MLB Player News

Lopez allowed six hits and three walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.

Lopez wasn't dominant, but he was good enough for the first six innings. He threw 71 of 107 pitches for strikes, but his strong outing went to waste when Jorge Alcala gave up five runs in the seventh inning. This was Lopez's first scoreless outing since June 23, but he's managed to earn a quality start in five of his last six appearances. For the year, he has a 4.47 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 152:32 K:BB through 141 innings over 25 starts. Lopez is projected to make his next start at home versus the Cardinals.

Matthews is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Padres at Petco Park.

The Twins called up both Matthews and Louie Varland from Triple-A St. Paul last week to make starts, but after Varland was sent back to the minors following his outing, Matthews will stick around as the fifth member of the big-league rotation. After producing an eye-popping 114:7 K:BB in 97 innings across three stops in the minors this season prior to his call-up, Matthews continued to exhibit sharp control in his MLB debut last Tuesday, striking out five and giving up two earned runs on five hits and no walks over five innings en route to notching a win over the Royals. Matthews tentatively lines up for two starts during the upcoming week, with his second turn set to come next Sunday at home versus the Cardinals.

Boyle is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Rays at Oakland Coliseum.

After getting recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas last Tuesday, Boyle immediately stepped into the rotation as a replacement for Ross Stripling, who was sent to the bullpen. In his first start for Oakland since May 5, Boyle took a no-decision in a 9-4 win over the Mets, striking out six over four innings while allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks. Through eight outings overall in the big leagues this season, Boyle owns a 2-5 record and 7.39 ERA across 31.2 innings.

Mahle allowed four runs on six hits and struck out one without walking a batter over three innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Sunday.

Mahle struggled early, giving up three runs in the first inning to his former team. Ryan Jeffers had a two-run blast in that frame and an RBI single in the third, and Mahle was done at 61 pitches (41 strikes), making this the shortest of his three starts since he returned from Tommy John surgery. He's pitched to a 4.97 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 12.2 innings in those appearances. He's tentatively projected for a road start in Cleveland in his next outing.

The Angels are expected to select Cueto's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake during the upcoming week, Hector Gomez of Z101Digital.com reports.

Cueto has been pitching with Salt Lake since signing a minor-league deal with the Angels on July 20. Through four starts, he's maintained a 3.09 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while working at least five innings on each occasion. He should slot into the rotation while Jose Soriano (arm) is on the shelf. Wednesday's game in Kansas City looks to be the first chance Cueto will have to make a start in Soriano's stead.

Kirby (9-9) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Pirates. He struck out five.

Kirby scattered just two hits through the first five innings as the Mariners provided the righty a 7-0 cushion. A Joey Bart two-run homer in the sixth was the first and only blemish against Kirby, who contributed his 16th quality start of the season. The 26-year-old righty put a halt to the Mariners' five-game skid, rebounding from allowing career highs in runs (11) and hits (13) against Detroit in his last start to allow two runs or fewer for the 17th time over 25 starts. He'll carry a 3.40 ERA and 1.08 WHIP into a scheduled home matchup next week against the Giants.

Scherzer (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday and is scheduled to pitch again Wednesday, possibly in a rehab start or live batting practice, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday and was quickly back on the mound Sunday, which is encouraging as he makes his return from a bout of shoulder soreness that required a nerve injection. Scherzer last took the mound for Texas in late July, and he could be back in the rotation before the end of August if he can continue trending in the right direction Wednesday.

Blanco (finger) is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Red Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander reported some finger soreness after being hit by a comebacker during his previous start Wednesday, but he'll be ready to make his next turn through the rotation Tuesday versus Boston. Blanco has pitched well in his first three starts of August with a 2.40 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 15 innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Verlander (neck) is tentatively scheduled to return from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against Boston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander completed his second rehab outing Thursday with Double-A Corpus Christi, tossing 57 pitches over four innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks while striking out five. The 41-year-old threw a live bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, and Espada and the Astros staff apparently came away satisfied with how the right-hander looked during the workout. Verlander is now on track to make his first start for the Astros since June 9, after a stiff neck had kept him on the shelf for more than two months. Across 10 starts with Houston this season, Verlander has gone 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 57 frames.

Canning (4-11) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and one walk over 4.1 innings while striking out three.

Canning got himself into trouble right out of the gate, allowing three consecutive hits to open the contest, including a three-run shot off the bat of Marcell Ozuna. The right-hander would surrender another run in the second, along with a second long ball in the fifth, marking the first time he's coughed up multiple homers since June 13 against the Diamondbacks. The seven runs charged to Canning on Saturday also marked a season high, and he's now lost three of his last four decisions (spanning eight starts).