MLB Player News

The Astros are skipping Blanco's next turn in the rotation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco had been on turn to start Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but Justin Verlander will move up to take the ball on regular rest that day instead. Houston has an upcoming stretch of 16 games without an off day later this month, and they plan to return Blanco to the rotation sometime during that stretch. However, it's anticipated the righty will eventually move to the bullpen on a permanent basis prior to the postseason.

Lopez (14-8) earned the win Thursday against the Rays, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out nine.

Lopez's streak of three straight outings without allowing a run ended Thursday against the Rays, but he still managed to pick up his 14th win, which is tied for the third most in the American League. Lopez's scoreless innings streak ended at 23.1, which is the longest single-season streak by a Twins pitcher since Tyler Duffey in 2019. The 28-year-old has eight quality starts over his last 10 appearances and has a 2.27 ERA in that span.

The Rockies transferred Hudson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Removing Hudson from the 40-man roster allows the Rockies to add Jaden Hill. Hudson is now officially done for the season with right elbow inflammation, and he's a likely non-tender candidate this offseason after posting a 6.17 ERA in 18 starts.

Toussaint cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Toussaint was dropped from Chicago's 40-man roster Tuesday after accumulating a 7.43 ERA and 2.30 WHIP across 23 innings with the big-league squad. He'll remain with the organization as minor-league bullpen depth, though his chances of making it back to the majors before the end of the year are slim.

Abbott (shoulder) began a throwing program Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Abbott was shut down for nearly two weeks with a left shoulder strain but has been cleared to ramp things back up again. It's going to take him a while to be built back up to start a game for the Reds, but the hope is that he can make it back before the end of the season. Abbott has collected a 3.72 ERA and 114:52 K:BB over 138 innings covering 25 starts for Cincinnati in 2024.

The Yankees activated Gil (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Gil will rejoin the rotation Friday with a start against the Cubs after missing the last two weeks with lower-back discomfort. He went just 3.2 innings but threw 80 pitches in his lone rehab start, so Gil is mostly stretched out. The Yankees could look to shift Gil to relief later in September and perhaps even use him as their closer, but for now, the right-hander will be part of what appears to be a six-man rotation.

Greene (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It would appear to be the first time he's thrown off a mound since he went down with right elbow inflammation in mid-August. As long as Greene gets through Thursday's bullpen session with no hiccups, he will have another one Sunday. The righty will continue to be built back up as he aims to rejoin the Reds' rotation before the end of the season, but he would appear to still be at least a couple weeks away.

The Phillies plan to recall Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game in Miami, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Acquired from the Orioles in July, Johnson has posted a 2.33 ERA and 83:42 K:BB over 88.2 innings between the Double- and Triple-A levels in 2024. He's allowed just one run in three starts since joining Lehigh Valley last month. Johnson will be making his major-league debut Sunday, joining the rotation as the Phillies' new No. 5 starter in place of Tyler Phillips, who was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Megill came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over four-plus innings. He struck out three.

The Mets handed the right-hander a four-run lead in the bottom of the first inning on a Jesse Winker grand slam, but he nearly squandered it in the third. When Megill then gave up a leadoff single to begin the fifth, manager Carlos Mendoza went to his bullpen. Megill hasn't pitched terribly since rejoining the big-league rotation at the end of August, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in 9.1 innings over two outings, but he's likely headed to the bullpen with Paul Blackburn (hand) on track to return early next week.

Houck (8-10) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Red Sox fell 8-3 to the Mets. He struck out seven.

The right-hander came out flat, loading the bases before recording his first out and then serving up a grand slam to Jesse Winker. Houck shook it off and didn't allow another run, but Boston couldn't climb out of the early hole. It's the first time in a month that Houck wasn't able to last at least six innings, a five-start stretch in which he'd posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB through 30.2 innings, but he remains winless in nine outings since the All-Star break. Houck will look for a better result in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Orioles.