MLB Player News

Eovaldi was diagnosed with a low-grade right oblique strain Monday and is expected to have his next start pushed back to the Rangers' four-game series with the Twins this weekend, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

After being pulled from his latest start this past Saturday against the Yankees with what the Rangers described as right side tightness, Eovaldi was sent back to Texas to meet with Dr. Keith Meister. Eovaldi received encouraging results from his MRI, and the Rangers are apparently optimistic that he will avoid a trip to the injured list and be able to pitch through the oblique strain. While the right-hander doesn't sound like he'll be an option to take the hill for Thursday's series opener versus Minnesota on his usual four days' rest, he could be plugged back into the rotation at some point Friday through Sunday. The Rangers will likely wait for Eovaldi to complete a bullpen session later this week before locking him in for his next start.

Stroman (8-6) earned the win over Texas on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out one batter over five innings.

Stroman's one punchout wasn't ideal from a fantasy perspective, but it didn't impact his ability to notch his first victory since June 22. The veteran righty had posted a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP during the six-game winless stretch, so he'll perhaps look to Sunday's performance as a potential turnaround point. Stroman's next outing is tentatively lined up to take place in Detroit this weekend.

Pepiot (knee) struck out seven batters over 3.1 scoreless innings while scattering one hit and two walks in his rehab start Saturday with Double-A Montgomery.

Pepiot tossed 69 pitches in the rehab outing, which should be the only minor-league start he needs before making his return from the 15-day injured list. The Rays have seemingly already reopened a spot in the rotation for Pepiot, as the club optioned Tyler Alexander -- who had been functioning as the de facto No. 5 starter -- to Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Pepiot rejoined the Rays on Sunday and played catch at Tropicana Field, and he'll likely throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday before Tampa Bay locks him in for a start this weekend versus the Diamondbacks.

The Twins are expected to call up Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul this week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Minnesota has an opening in its rotation Tuesday against the Royals, and Matthews looks poised to fill that spot for what will be his MLB debut. The right-hander boasts a 2.60 ERA and 114:7 K:BB over 97 innings covering three stops in the minors in 2024. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) both expected to miss several more weeks of action, Matthews will have an opportunity to pitch his way into additional starts with the big club.

Castillo (10-11) got the win over the Mets on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings.

Castillo was engaged in a pitcher's duel with Luis Severino heading into the fifth inning before the Mariners were able to provide him with some cushion on the scoreboard. The lone run against him came on a sixth-inning solo home run by Jeff McNeil. Castillo racked up nine strikeouts for a second straight start and went on a run in the game during which he struck out five consecutive batters. He's now recorded seven straight quality starts while allowing one or fewer runs four times. Castillo owns a 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 148:40 K:BB in 148.1 innings and will look to keep rolling in a matchup with the Pirates over the weekend his next time on the mound.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 6.2 scoreless innings.

Suarez has been outstanding since taking Grayson Rodriguez's (lat) spot in the rotation, delivering back-to-back scoreless starts with an 11:3 K:BB during that span. With Rodriguez not expected to return until September, Suarez looks to be locked in for several starts. However, fantasy managers should proceed with caution considering the 34-year-old gave up three or more runs in five of eight starts prior to the scoreless outings and has a 72:33 K:BB on the year. Suarez is tentatively scheduled to face the Red Sox next.

Springs didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Baltimore, allowing one run on six hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out eight.

Springs rebounded from a four-run start against St. Louis with Sunday's gem, fanning eight batters after combining for six Ks in his first two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander was pulled after 83 pitches (58 strikes) and hasn't reached the 90-pitch threshold since being activated. In 13.2 innings, Springs has yielded seven runs with a 14:4 K:BB. He's on track to face the Diamondbacks next time out.

Montero (3-5) allowed four runs on five hits across five innings of work to earn the win Sunday against the Giants. He walked four and struck out two.

While Montero managed to earn his second straight win, he was much less effective Sunday compared to his last outing Tuesday, when he allowed just one run over six innings. Overall, the rookie now has a 5.76 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 54.2 innings, making him a risky fantasy proposition moving forward. He at least has been a little bit better lately, turning in a 4.50 ERA across his last three appearances. Montero will aim for his third straight win when he takes the mound again next weekend against the Yankees, which projects to be a tricky matchup for the young righty.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Sunday in an appearance on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio that Schmidt (lat) will begin a rehab assignment around Aug. 22 and is tracking toward a return from the 60-day injured list in the second week of September, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Schmidt and manager Aaron Boone had both recently expressed optimism that the right-hander would return from the IL before the end of August, but that now appears unlikely, unless the Yankees opt to have Schmidt prepare for a bullpen role upon his activation. At least for the time being, the Yankees seem content to have Schmidt get stretched back out for a starting role, which means he'll need to build up his pitch count over two or three minor-league outings before rejoining the big club. Schmidt is slated to throw around 30 pitches in a live batting practice session Wednesday, and perhaps another after that before reporting to an affiliate.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Boyd (elbow) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's contest at home versus the Cubs, Nick Camino of 3 News Cleveland reports.

Boyd has missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he looks set to make his season and Guardians debuts Tuesday. The left-hander has completed five rehab starts with multiple minor-league affiliates, including Triple-A Columbus, producing an impressive 0.83 ERA with 27 punchouts over 21.2 innings. Boyd reached 63 pitches in his most recent start Wednesday with Columbus, so he'll likely still be on some sort of pitch limit against Chicago.