MLB Player News

Pepiot allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Seattle on Wednesday.

Pepiot only allowed three runners to reach in a solid showing that was spoiled by his bullpen after he was pulled in the sixth. For the fourth time this season, he struck out eight or more batters in a start. Despite the good strikeout numbers, the 26-year-old struggles to get deep into games as he has yet to pitch past the sixth inning in 14 starts. He'll take a 4.40 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP into his next start in Kansas City.

Kirby (7-5) allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Rays.

Kirby had his way with the Rays on Wednesday as he managed to get through six innings for his third win in his last five starts. Kirby has been on a tear, allowing two runs or less in six consecutive starts, posting a 1.70 ERA with three walks and 40 strikeouts in that span. He has the third best ERA in MLB since May and he'll look to keep it going in a tough matchup vs. the Orioles next week.

Gray (elbow) struck out four and allowed one run on four hits and zero walks over six innings in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Rochester.

Gray held Indianapolis scoreless through five frames before letting in a run in the sixth, but the right-hander still delivered the lengthiest and best of his four rehab starts since starting his minor-league assignment June 9. He covered 73 pitches in Tuesday's outing, a workload that should put him in line to handle a traditional starter's role when he returns from the 15-day injured list. Gray appears likely to rejoin the Washington rotation Monday or Tuesday against the Mets, as the Nationals are listing Patrick Corbin as the starter for Sunday's series finale in Tampa Bay, per Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold confirmed Wednesday that Gasser (elbow) underwent a traditional Tommy John surgery Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

As expected, Gasser wasn't a candidate for an internal brace procedure, which would have shortened his timetable. A return for Gasser late in the 2025 season would still appear possible, but he likely won't be an integral part of the team's plans until 2026.

The Brewers transferred Ross (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who will start Wednesday's game against the Rangers. Ross' timetable remains unchanged as a result of the move, as he had already been ruled out through the All-Star break. He had been set to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, so the righty seems to be trending in a positive direction.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) hasn't resumed playing catch and won't accompany the team to New York for this weekend's three-game series versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until Monday, but with the Astros continuing their trip in Toronto and then Minnesota next week, the right-hander's absence for the start of the road swing wouldn't seem to inspire much optimism about his chances of being ready to make a start against the Blue Jays, and perhaps even the Twins. The Astros will likely wait and see if Verlander is able to take any meaningful steps forward in his recovery from the neck issue over the next few days while he's back in Houston before determining his status for the Toronto series.

Scherzer (thumb) is listed as the Rangers' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game in Baltimore, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer returned from the 60-day injured list to make his 2024 debut for the big club this past Sunday and was in vintage form in a win over the Royals, tossing five scoreless innings and allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out four. Though he experienced no setbacks in his return from offseason back surgery nor the nerve problem in his right arm that cropped up in late April, Scherzer was pulled earlier than expected from Sunday's outing due to thumb soreness. Per McFarland, Scherzer was able to complete a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and while the right-hander acknowledged he was still contending with some soreness in the thumb, it doesn't look as though it'll prevent him from making his second start of the season this weekend.

Stripling (elbow) was able to complete a bullpen session before Tuesday's game against the Angels and is set to throw another Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander came away feeling healthy from Tuesday's activity, and he's expected to throw 30-35 pitches in his session Saturday. Assuming that bullpen also goes off without a hitch, Stripling could be deemed ready to face hitters at some point during the subsequent week.

The Marlins selected Bellozo's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Kansas City.

Bellozo will be making his MLB debut Wednesday and could earn himself additional turns through the rotation with a strong showing against the Royals, as the Marlins are contending with numerous injuries to their starting pitchers. The 24-year-old righty has split time this season between Jacksonville and Double-A Pensacola, logging a collective 5.02 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 57:15 K:BB in 52 innings. He had been pitching more effectively in his most recent three outings with Jacksonville, giving up just five runs (four earned) while allowing 14 baserunners and striking out 13 over 14 innings.

The Tigers recalled Montero from Tripe-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Per Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, Montero is slated to serve as a bulk reliever for the Tigers in Wednesday's game against the Phillies, likely entering the game in the second or third inning once opening pitcher Tyler Holton exits the contest. Montero's lone prior big-league appearance came as a starter back on May 29, when he gave up four earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five across 4.1 innings in a loss to the Pirates. Montero owns a 5.03 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over 13 starts with Toledo this season.