MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list as soon as this weekend for the Astros' four-game series against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Garcia's latest rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday went well, as he struck out five over six innings of one-run ball. He averaged 91.7 miles per hour and topped out at 93.5 mph with his four-seamer, which is notably down from the 94 mph he averaged in his last full season in 2022. Still, while Garcia has had numerous starts and stops during his comeback from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, the results have been solid during his rehab assignment, as he holds a 3.30 ERA and 38:7 K:BB over 30 innings. The Astros are currently using a six-man rotation; they could either keep that setup in place and have Garcia replace Jason Alexander, or they could pair Garcia with another hurler -- likely Cristian Javier or Lance McCullers -- for piggyback starts.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Minnesota, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits across 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

It was a rough outing for the left-hander, who gave up a season-high four homers before departing with two outs in the fifth inning. Prior to Wednesday, Lauer had not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his first 14 starts this year. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.21 with a 1.13 WHIP and 91:25 K:BB across 92.2 innings this season. Per manager John Schneider, Lauer will likely move into the bullpen down the stretch with Shane Bieber returning to the rotation.

Mize (12-5) took the loss against the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings.

Mize struggled from the outset -- after facing four batters, he had already given up three baserunners and a run. The right-hander's outing didn't get much better, as he gave up three runs in the second frame and another in the fourth before he was pulled having recorded just one out in that inning. Overall, Mize finished with five runs on his ledger, the second most he's given up in a game this year. He'll try to right the ship in his next start, which lines up to come against the Mets at home next week.

Morales (2-0) earned the win over the Tigers on Wednesday, tossing seven scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.

Morales got stronger as the game progressed -- he allowed three baserunners over his first three innings but only one across his final three frames. The right-hander notched 11 whiffs among his 91 pitches and recorded his third straight quality start. Morales made his MLB debut out of the bullpen Aug. 1 and has started in each of his four outings since. He's been a revelation for the Athletics, compiling a 1.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 22.2 total innings. Morales will try to keep rolling in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be on the road in St. Louis.

Civale (3-9) took the loss Wednesday against the Royals, allowing five runs on five hits and one walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Civale has now yielded at least four runs in three of his last four outings, which comes on the heels of a three-start streak with no earned runs allowed. Through 67 innings overall since landing with the White Sox, the 33-year-old right-hander has a shaky 5.37 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 55:26 K:BB over 67 frames. Civale is next set to toe the rubber against the division-rival Twins, who have a weak .693 OPS since the beginning of August.

Bergert (2-1) notched the win Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out three.

Bergert continues to be an effective starter with the Royals, having now pitched at least five innings while conceding two runs or fewer in five consecutive starts for his new team. The rookie right-hander also fired a season-high six frames Wednesday. With Cole Ragans (shoulder) yet to go on a rehab assignment, Bergert should be locked in for at least another handful of turns in Kansas City's rotation. He holds a promising 2.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB across 64 innings in 2025, and Bergert is tentatively scheduled to face the Angels early next week.

Kochanowicz (3-11) took the loss Wednesday against Texas, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on nine hits and three walks with one strikeout across 3.1 innings.

Kochanowicz had the worst start of his young career, giving up a career-worst three home runs in just 3.1 innings. The three long balls accounted for eight of the 11 runs Kochanowicz yielded, with Adolis Garcia and Joc Pederson swatting three-run homers and Corey Seager hitting a two-run shot. Kochanowicz hadn't allowed more than eight runs in an appearance at any level since starting his professional career in 2021. There is an opportunity for Kochanowicz to make another trip through the Angels' rotation while Victor Mederos is on the shelf, though the organization could look elsewhere after Wednesday's shelling further inflated his ERA to 6.81. Kochanowicz will likely face the Royals in Kansas City if he remains in the rotation.

Valdez (12-7) picked up the win Wednesday against Colorado, allowing three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Valdez was in dire need of a get-right start, having surrendered 21 runs (19 earned) with a 12:10 K:BB across his past four starts (23.1 innings), and he responded with one of his best performances of the season. Wednesday's outing marked his first shutout start since June 29 and ended a run of five straight winless outings. The 31-year-old left-hander will look to carry some momentum into his next start, which is slated to come against the Yankees next week.

Woods Richardson did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

After missing some time due to a parasite in his digestive tract, it was a tough outing for Woods Richardson in his first appearance since July 28. The right-hander gave up a season-high three home runs, including two off the bat of Davis Schneider. Overall, Woods Richardson sports a 4.59 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and 71:37 K:BB across 84.1 innings this season. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the White Sox.

Festa (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Shoulder inflammation has kept Festa out of commission since late July, but after throwing live BP on Saturday without any issues, he's been given the green light to return to game action. Given the duration of his absence, there's a good chance the 25-year-old will require multiple rehab starts before returning from the IL, though he should still be able to make it back before the end of the regular season.