MLB Player News

The Astros placed Verlander (calf) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Verlander underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed fascial disruption, but no muscle fiber disruption to his right calf, which he injured while covering first base in Sunday's start against the Orioles. While a timeline for Verlander's return hasn't yet been established, the diagnosis was worrisome enough for the club to place him on the shelf for at least the next couple weeks. Due to a pair of off days this week, Houston planned on scaling its rotation back to five men, so Cristian Javier will presumably return from the bullpen to take over Verlander's spot in the rotation. Additionally, top pitching prospect Hunter Brown is expected to be added from Triple-A Sugar Land when the active roster expands to 28 players Thursday, providing further coverage for Houston while Verlander is on the mend. In his comeback from Tommy John surgery this season, Verlander has re-emerged as a leading American League Cy Young candidate, as he turned in a 1.84 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 152 innings before exiting Sunday's outing. He won't be eligible to come off the IL until Sept. 13.

The Athletics plan to promote Waldichuk from Triple-A Las Vegas when the active roster expands to 28 men Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Waldichuk, who was one of four prospects the Athletics acquired from the Yankees in the Aug. 1 Frankie Montas deal, has turned in a 3.38 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking out 21 in 18.2 innings over his four starts at Las Vegas. At the moment, the Athletics don't have an immediate opening for Waldichuk in the rotation, but the team could move Adrian Martinez to the bullpen or to Triple-A to clear a spot for Waldichuk. It's also conceivable that the Athletics expand their rotation to six men to clear a spot for Waldichuk, who should get the chance down the stretch to audition for a full-time role with the big club in 2023.

Milone (neck) re-signed Aug. 19 with the Mariners on a minor-league contract.

Before he was cut loose by the Mariners on Aug. 9, Milone was on Seattle's injured list with a cervical muscle strain. Given that he hasn't appeared for Triple-A Tacoma since re-signing with Seattle, Milone is presumably still recovering from the injury. Prior to being released earlier this month, the veteran lefty generated a 5.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 16.2 innings with the big club.

Rodon (12-7) took the loss against San Diego on Monday, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters.

Rodon got into an early hole, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk in the first inning. He bounced back with two straight scoreless frames but gave up two more runs in the fourth and was subsequently pulled. The left-hander tied a season high with four walks in the contest and managed only two punchouts after reaching double-digit strikeouts in each of his prior two starts. Rodon entered Monday on a roll, having posted a 1.44 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 41:2 K:BB over his previous five starts.

Clevinger (5-5) earned the win over San Francisco on Monday, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Clevinger wasn't overpowering in the outing, but he allowed only one extra-base hit -- a fourth-inning homer by Joc Pederson -- and stuck around long enough to pick up the victory. The right-hander hasn't been striking out many batters recently and has posted a career-low 7.7 K/9 on the campaign, but he's managed a respectable 3.59 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Clevinger started six games in August, posting a 3.94 ERA and 1.22 WHIP along with a 20:11 K:BB over 32 frames.

Suarez didn't factor in the decision against Arizona on Monday, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing six runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters.

Suarez looked to be in line for an easy win after beginning the game with three scoreless frames and being staked to a 7-0 lead. Things fell apart for him in the fourth inning, however, as he was chased after a Carson Kelly bases-loaded double with two outs closed Arizona's deficit to 7-6. Suarez wasn't entirely at fault for the disastrous inning -- he would have been out of danger two batters earlier if not for a fielding error behind him -- but it was nonetheless his shortest start since he went only three innings against the Dodgers on May 20. Suarez still had a pretty strong August overall, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB over 28.2 innings across five starts.

Montas (4-11) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Montas threw 62 of 91 pitches for strikes and induced 15 swings-and-misses, but his inability to keep the ball in the park cost him in the loss. He was rocked for solo shots by Luis Rengifo and Mike Ford before serving up the decisive two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning. Montas hadn't given up more than two long balls in any contest before Monday, so this was more of an aberration than the norm for him. He's yet to get into the win column as a Yankee, going 0-2 with a 7.02 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 25.2 innings through five starts.

Suarez (5-6) earned the win over the Yankees on Monday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six batters.

Suarez gave up only three hits in the outing, though two of them -- including an Anthony Rizzo solo home run -- went for extra-bases. The left-handed hurler demonstrated good control with 56 of his 87 pitching going for strikes, and of his three walks, two were intentional passes to Aaron Judge. Suarez turned in his third quality start of the campaign and ended a two-game losing streak to bring his record to 5-6. He had a strong month of August, posting a 2.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 28.2 innings across five starts.

Anderson (0-1) allowed five runs on four hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

After a scoreless first inning, St. Louis plated six runs in the second inning, including five against Anderson. He gave up a solo homer to Tyler O'Neill and was removed that same inning after Tommy Edman's two-run double. The veteran righty posted a 4.50 ERA with a 72:29 K:BB through 80 innings with the Rays' and Tigers' Triple-A affiliates this season. As of now, Anderson is slated to face the Rockies at home this weekend.

Mikolas allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over 4.1 innings against the Reds on Monday. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Mikolas rolled through four shutout frames before coughing up three home runs in the fifth inning, including Chuckie Robinson's two-run blast. The 34-year-old righty entered the All-Star break with a 2.54 ERA but he's posted an unsightly 5.81 ERA in eight starts since. Mikolas now owns a 3.48 ERA with a 124:30 K:BB through 168.1 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs at home this weekend.