MLB Player News

Kikuchi allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings in Sunday's win over the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

Kikuchi cruised through four innings but allowed a leadoff single and then a walk in the fifth before Ramon Urias tied the game up with a three-run homer. Kikuchi went on to strike out the next three batters he faced but was pulled after a two-out walk in the sixth. Walks have been an issue for the lefty, as he's issued multiple walks in six of his last eight starts and hasn't reached six innings in any of them. Still, he's been a quality deadline addition for the Astros and now owns a 4.39 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 165:40 K:BB in 143.2 innings. Kikuchi lines up to face the Royals in his next start over the weekend.

Kremer allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings in Sunday's loss to the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.

Kremer held the Astros scoreless through three innings before they rallied for three runs against him in the fourth with five hits in the inning. Otherwise, Kremer posted a strong outing and put together his third straight quality start. The 28-year-old allowed nine runs in 9.1 innings in his first two starts this month but has rebounded with just five runs allowed over his last 18 innings. For the year, Kremer owns a 4.31 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 96:43 K:BB in 102.1 innings. He lines up to face the Rockies on the road over the weekend his next time out.

Woo (6-2) picked up the win Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over seven innings against the Giants. He struck out seven.

A throwing error and a home run put Woo into a hole in the first, but he rebounded to allow just three singles over the final six scoreless innings of his outing to pick up the win. It was the fifth straight quality start for Woo, who has pitched into the seventh during each of those appearances, compiling a 1.59 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 31 strikeouts over 34 innings. He'll look for a sixth straight quality start in his next matchup, scheduled to take place in Anaheim against the hapless Angels.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Sunday that Carrasco (hip) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session by the middle of the week, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Until Antonetti spoke to the media Sunday, the club hadn't provided many updates on Carrasco's status since he landed on the injured list Aug. 9 with a left hip strain. Based on Antonetti's comments, Carrasco was able to resume throwing within the past week, and the 37-year-old right-hander will continue the ramp-up process when he faces hitters in the coming days. Alex Cobb (fingernail) is also scheduled for a live session later this week and appears on pace to beat Carrasco back from the IL, so the Guardians may not have room in the rotation for the latter pitcher once he's fully stretched out. Carrasco had posted a 5.64 ERA over 103.2 innings over his 21 starts this season prior to being shelved with the hip injury.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said that Cobb (fingernail) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The team hasn't provided an update regarding how Cobb felt coming out of the side session, but assuming he was able to throw all his pitches without being inhibited by the fractured nail on his right hand, he should throw a live batting practice session by the middle of the week. Given that Cobb was first placed on the 15-day injured list this past Monday due to the fingernail issue, he may not need a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Estes (6-6) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

Estes allowed a two-run homer by Gary Sanchez in the second inning but otherwise held the Brewers off the board to collect his sixth win of the season. After receiving a cup of coffee with the A's last season, Estes has been solid in his first full big-league season, carrying a 4.37 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Additionally, since allowing eight runs in a start against the Red Sox on July 9, he's been highly impressive, allowing no more than three runs in any of his last eight appearances while maintaining a 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 32 strikeouts over his last 44 innings. He'll look to continue this string of success in his next start, scheduled to take place in Arlington against the Rangers.

Marsh is scheduled to be called up from Triple-A Omaha to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader in Cleveland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals are expected to designate Marsh as their 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll most likely be returned to Omaha immediately after his start Monday. Marsh will be rejoining the big club for the first time since late July, when he lost his spot in the rotation following the Royals' trade-deadline addition of Michael Lorenzen. Over his 20 outings (19 starts) with Kansas City prior to his demotion, Marsh accrued a 4.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 93:32 K:BB in 101.1 innings.

Cantillo will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Monday and is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Nick Sandlin in the first game of the Guardians' doubleheader with the Royals, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Cantillo had started in each of his previous four appearances with the big club, but manager Stephen Vogt will have the young lefty work behind an opener with the hope of generating better results. The 24-year-old had been roughed up over his four starts with Cleveland, recording an 8.47 ERA and 1.76 WHIP while striking out 14 and issuing nine walks over 17 innings. He's likely to be returned to Columbus following the twin bill.

Irvin is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

The Orioles called Irvin up from Triple-A Norfolk last Wednesday to make his first start with the big club since June 30. Injuries have hit the Baltimore rotation hard recently, which has resulted in Irvin getting his third trial in a starting role despite the fact that he has produced an 8.80 ERA in 30.2 innings over his last nine outings in the majors. He'll be at risk of moving to the bullpen -- if not being removed from the 40-man roster -- as soon as Zach Eflin (shoulder) and/or Grayson Rodriguez (lat) return from the injured list.

Cueto is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Angels called Cueto up from Triple-A Salt Lake this past Wednesday to make his club debut as well as his first appearance in the majors of 2024. The 38-year-old righty was far from overpowering (one strikeout, three swinging strikes on 84 pitches) and took a loss to the Rangers, but he worked into the seventh inning and allowed three earned runs to come away with a quality start. So long as he can continue to eat innings effectively enough, Cueto should maintain a hold on a rotation spot, but his lack of strikeout upside limits his fantasy value.