MLB Player News

Fried (7-6) took the loss Sunday against Miami, allowing five earned runs on four hits and five walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out six.

Fried (elbow) made his first start since July 11 and showed clear signs of rust, issuing five free passes and yielding five earned runs to a mediocre Marlins offense. The 30-year-old still owns a strong 3.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 101:39 K:BB across 111 innings this season, but it could take him a few outings to find his groove, especially with a road start in Coors Field looming next weekend.

Bellozo is scheduled to make his next turn through the rotation Wednesday versus the Reds in Miami, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Called up from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday to help fill the opening in the rotation created by the Marlins trading Trevor Rogers to the Orioles earlier in the week, Bellozo got the job done in his start against Atlanta. He took a no-decision in the Marlins' 5-3 loss, covering five innings and striking out five while allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks. Bellozo has covered exactly five frames in each of his three starts with Miami this season and has posted a 4.20 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while striking out a batter per inning.

Cabrera (2-3) picked up the win Sunday against Atlanta, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out eight in five scoreless innings.

Cabrera did not allow an earned run for the first time this season, striking out eight batters to earn his first win since April 21. The 26-year-old has righted the ship over his past four starts, logging a 2.70 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 20 innings. Cabrera owns an impressive 11.9 K/9, but his ugly 5.96 ERA and 1.49 WHIP make him a highly volatile fantasy option. He is currently scheduled to face the Padres next weekend.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that it's "pretty safe to say" McCullers (forearm) won't be activated from the 60-day injured list this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers underwent surgery last June to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur and had been hopeful to return to the Astros around the middle of the season. After progressing to throwing bullpen sessions in May, McCullers had his rehab program shut down in July and received a second opinion from doctors. Though McCullers was diagnosed with no new structural damage to his elbow, the recent setback he had a few weeks ago will be enough to slow him down and take a 2024 return off the table. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched for the Astros since the 2022 World Series, and he had already missed the entire 2019 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. McCullers remains on Houston's books through 2026 after signing a five-year, $85 million extension in March 2021.

Spiers (4-3) took the loss Sunday against the Giants, allowing three earned runs on five hits and zero walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

All three of Spiers' earned runs came via the long ball -- a two-run shot by Matt Chapman in the fourth inning and a solo home run by LaMonte Wade in the sixth. Spiers hasn't been as sharp lately, allowing three or more earned runs in five of his past seven starts. Even still, the rookie has held his own this season, pitching to a 3.59 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB across 57.2 innings. He is currently scheduled for a road start in his Milwaukee his next time out.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Jones (lat) is expected to begin a rehab assignment "soon," Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The right-hander threw live batting practice Saturday, and he's now on the cusp of being cleared for game action. Jones is likely to require multiple starts in the minors before rejoining Pittsburgh's rotation, and he should be able to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of August if he can avoid any setbacks.

Verlander (neck) threw 37 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander said that he felt good during the sim game and sported a fastball that peaked at 94 miles per hour. The right-hander expects to require two minor-league rehab starts before making his return from the 15-day injured list, so he probably won't be a realistic option for the Houston rotation until the second half of August. The Astros plan to expand their rotation to six men once Verlander comes off the IL, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Ray (2-1) picked up the win Sunday against the Reds, allowing two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out nine in five innings.

Ray bounced back from a shaky start his last time out, fanning nine batters and allowing just three hits to earn his second win in three starts. Ray's two earned runs came on back-to-back home runs by Jeimer Candelario and Santiago Espinal in the second inning, and Ray has now surrendered five home runs over his past two starts. As he shakes off the rust and becomes more consistent, Ray's sky-high 3.14 HR/9 should normalize towards his career mark of 1.39. The southpaw now owns a 4.40 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB in 14.1 innings. Ray is currently scheduled to take on the Tigers next weekend.

The Guardians are expected to recall Allen from Triple-A Columbus and have him start Monday against the Diamondbacks in Cleveland, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

With Tanner Bibee (shoulder) considered day-to-day and Alex Cobb (hip) not yet ready to return from the injured list, the Guardians are likely to turn to Allen to fill the open spot in their rotation Monday. Allen turned in a 5.67 ERA over his 18 starts with Cleveland before being demoted to Triple-A last month, and though he's posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over his three starts with Columbus, his peripheral statistics (7.5 K-BB%,1.65 HR/9) have been underwhelming. If he does in fact get called up to start Monday for Cleveland, Allen won't be guaranteed any additional turns through the big-league rotation.

The Guardians optioned Cantillo to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

The left-hander surrendered three runs over four innings during his start Saturday against the Orioles, and he'll head to Triple-A in favor of bullpen depth. Cantillo should be a candidate to rejoin the Guardians for Thursday's doubleheader in Minnesota.