MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Wednesday that Javier will start Thursday's series opener at Yankee Stadium, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier has been getting an extra day of rest between his recent string of starts and the Astros can continue with that model as they prepare to welcome back Jose Urquidy (shoulder) and trade-deadline acquisition Justin Verlander. Hunter Brown will work Friday's game in New York and then Urquidy and Verlander should slot in Saturday and Sunday.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said that Fried (forearm) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Atlanta has officially confirmed only Bryce Elder (Saturday) and Charlie Morton (Sunday) as its starters for the three-game set in Chicago, but barring a late setback while working out over the next couple of days, Fried is lined up to take the hill for the series opener. Fried, who has been on the shelf since May 9 with a left forearm strain, most recently made the fourth start of his rehab assignment last Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett. He covered 4.1 innings and tossed 79 pitches in that outing, so Fried should be capable of giving Atlanta something close to a full workload in his return to the big leagues.

Musgrove has been scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rockies due to "minor" right shoulder soreness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

At least for the time being, the Padres don't view Musgrove's shoulder issue as anything too serious and believe he can avoid a trip to the injured list. Musgrove is tentatively in line to make his next turn through the rotation either next Tuesday or Wednesday in Seattle. Nick Martinez, who has been working out of the bullpen since late April, will make a spot start in Colorado in Musgrove's stead.

The Brewers reinstated Miley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Washington.

Milwaukee reopened a spot in its rotation for Miley a few days earlier, when the team placed Julio Teheran (hip) on the 15-day IL. Miley ended up missing just over the minimum 15 days due to left elbow discomfort, but he appears to have responded well to a platelet-rich plasma injection and didn't require a rehab assignment prior to being activated. Miley should be in store for close to a normal workload as he makes his 14th start of the season Wednesday.

Marsh struck out one and allowed no hits and one walk while tossing a scoreless sixth inning out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Mets.

Marsh had been lined up to start Wednesday's contest, but the Royals surprisingly summoned him from the bullpen Tuesday after starter Zack Greinke was pulled following the fifth inning. As a result of Marsh's usage in relief, the Royals will call up Cole Ragans from Triple-A Omaha to make a spot start Wednesday. Marsh is now lined up to make his next start at some point during this weekend's series in Philadelphia.

Mikolas (6-7) took the loss Tuesday as the Cardinals were downed 3-2 by the Twins, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was able to take his normal turn through the rotation while waiting to hear the results of his appeal on a five-game suspension, and Mikolas delivered his ninth quality start of the season on 109 pitches (72 strikes), although he came up short in a pitchers' duel with Pablo Lopez. Since the beginning of July, Mikolas has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 24:4 K:BB through 35 innings, but assuming his suspension for throwing at Ian Happ in his previous outing is upheld, his next start will likely come sometime next week, as the Cardinals shuffle their rotation following the Jack Flaherty trade.

Rodriguez is listed as the Tigers' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Rodriguez will be returning to the mound on seven days' rest, after the Tigers elected to push him back in the rotation in anticipation of him being moved ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. According to ESPN.com, general manager Scott Harris said that Rodriguez invoked his no-trade clause to remain in Detroit, after several reports indicated that the Tigers had struck a deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday that would have sent the southpaw to Los Angeles. Rodriguez, who is in the midst of the best season of his career with a 2.95 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 91:21 K:BB across 88.1 innings, has the ability to opt out of his five-year, $77 million contract this offseason. If Rodriguez closes the 2023 campaign on a high note, there's a strong possibility that he elects to become a free agent in search of another big payday this winter.

Lopez (6-6) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start and 13th of the season, blanking St. Louis through five frames and allowing only one baserunner before giving up three singles in the sixth. Lopez has a 3.22 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 55:10 K:BB through 44.2 innings over his last seven outings, and he'll look to extend his quality start streak when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come at home this weekend against Arizona.

Strider (12-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 5-1 victory over the Angels. He struck out nine.

The right-hander came just short of his fifth straight start with double-digit strikeouts, but by fanning Shohei Ohtani in the first inning, Strider became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to 200 Ks in a season by doing it in just 123.1 innings. He broke the record held by... himself, as he needed 130 innings to whiff his first 200 batters as a rookie in 2022. Since battling through a couple rough outings in early June, Strider has posted a 2.82 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and stunning 81:8 K:BB through 51 innings over his last eight starts. He's next set to take the mound early next week in Pittsburgh.

Sandoval (6-8) took the loss Tuesday as the Angels fell 5-1 to Atlanta, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The lefty wasn't exactly sharp, throwing only 53 of 90 pitches for strikes, but Sandoval was mostly able to escape trouble and limit the damage. However, he was outdueled by Spencer Strider. Sandoval has been tagged for two runs or less in four straight starts since the beginning of July, posting a 2.42 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over that stretch despite a lackluster 19:13 K:BB through 22.1 innings. He'll look for a better result in his next outing, likely to come at home early next week against the Giants.