MLB Player News

Castillo was removed from Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to a left hamstring strain, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The right-hander had a good chance to pick up a win Sunday as Seattle scored seven runs across the first two frames, but Castillo was lifted due to the hamstring injury after giving up two runs across three innings. The severity of the issue isn't known, and it's unclear if the 31-year-old will be able to make his next turn through the rotation next weekend versus the Rangers.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Bido will be reinserted into the rotation during the upcoming week after working out of the bullpen in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers, Jessica Kleinschmidt of the Oakland Athletics Radio Network reports.

Kotsay noted that the Athletics initially planned to rest Bido through the weekend, but after a 13-inning game Friday, the right-hander was made available out of the bullpen Saturday. Bido struck out three over two scoreless innings behind starter Brady Basso, who was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday. Kotsay didn't specify when Bido's next start will be, but since he's less rested than JP Sears, Joey Estes and Mitch Spence, Bido presumably won't be used during the upcoming three-game series with the Astros and could instead take the hill for Thursday's series opener versus the White Sox.

Megill is available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Reds, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander allowed four runs with a 9:2 K:BB over 9.1 frames in the past two turns through the rotation for the Mets, but he'll shift to the bullpen with Paul Blackburn (hand) returning from the injured list Monday in Toronto. Megill could be called upon for a spot start or two down the stretch, but for now he'll operate in a long-relief role.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Sunday that Lorenzen (hamstring) is expected to make a rehab start Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals haven't specified which minor-league affiliate Lorenzen will report to for the rehab assignment. He's recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained in late August, so Lorenzen may need just one rehab outing to get back up to speed, though a clearer timeline for his return from the 15-day injured list will likely emerge once he's completed the start.

Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will start Sunday against the Marlins.

Johnson will make his MLB debut Sunday in Miami, and a strong showing could give him a longer look as Philadelphia's No. 5 starter down the stretch. The 26-year-old was acquired from the Orioles ahead of the summer trade deadline and was dominant in three outings for Lehigh Valley with a 0.56 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB across 16 innings.

The Rockies designated Blach for assignment Sunday.

Blach was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sept. 1 after Cal Quantrill (tricep) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Blach took the loss in both of his starts since his call-up, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out two over 7.2 innings. Blach was serving as a placeholder in the Rockies' rotation, and with Antonio Senzatela (elbow) nearing his return from the 60-day IL, there doesn't appear to be any room on the 40-man roster for the former. Right-hander Victor Vodnik (biceps) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Williams (3-8) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks over two-thirds of an inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Williams had a start he'd like to forget Saturday, issuing three consecutive walks with one out in the first inning before then surrendering a ground-rule double along with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to put Cleveland in an early hole. The right-hander did not make it through the frame and would end up being charged with a fifth run after being relieved by Pedro Avila. It easily marked Williams' shortest outing of the campaign and came after he hurled seven innings of one-run ball in his previous start, while it also marked his first start in which he failed to record a strikeout. Furthermore, Williams has now lost four of his last five starts, issuing multiple free passes in each of those outings.

Nola (12-7) took the loss Saturday, giving up five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Phillies fell 9-5 to the Marlins. He struck out five.

A two-run homer by Connor Norby in the first inning and a solo shot by Jonah Bride in the fifth bookended Nola's shortest outing since June 13. The veteran right-hander has only one win in 10 starts since the All-Star break, posting a 3.45 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB through 57.1 innings over that stretch, and the 31-year-old could be running out of steam as the regular season draws to a close. Nola will try to get back in the win column in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Mets.

Kikuchi (8-9) picked up the win Saturday, giving up four runs on seven hits over six innings in an 11-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The lefty served up solo homers to Kevin Newman in the fourth inning and Eugenio Suarez in the sixth, but Kikuchi got more than enough run support to cover for his lapses. He has yet to be tagged with a loss since being traded to the Astros, going 4-0 in seven starts for his new club with a 3.07 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 53:10 K:BB through 41 innings. Kikuchi will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Angels.

Rodriguez (2-2) took the loss Saturday as the Diamondbacks were downed 11-5 by the Astros, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out one.

The southpaw threw just 49 of his 88 pitches for strikes, and Houston batters got plenty of wood on the ones Rodriguez did get over the plate. The 31-year-old hasn't provided the boost to the Arizona rotation that the team was hoping for since he came off the IL in early August -- over six starts and 29.1 innings this season, he's stumbled to a 5.83 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB. Rodriguez will look to turn things around in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Brewers.