MLB Player News

Eovaldi was diagnosed with a low-grade right oblique strain Monday and is expected to have his next start pushed back to the Rangers' four-game series with the Twins this weekend, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

After being pulled from his latest start this past Saturday against the Yankees with what the Rangers described as right side tightness, Eovaldi was sent back to Texas to meet with Dr. Keith Meister. Eovaldi received encouraging results from his MRI, and the Rangers are apparently optimistic that he will avoid a trip to the injured list and be able to pitch through the oblique strain. While the right-hander doesn't sound like he'll be an option to take the hill for Thursday's series opener versus Minnesota on his usual four days' rest, he could be plugged back into the rotation at some point Friday through Sunday. The Rangers will likely wait for Eovaldi to complete a bullpen session later this week before locking him in for his next start.

Stroman (8-6) earned the win over Texas on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out one batter over five innings.

Stroman's one punchout wasn't ideal from a fantasy perspective, but it didn't impact his ability to notch his first victory since June 22. The veteran righty had posted a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP during the six-game winless stretch, so he'll perhaps look to Sunday's performance as a potential turnaround point. Stroman's next outing is tentatively lined up to take place in Detroit this weekend.

Lynn (knee) said in an appearance on the "Foul Territory" program that he'll throw a bullpen session Monday.

While the hurler noted that he should have more clarity on his timetable after the throwing session, he hopes to return from the 15-day injured list "hopefully within the next time or two through the rotation." Lynn has been sidelined since late July with right knee inflammation.

Pepiot (knee) struck out seven batters over 3.1 scoreless innings while scattering one hit and two walks in his rehab start Saturday with Double-A Montgomery.

Pepiot tossed 69 pitches in the rehab outing, which should be the only minor-league start he needs before making his return from the 15-day injured list. The Rays have seemingly already reopened a spot in the rotation for Pepiot, as the club optioned Tyler Alexander -- who had been functioning as the de facto No. 5 starter -- to Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Pepiot rejoined the Rays on Sunday and played catch at Tropicana Field, and he'll likely throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday before Tampa Bay locks him in for a start this weekend versus the Diamondbacks.

Oviedo (elbow) has increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet as of Aug. 2, MLB.com reports.

Oviedo has been slowly increasing the distance in which he's playing catch since being cleared to begin a throwing program May 20, approximately six months after he underwent Tommy John surgery. The right-hander is hopeful to be fully cleared for spring training in 2025, but he'll still need to resume mound work and face hitters over the offseason in order to enter camp with no restrictions.

The Twins are expected to call up Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul this week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Minnesota has an opening in its rotation Tuesday against the Royals, and Matthews looks poised to fill that spot for what will be his MLB debut. The right-hander boasts a 2.60 ERA and 114:7 K:BB over 97 innings covering three stops in the minors in 2024. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) both expected to miss several more weeks of action, Matthews will have an opportunity to pitch his way into additional starts with the big club.

Ashcraft's placement on Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list July 12 was the result of recurrent symptoms of lateral forearm tightness, MLB.com reports.

After suffering the injury during his July 6 start for Indianapolis, Ashcraft met with Dr. Keith Meister, who had previously performed the right-hander's Tommy John surgery in 2021. Fortunately for Ashcraft, his latest forearm issue was confirmed to be muscle-related, so the expectation is that he'll be able to recover from the injury with rest and rehab. Ashcraft resumed playing catch in late July and is still hopeful to return to action before the end of the 2024 season.

Jones (lat) covered 2.2 innings and struck out three while giving up two earned runs on one hit and one walk in his rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pitching in a game for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list July 4 with a Grade 2 lat strain, Jones tossed 47 pitches (30 strikes) and induced six swings and misses. After walking the leadoff batter in the bottom of the first inning, Jones then served up a two-run home run, but he retired the final eight hitters he faced before exiting. The 23-year-old righty will likely need one or two more rehab starts before making his return from the 15-day injured list.

Kelly (3-0) earned a win over the Phillies on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings.

All of the damage against Kelly came in the opening frame after Alec Bohm drove in two runs on a double to center field. From there, Kelly was able to settle in, retiring 14 of the next 16 batters he faced. Kelly wasn't on much of a workload restriction either, finishing with 85 pitches before his day was done. The return of the 35-year-old gives the Diamondbacks a healthy rotation for the first time this year after they also added Eduardo Rodriguez to the mix earlier in the week. Kelly now holds a 2.43 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB in 29.2 innings and will face the Rays on the road in his next start over the weekend.

Castillo (10-11) got the win over the Mets on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings.

Castillo was engaged in a pitcher's duel with Luis Severino heading into the fifth inning before the Mariners were able to provide him with some cushion on the scoreboard. The lone run against him came on a sixth-inning solo home run by Jeff McNeil. Castillo racked up nine strikeouts for a second straight start and went on a run in the game during which he struck out five consecutive batters. He's now recorded seven straight quality starts while allowing one or fewer runs four times. Castillo owns a 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 148:40 K:BB in 148.1 innings and will look to keep rolling in a matchup with the Pirates over the weekend his next time on the mound.