MLB Player News

Buehler (6-6) earned the win Saturday in Washington, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out two.

Buehler certainly wasn't dominant, as he induced just seven whiffs on 100 pitches (65 strikes) and tied a season low in strikeouts, but the two earned runs allowed are his best mark since May 25. The veteran right-hander entered Saturday's contest having walked 14 batters across his prior three outings, and it was just his second start of the season issuing no free passes. Despite the bounce-back performance, Buehler's 6.25 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through 15 starts this year don't inspire much confidence.

Gusto will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It seems like Gusto may have a leg up on Colton Gordon, who was the other candidate to start Sunday. Gusto has a 5.33 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB in 25.1 innings over his last five starts. He has done well at limiting walks and racking up Ks (seven-plus strikeouts in three of his last four starts), but Gusto has given up four homers in his last three starts. He could get a final first-half start next weekend against the Rangers if he sticks in the rotation past Sunday.

Bradley didn't factor in the decision in Saturday's loss to the Twins. He gave up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk over 5.2 innings.

The right-hander limited Minnesota to a single run through five frames but ran into trouble in the sixth as he fell an out short of a quality start. Bradley has just one victory in his past eight starts and has a 5.05 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 41 innings during that stretch. His final outing before the All-Star break lines up to come in Boston next week.

Scherzer gave up two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings Saturday in a no-decision against the Angels and dealt with significant thumb inflammation during the start, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer said after the outing that he was optimistic he'd make his next scheduled start with an extra day of rest, adding that he battled to take the ball Saturday, failing to accomplish the normal weight lifting and bullpens that he typically does in between starts. "I rely on feel," Scherzer said after Saturday's start. "I really didn't have that going into this." He was on a pitch count of around 70, and while it's possible he'll go deeper into his scheduled start next week Friday in Sacramento, it's also possible that his thumb inflammation doesn't subside and he gets scratched or pushed back.

Gil (lat) may be ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.

Gil threw a live bullpen Thursday, and his next step could be to pitch in a minor-league contest. The right-hander hasn't logged any game action at all this season, as he was diagnosed with a high-grade right lat strain early in spring training. Gil is expected to be built up to 45-to-50 pitches at this point, so he'll likely need to make several rehab starts before he's ready to join New York's rotation.

Yarbrough (oblique) has yet to resume throwing, per MLB.com.

Yarbrough has been out of action since June 18 due to a right oblique strain. While he's now eligible to be activated from the IL, it appears the left-hander may need to wait until after the All-Star break to rejoin the Yankees. Manager Aaron Boone did mention Saturday that Yarbrough is "getting over the hump" and may begin throwing soon.

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander worked three scoreless innings Friday against the Dodgers to pick up the first save of his MLB career, but he'll be sent back to Triple-A to free a spot in the bullpen for the newly signed Hector Neris. Alexander's 1.72 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in the minors this season, haven't quite translated into big-league success, as he's given up 14 earned runs over 15 innings between the Astros and Athletics.

The Yankees are expected to call up Schlittler from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start either Tuesday or Wednesday against the Mariners in New York, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

With Clarke Schmidt (forearm) likely destined for season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Yankees will turn to one of their top pitching prospects to fill the hole in their starting rotation. Schlittler, 24, owns a 3.80 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through five starts (23.2 innings) at Triple-A, though nearly all of the damage done against him came during his most recent outing Tuesday, when he allowed seven runs (six earned) in 2.1 innings.

The Guardians optioned Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Just two days after being promoted to Cleveland, Nikhazy will head back to Triple-A following his one-inning shutout performance Friday. His departure clears a spot on the active roster for Paul Sewald (shoulder) to return from the injured list.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Houck (elbow) will make another rehab start in the minors this week, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Houck turned in the best performance of his rehab assignment so far Friday at Double-A Portland, firing five shutout innings while striking out four batters. The upcoming All-Star break makes it hard to predict when the 29-year-old right-hander will rejoin the Red Sox, though he likely isn't too far away from activation.