Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that McCullers is available to pitch out of the bullpen, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada described the move as "short-term" and noted that McCullers is an option to start Monday's game against the Angels. Luis Garcia (elbow) is also an option to return from the 60-day injured list start Monday, and the two could be used in tandem if McCullers isn't needed out of the bullpen Thursday versus the Rockies or during the first three games of the series with the Angels over the weekend. In his most recent start this past Friday in Baltimore following his return from the IL, McCullers yielded three runs and walked five over four innings. He's now sitting on a 6.89 ERA in 12 starts this season.

Basso allowed no hits and a walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Tigers.

Basso made his season debut for the Athletics, tossing a scoreless ninth inning to close out an impressive sweep of the Tigers. The southpaw has spent most of the year sidelined by a left shoulder strain suffered in March, then was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas upon activation Aug. 11 before being recalled ahead of Wednesday's contest. Though a starter by trade, Basso has been working out of the bullpen since returning from injury.

The Red Sox could promote Tolle from Triple-A Worcester to start or make a bulk-relief appearance in Friday's game against the Pirates, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Boston has confirmed that Dustin May will start the second game of the series Saturday, and Lucas Giolito appears on track to start Sunday's series finale, but the club still has an opening in its rotation for Friday after Richard Fitts (arm) was removed from his bulk-relief appearance in Monday's game against the Orioles before landing on the injured list. Kyle Harrison -- who is already on the Red Sox's 40-man roster -- made an abbreviated three-inning start for Worcester on Tuesday to keep him in play for a promotion to the big leagues Friday, but Tolle has established himself as the organization's top pitching prospect this season and may have done enough to make a case for his first MLB call-up. After accruing a 2.93 ERA and racking up 116 punchouts across 76.2 innings through his first 17 outings of the season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland, the 22-year-old lefty has continued to shine since moving up to Worcester earlier this month. Through three starts at Triple-A, Tolle has accrued a 3.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 15 innings.

High-A Greenville reinstated Valera (elbow) from its 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Valera has yet to return to action for Greenville since being activated, but he's apparently healthy again after he was recently able to face hitters in live batting practice. Before being shelved in late May due to right elbow soreness, Valera turned in a 5.40 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB in 33.1 innings over eight starts for Greenville.

Yesavage allowed one run on two hits and two walks over 4.2 innings for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He struck out five.

After a bumpy debut at Triple-A on Aug. 14, the 22-year-old right-hander has a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB in 9.1 innings over his last two starts. Yesavage has pitched at four levels in his first pro campaign, and the 2024 first-round pick could make it five if the Blue Jays add him to the big-league bullpen in September.

The Orioles designated Contreras for assignment Thursday.

Contreras fared well in a bulk-relief appearance during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox, striking out a pair over 4.1 scoreless innings. However, he will now lose his spot on the roster as the Orioles clear room in the bullpen for waiver pickup Shawn Dubin. If Contreras clears waivers, he would have the ability to elect free agency.

Garcia (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list as soon as this weekend for the Astros' four-game series against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Garcia's latest rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday went well, as he struck out five over six innings of one-run ball. He averaged 91.7 miles per hour and topped out at 93.5 mph with his four-seamer, which is notably down from the 94 mph he averaged in his last full season in 2022. Still, while Garcia has had numerous starts and stops during his comeback from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, the results have been solid during his rehab assignment, as he holds a 3.30 ERA and 38:7 K:BB over 30 innings. The Astros are currently using a six-man rotation; they could either keep that setup in place and have Garcia replace Jason Alexander, or they could pair Garcia with another hurler -- likely Cristian Javier or Lance McCullers -- for piggyback starts.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Minnesota, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits across 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

It was a rough outing for the left-hander, who gave up a season-high four homers before departing with two outs in the fifth inning. Prior to Wednesday, Lauer had not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his first 14 starts this year. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.21 with a 1.13 WHIP and 91:25 K:BB across 92.2 innings this season. Per manager John Schneider, Lauer will likely move into the bullpen down the stretch with Shane Bieber returning to the rotation.

Mize (12-5) took the loss against the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings.

Mize struggled from the outset -- after facing four batters, he had already given up three baserunners and a run. The right-hander's outing didn't get much better, as he gave up three runs in the second frame and another in the fourth before he was pulled having recorded just one out in that inning. Overall, Mize finished with five runs on his ledger, the second most he's given up in a game this year. He'll try to right the ship in his next start, which lines up to come against the Mets at home next week.

Morales (2-0) earned the win over the Tigers on Wednesday, tossing seven scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.

Morales got stronger as the game progressed -- he allowed three baserunners over his first three innings but only one across his final three frames. The right-hander notched 11 whiffs among his 91 pitches and recorded his third straight quality start. Morales made his MLB debut out of the bullpen Aug. 1 and has started in each of his four outings since. He's been a revelation for the Athletics, compiling a 1.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 22.2 total innings. Morales will try to keep rolling in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be on the road in St. Louis.