MLB Player News

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Waldichuk (calf) played catch Sunday for the second straight day, but the team has yet to decide whether the lefty will be fit to make his next start Wednesday in Seattle, MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk is tending to a mild left calf strain, which he sustained in his most recent start Friday in Houston. Though he's felt better in the two days immediately following the start, the Athletics plan to re-evaluate Waldichuk on Monday before determining whether he'll be ready to go Wednesday.

Lively is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.

Lively will make his second straight turn through the rotation after he excelled this past Friday in his first MLB start since 2018. In the Reds' 6-2 loss to the Yankees, Lively struck out eight over 5.2 innings while allowing just two runs on two hits and one walk. He stretched out to 85 pitches in that outing, so he should face few restrictions with his workload -- if any -- when he makes his second straight turn through the Cincinnati rotation.

Bradley is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.

As anticipated, Bradley will stick around in the Tampa Bay rotation after he was reasonably effective in his return to the majors against the Mets this past Thursday, when he worked five innings and struck out four while allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. Though he had largely struggled in his outings at Triple-A Durham prior to being recalled last week, Bradley now owns a magnificent 3.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB in 20.1 innings through his first four big-league starts. He looks like an appealing lineup option in most weekly leagues, given that he'll tentatively line up for two starts, with his second expected to come Sunday at home versus the Dodgers.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Kluber will make his next start Sunday in Arizona, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Kluber lasted just 2.1 innings in a loss to the Padres on Sunday and walked three batters during a four-run first inning. With Garrett Whitlock (elbow) expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start this coming Saturday, Boston's rotation will increase to six men. Kluber had been off the radar when it came to potential rotation removals the last few weeks, but it's becoming hard for the Red Sox to continue to hand him starts while he's sporting a 6.26 ERA and 18 walks over 41.2 innings this season.

Bieber (3-3) allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks over eight innings during the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets. He struck out four and took the loss.

Coming off his worst start of the year, Bieber turned in a strong outing but was still handed a loss. He cruised through five shutout frames before Francisco Lindor broke the shutout with a sixth-inning homer. Bieber has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of his 10 starts this season, resulting in a 3.08 ERA with a 47:15 K:BB. Since the start of May, he's posted a 3.04 ERA across 26.2 frames. Bieber's next outing is projected to be at home against the Cardinals.

Verlander (2-2) allowed one run on three hits over eight frames, striking out five and earning a win over the Guardians in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Verlander bounced back from his last ugly outing with a stellar performance Sunday. He coughed up a solo shot to Jose Ramirez in the first inning and was nearly untouchable the rest of the way. Verlander retired 10 straight batters on two occasions, including the final 10 he faced. He's now sporting a 3.60 ERA through 25 innings in his first four starts of the year. Verlander's next start is lined up to be in Colorado.

Luzardo (3-3) allowed six runs on six hits and a walk while striking out eight over five-plus innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Giants.

Luzardo allowed four runs through five frames, then gave up a double and an RBI single to begin the sixth, and Andrew Nardi allowed the inherited runner to score. The six runs allowed were a season high for Luzardo, and he allowed multiple home runs for the second time in 10 starts. He has a 3.83 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 63:18 K:BB through 56.1 innings overall. He'll look to get back on track versus the Angels in his next start.

Kaprielian (0-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over five innings against the Astros. He struck out five.

Though Kaprielian has bounced back and forth between the MLB and Triple-A recently, he has made a strong case to stay with the big-league club over his last two starts, having allowed just four runs with 12 strikeouts in 12.0 innings. Considering his call-up coincided with Drew Rucinski's (illness) placement on the 15-day injured list, Kaprielian looks to be sticking around for at least another start. However, fantasy managers looking for a short-term streaming option may need to seek out alternatives considering Kaprielian is tentatively scheduled to make his next pair of starts against Houston and Atlanta.

Lopez (2-3) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over six-plus innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking a loss against the Angels.

Lopez got through three scoreless innings before the Angels finally broke through for a run in the fourth. He later walked the leadoff batter in the seventh and was charged with that run after he left the game. Lopez forced a season-high 19 swinging strikes on 101 pitches while improving his season K:BB to 75:17. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in three or his last four starts and now owns a 3.90 ERA. Lopez's next start is lined up to be at home against the Blue Jays.

Valdez (4-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing four hits over nine scoreless innings against Oakland. He struck out seven.

Valdez made quick work of the Athletics on Sunday, holding them scoreless through nine innings on 104 pitches. The 29-year-old has been having a career year so far, with a 2.45 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.82 K/9 through 10 starts (66.0 innings). Though Valdez hasn't been a strong contributor in the win column, fantasy managers should treat him as an elite fantasy option considering he ranks top 10 in ERA and strikeouts while leading MLB in innings pitched.