MLB Player News

Dunning is an option to make a spot start Saturday versus the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McFarland lists Dunning and Cody Bradford as the most logical options to make the start and the decision could hinge on whether either of them are needed in relief Friday. Whoever makes the start is likely to return to the bullpen after, as Tyler Mahle (elbow) is due to return next week. Dunning has made two relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury last week, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session in the next few days before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Espada said Verlander faced hitters for "between 27 and 30 pitches" Tuesday in Houston, with the right-hander's fastball velocity peaking around 94 miles per hour. Verlander looks poised to throw again Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely report to an affiliate shortly thereafter. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since June 18 with neck stiffness, but he may need just one start in the minors before Houston is comfortable reinserting him into its rotation.

Pepiot (knee) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions since landing on the injured list July 21 following a brief hospitalization due to a right knee infection, which is believed to have stemmed from a spider bite. The right-hander experienced significant swelling to his knee as a result of the infection, but he was cleared to resume throwing last week once the inflammation subsided. Pepiot is now in the process of building back up, and if Friday's side session goes well, he could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. Given the brevity of his stay on the IL thus far, Pepiot could get the green light to rejoin the Tampa Bay rotation as soon as next week without the need of a rehab assignment.

Bradford (rib/back) gave up five earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Bradford had started in each of his first three appearances of the season with the Rangers before he landed on the injured list in mid-April with a stress fracture in his rib as well as a lower-back strain. With the Rangers set to get some reinforcements to their rotation in August with the expected returns of Tyler Mahle (elbow) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) from the IL, Bradford prepared for a relief role during his rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 60-day IL on Monday. The Rangers turned to Bradford out of the bullpen a day later, and he had an outing to forget versus the Cardinals, with Tommy Pham's grand slam representing most of the damage against the right-hander. After Jon Gray's (groin) surprise placement on the IL on Monday, the Rangers will have an opening in the rotation this weekend in Boston, but Bradford's poor showing out of the bullpen Tuesday was enough to take him out of consideration. Jose Urena will instead be called upon to make a start Friday.

Woo (hamstring) is scheduled to start Friday against the Phillies at T-Mobile Park.

Woo's status for the weekend series with the Phillies had been in question after he departed his latest start this past Saturday in Chicago due to a right hamstring discomfort. Even though Woo spent time on the injured list earlier in July with an injury to the same hamstring, the Mariners were apparently encouraged enough with how he checked out during his post-start throwing sessions to clear him for the Philadelphia series. Woo has had two separate stints on the IL this season, has been scratched from a start and has exited early in three starts, but he's been excellent overall during his time on the mound, posting a 2.35 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 53.2 innings.

Boyd (elbow) struck out five over 3.2 innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks in his rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Columbus.

Boyd's innings total represented a step back from his last two rehab outings, when he covered four and five innings over his starts July 21 and 26, respectively, with Double-A Akron. Even so, he pushed up his pitch count to 63 in the fourth start overall of his rehab assignment and featured a fastball that maxed out at 93.5 miles per hour, a couple ticks above his average from the 2023 season. Boyd continues to look good as he works his way back from last June's Tommy John surgery, and he may require just one more rehab start before he becomes an option for the Cleveland rotation. Boyd and Alex Cobb (hip) both seem to be on similar timelines for returning from the injured list, but the Guardians could have room in the rotation for both pitchers if they opt to move the struggling Carlos Carrasco to the bullpen, or perhaps even off the roster.

Lugo (13-5) earned the win over Detroit on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over eight innings.

Lugo didn't allow any extra-base hits and gave up just a fourth-inning run en route to his 13th victory of the campaign. He's now tied with Atlanta's Chris Sale and Baltimore's Grayson Rodriguez for the league lead in that category. Lugo has alternated good and poor starts of late -- he yielded five runs over five frames July 13 and six runs over 6.1 innings July 27, but in between was a one-run, complete-game performance versus the White Sox on July 21.

Montero (1-5) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk across seven innings to take the loss Thursday against the Royals. He struck out three.

Montero ran into a hot Kansas City team and took his third straight loss. In those appearances, the rookie has allowed 14 earned runs across 17.1 innings, pushing his season ERA up to an unsightly 6.18. The biggest issue for Montero lately has been home runs, as he's allowed six during his losing streak. The Tigers figure to be patient with the 24-year-old and let him figure some things out down the stretch. Montero is penciled in to take the mound again next week against the Mariners on the road.

Rogers (2-10) took the loss against Cleveland on Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings.

Rogers was acquired in a trade with the Marlins on Tuesday to bolster the Orioles' rotation, but he didn't fare well in the first start with his new club. The left-hander gave up a pair of runs in the first inning and three more in the third, and he was pulled after issuing a one-out walk in the fifth. The five earned runs were the second-most Rogers has given up in a game this season, and Thursday marked the first time he's given up more than three runs in a start since June 2. Rogers will look to make a better impression the next time he takes the mound, which is tentatively slated to be in Toronto next week.

Lively (10-6) earned the win over Baltimore on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innnings.

Lively gave up a run in the first frame, but Cleveland's offense put up five runs by the end of third to take a comfortable lead. The right-hander surrendered another run on a fourth-inning Anthony Santander homer, and that was all the Orioles offense managed against him. Lively notched his second straight quality start and has now given up two or fewer runs in four consecutive outings. He's in the midst of a breakout campaign with 10 victories along with a 3.42 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 90:30 K:BB over 105.2 innings.