MLB Player News

Kikuchi (neck) threw a side session Tuesday and could be activated to start Thursday versus Detroit, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's unclear how long the club will wait to announce when Kikuchi is returning. The lefty struggled prior to his injury, posting a 7.99 ERA in 23.2 innings over his last seven starts, but the Tigers' hapless lineup could help him ease back into MLB action.

The Mariners recalled Kirby from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Kirby will jump right into the rotation and start Tuesday's game versus the Rangers. Kirby owns a 3.78 ERA across 64.1 big-league innings innings, and he has gone at least 6.0 innings in six of his 12 starts with the Mariners.

The Reds are going with a six-man rotation out of the All-Star break through the trade deadline, meaning that Castillo's start Wednesday against the Marlins could be his final one with the team, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Castillo is the most prominent starter likely on the pre-deadline trade market, and given the Reds' non-contending status and the fact it's unlikely they will contend in the near future, he is a good bet to get dealt sometime in the next week. The team will go back to a five-man rotation following the deadline.

The Rays signed Anderson to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Anderson didn't appear in a game for the Tigers this season, but he did post a 4.63 ERA and 62:27 K:BB in 70 innings for Triple-A Toledo. The righty's recent performance doesn't suggest he'll see many opportunities for Tampa Bay, even with their track record of reviving the careers of many a pitcher.

Buehler (elbow) played catch Monday.

Buehler made 20 throws during the session, his first action since sustaining a Grade 2 flexor strain in his right elbow June 10. The right-hander is still a long way from a potential return, but Monday's action is the first step toward joining the Dodgers' rotation at some point later this season.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 6-4 win over Atlanta, giving up three unearned runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

A two-out throwing error by Johan Camargo in the second inning led to all three Atlanta runs against Suarez, otherwise the lefty might have collected his eighth win of the year. Instead, he exited after 78 pitches (50 strikes) with the score tied 3-3. Suarez has not allowed an earned run in two starts since coming off the IL just before the All-Star break. He now owns a 3.84 ERA on the year to go along with a 1.39 WHIP and 72:34 K:BB through 89 innings.

Falter is slated to start Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

He'll be making his second straight turn after he was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley following the All-Star break to fill the injured Zach Eflin's (knee) spot in the rotation. Falter ended up taking the loss in Sunday's game against the Cubs, working five innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks. Though he'll get the chance to rebound against the Pirates this weekend, Falter may not have much longevity in the rotation if he's unable to markedly improve upon the 5.18 ERA and 1.45 WHIP he's provided in his 33.0 big-league innings on the season. Eflin appears headed for a prolonged absence, but the Phillies could look to the trade market ahead of the Aug. 2 to seek a potential upgrade over Falter for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Fried didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies, giving up three runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The southpaw tossed 69 of 103 pitches for strikes en route to his sixth quality start in his last seven outings and his 15th of the season. However, Fried got denied his 11th win when A.J. Minter served up a game-winning homer to Bryson Stott in the bottom of the eighth inning. Fried will take a 2.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 117:22 K:BB through 125.1 innings into his next start.

Kluber (6-6) took the loss Monday, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings as the Rays fell 5-1 to the Orioles. He struck out two.

The score was tied 1-1 heading into the fifth inning but Kluber hit the wall at that point, loading the bases on two singles and a hit-by-pitch to set the stage for a four-run inning by Baltimore. The veteran right-hander got the hook after 88 pitches (66 strikes) and saw his three-game win streak snapped. On the season, Kluber carries a 3.91 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 84:16 K:BB through 99 innings. The 36-year-old's days of being a fantasy ace are well behind him.

Lodolo (3-3) picked up the win in Monday's 11-2 rout of the Marlins, giving up two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

The nine punchouts were a career high for the rookie, and the quality start was his first in seven trips to the mound in the big leagues. Lodolo sports an impressive 30.5 percent strikeout rate through his first 32.1 innings for the Reds, but his 4.73 ERA and 1.67 WHIP haven't kept pace.