MLB Player News

Blubaugh will start Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blubaugh was added to Houston's taxi squad Tuesday while the team debated on relying on its bullpen or a spot starter Wednesday to give Hayden Wesneski a couple of extra days to rest. The Astros opted for the latter, creating an opportunity for the 24-year-old righty to make his MLB debut. Blubaugh has turned in a 3.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 21 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land this season, and he'll be welcomed to the majors by the American League's fourth-highest scoring offense.

Olson (3-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Astros after allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

En route to matching a season high with seven punchouts, Olson induced an outstanding 18 whiffs Tuesday. However, he tied a season worst in walks, and the hurler's three runs allowed were his most since he gave up four in the April 11 game against the Twins. Through his first 33 innings of the campaign, Olson owns a solid 3.55 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB. The right-hander has also yielded just one home run in six starts in 2025, but his ability to keep the ball in the yard will be tested in his next scheduled start against the Angels, who entered Tuesday ranked fifth in MLB in homers (39) as a team.

DeGrom (1-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Athletics after allowing four hits and no walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner found himself in vintage form Tuesday, producing 16 whiffs while delivering his first scoreless outing since his first start of the season. While he did toss a season-low 65 pitches, the oft-injured deGrom's reduced workload was likely a byproduct of the Rangers taking a commanding 12-0 lead in the sixth inning. After a shaky first three starts of the year, during which he conceded four homers, the right-hander has a sparkling 1.47 ERA and 20:1 K:BB over his last three appearances (18.1 innings). DeGrom's next start is set to come this weekend at home against the hard-hitting Mariners, who entered Tuesday ranked third in MLB in home runs (42).

Gibson (0-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings.

Gibson spent the first six weeks of the season getting stretched out in extended spring training and the minors after signing a one-year deal with the Orioles on March 21. His first outing of the year couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, as the 37-year-old gave up three-straight home runs in the first inning before yielding a fourth to Cody Bellinger in the same frame. Gibson was mercifully pulled in the fourth inning after giving up a two-run double, tossing 73 pitches (44 strikes) with seven whiffs in his 2025 debut. He'll look to rebound in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Twins.

Rodon (4-3) earned the win against the Orioles on Tuesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings.

While a returning Kyle Gibson struggled in his 2025 debut, Rodon pitched a perfect five innings before issuing a walk and a run in the sixth. Rodon yielded another run in the seventh inning on a Gunnar Henderson solo shot, which prompted the former's removal from Tuesday's game. Rodon has logged three quality starts in a row and sports a 3.43 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 42 innings, and his 52 punchouts rank third in the majors behind MacKenzie Gore (59) and Zack Wheeler (57). Rodon's next start is slated for next week at home against the Padres.

Bradley (2-2) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over seven frames Tuesday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Royals.

Bradley gave up a run in each of the first two innings but settled in for his longest start of the year. He threw over 100 pitches for the second consecutive outing but generated only six whiffs. His usual strikeout numbers have vanished as of late; after beginning the year with exactly seven punchouts in each of his first three starts, Bradley has recorded only eight strikeouts in his last three appearances. He now owns a 29:15 K:BB with a 4.58 ERA through 35.1 innings. Bradley's next outing is projected to be on the road against the Yankees this weekend.

Lorenzen (3-3) yielded a run on four hits and two walks over six innings Tuesday, striking out four and picking up a win against the Rays.

Lorenzen faced little resistance from the Rays' lineup aside from Junior Caminero, who hit a double and a solo homer against him. It was Lorenzen's third quality start of the year, all of which have resulted in wins. He was efficient Tuesday, with 60 of his 88 pitches being thrown for strikes. Lorenzen dropped his season ERA to 3.48 with a 28:13 K:BB through 33.2 frames. He's in line for a home matchup against the White Sox next week.

Manager Joe Espada said McCullers (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the Astros determine whether he's ready to be reinstated from the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has a 2.84 ERA and 16:6 K:BB across four rehab outings, and if all goes well Wednesday, he could make his next start in the majors. McCullers hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 while recovering from arm issues, so it's a good idea to keep expectations in check despite his track record as a top-level starter prior to the injuries.

Blubaugh is with the Astros as a member of the taxi squad and is a candidate to start Wednesday against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hayden Wesneski is being pushed back in the rotation a couple days to provide him some extra rest, so Houston is in need of a spot starter. However, Blubaugh isn't guaranteed to start since the Astros have a team day off Thursday, so a bullpen day could be employed if the unit is in good shape after Tuesday's contest. The right-hander has a 3.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 21 innings so far this season with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Wesneski is healthy but won't make his scheduled turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Tigers in order to get him some extra rest, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander labored in his last start Friday versus the Royals, as he issued three walks after handing out just one in his first four starts of the year. Wesneski has worked as a swingman in the majors prior to this year with 22 starts in 68 appearances, so it's not a huge surprise he'll require some extra rest here and there. The Astros haven't announced who will start instead Wednesday, but A.J. Blubaugh is a likely candidate and is on the taxi squad, per Rome. Wesneski now appears poised to take the mound Friday on the road versus the White Sox.