MLB Player News

Keuchel (3-9) allowed two runs on five hits, struck out six and walked none over seven innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Saturday.

It was his best outing since May 28 and would have been his first victory since then too, but the Astros bullpen gave up the lead in the ninth before the offense scored the winning run in extra innings. Keuchel now has an excellent 40:4 KK/B ratio in 38.1 innings over his last six starts, yet he owns a 5.17 ERA during that stretch. His next start will be Friday against the Royals.

Walker (foot) threw a brief bullpen session Friday and said he has "no concerns" about making his scheduled start Sunday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Walker has been dealing with a foot injury, but he insists that it's only minor, and at this point his status for Sunday's start does not look to be in much - if any - doubt.

Rodriguez will start Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

Rodriguez was initially slated to start Tuesday, but the Sox will push him back a day to allow for ample rest following a scheduled bullpen session Monday. Clay Buchholz, the original Wednesday starter, will now start Tuesday's game.

Cobb (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Saturday and was "very happy" with the results, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cobb, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was pleased with how his arm felt after throwing 15 fastballs off a mound. The Rays will continue to bring him along slowly with their eye on a late-July or early-August return.

Miley (shoulder) is expected to miss only a couple starts and be ready to pitch when he is eligible to return from the disabled list June 28, the Seattle Times reports.

Miley said his shoulder acted up after his start on June 12, when he went only five innings. His previous five starts were a mix of inconsistency and just plain bad. In that span, he had two scoreless outings and an 11.05 ERA in the other three. Fortunately for him, he averaged an incredible 9.1 runs of support in that span, winning three games. "We thought it was best to shut him down and give him a chance to regroup," manager Scott Servais said. "If everything goes well, he'll only miss a couple of starts."

Kopech (hand) allowed four hits and four walks, but no runs, in 4.1 innings in his season debut for short-season Lowell on Friday, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports. "It was obviously big getting out there in front of a crowd under the lights," Kopech said. "I was a little worked up in the first couple of innings. Kind of had to settle down. Didn't have the stuff I wanted to have, but it's the first outing back."

It was an encouraging first night out for Kopech, who suffered a fractured hand during spring training, though signs of rust were evident. Just 42 of his 78 pitches were strikes and he allowed the first batter to reach in his first four innings. The 2014 first-round draft pick was a bit pumped, hitting the high-90s with his fastball in the first inning, but dropped down to the low-to-mid 90s thereafter. The organization decided to have him throw in the atmosphere of a stadium under the lights, rather than in the low-pressure environment of extended spring training. It remains to be seen how long he stays in Lowell, but it shouldn't be too long.

Rodriguez met with manager John Farrell and pitching coach Carl Willis to discuss his recent string of poor outings, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. "There was a lot covered in the meeting," Farrell said.

Aside from the pitch-tipping that continues to plague the young left-hander, an inability to keep pitches over the plate but out of the middle has wreaked havoc in his last three outings. Rodriguez has walked nine and given up six homers in his last 14.2 innings. He had incorporated a tweak in his delivery this spring -- taking a step back toward third base with his lead leg before getting into his windup -- trying to compensate for the whatever limitations he felt while recovering from a knee injury. The session with coaches discussed having him begin his delivery directly toward home plate, eliminating the step back toward third base. "There are some things because of the change in the delivery that's not put him in a position to consistently execute pitches," Farrell said. "That's what we're addressing."

Quintana didn't factor the decision against the Indians on Friday, surrendering seven hits, two earned runs and a walk over 7.2 innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw turned in yet another strong effort, and once again was undermined by a lack of run support. Quintana didn't surrender any homers after uncharacteristically yielding three round-trippers in his previous start, notching his fourth quality start over his last five trips to the mound in the process. He did surrender a go-ahead double to Jason Kipnis in the eighth, but was bailed out of a potential seventh straight loss when Avisail Garcia hit a game-tying double in the top of the ninth. He'll look to finally get back into the win column next Wednesday versus the Red Sox.

Milone was recalled by the Twins on Friday, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.

Milone is presumed to take over Pat Dean's spot in the rotation after Dean was optioned to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move Friday. After five earlier appearances this season for the Twins, including four starts, Milone currently sits with a 5.79 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.

McCullers allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six over 6.2 innings, but received no decision Friday against the Reds.

Despite allowing 11 baserunners, a pair of double plays helped McCullers hold the Reds to only two runs in his six innings of work. He's now allowed 32 baserunners in his last 18 innings of work over three starts, raising his WHIP to 1.69. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Angels.