MLB Player News

The Astros recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

The 26-year-old will presumably step into the rotation spot vacated by Ronel Blanco (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. The Astros don't currently have a starter listed for Sunday's home game versus the Mariners, so Gordon likely slot in to make a start that day, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The rookie lefty previously made two starts for the big club this season, giving up six earned runs while turning in a 10:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings.

The Astros placed Blanco on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right elbow inflammation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blanco's first examination Wednesday revealed inflammation in his elbow, which was all the Astros needed to hear to put him on the shelf for at least the next 15 days. It's still unknown exactly how much time the 31-year-old will miss, but his upcoming meeting with a second doctor should help the team determine the next steps in Blanco's recovery.

Rodon (6-3) notched another win after throwing six shutout innings Thursday against the Rangers. He allowed just two hits and walked two batters while striking out eight.

In a game where the only offense of the day came via a Jorbit Vivas solo homer, Rodon turned in perhaps his best performance of the season. After Thursday's gem, he's now surrendered one or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, including two scoreless outings. The 32-year-old has struck out 28 batters over that four-game stretch and 80 for the season, which is tied for sixth in MLB.

Rodriguez is expected to enter Thursday's game in Pittsburgh in relief after starting pitcher Aaron Civale (hamstring), Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Previous reports had pegged Rodriguez as likely to make a start this week, but the Brewers have decided to go ahead and activate Civale from the injured list and have Rodriguez come out of the bullpen. Rodriguez is stretched out to provide length, if needed, but Civale is in line to throw 75-to-85 pitches Thursday, so Rodriguez might not be needed for more than an inning or two.

Eovaldi (4-3) took the loss Thursday against the Yankees, throwing six innings and surrendering a walk, five hits and just one run while striking out six.

Eovaldi continues to defy Father Time and furthered a monster start to the season that's seen him give up just three earned runs across his past six starts. He may have come out on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel with Carlos Rodon on Thursday afternoon, but Eovaldi's season-long stats continue to sparkle as one of the bright spots for the up-and-down Rangers. After this outing, the 35-year-old ranks fifth in MLB with a 1.60 ERA and first with a 0.79 WHIP, among qualified starters.

Civale (hamstring) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Civale is slated to throw 75-to-85 pitches in what will be his first start for Milwaukee since he went down with a strained left hamstring in late March. The veteran hurler made two rehab starts with Triple-A Nashville, tossing nine scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB. Carlos Rodriguez is expected to work in long relief once Civale exits the contest.

The Giants placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right pectoral strain, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Bob Melvin revealed Wednesday that Verlander was bound for the IL and that transaction is now official. The veteran hurler began experiencing pectoral soreness prior to his last start over the weekend against the Athletics and was unable to make enough progress in between outings to avoid the IL. Verlander will be eligible for activation June 3, but it's too soon to know whether he will be ready to go on that date.

Olson (finger) threw on flat ground Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Thursday marks the first time Olson has done any sort of throwing since he landed on the injured list Monday due to inflammation in his right ring finger. The right-hander is confident he won't need to spend much more than the 15-day minimum on the IL, though he'll need to start throwing off a mound soon for that to be a realistic possibility.

Quintana (shoulder) will throw roughly 45 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The bullpen session will include two "up-downs" to simulate rest in between innings. The Brewers will make a determination on the next steps for Quintana based on how the hurler feels during the session and how he recovers. Quintana has been sidelined since mid-May due to a left shoulder impingement.

Giolito will not pitch Thursday after Boston's game against Baltimore was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Friday. Giolito will start the second of those games, while Brayan Bello will take the ball in the afternoon contest.