MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said Urquidy (shoulder) could be activated from the injured list during this weekend's series in San Diego, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

A right shoulder injury has sidelined the 26-year-old since the end of June, but he finally appears close to rejoining the rotation. It's unclear whether Urquidy will replace Jake Odorizzi in the starting mix or if Houston will run a six-man rotation for the remainder of the regular season. With a 3.38 ERA and 0.96 WHIP this year, albeit in only 77.1 innings, Urquidy figures to play a considerable role on the Astros' pitching staff in September and the postseason.

Cueto didn't test positive for COVID-19 despite being placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, but he's feeling under the weather due to cold and flu-like symptoms, Dieter Kurtenbach of San Jose Mercury News reports.

Assuming he doesn't produce a positive result in additional tests in the next 24 hours, Cueto should be cleared to rejoin the Giants as soon as his symptoms dissipate. Manager Gabe Kapler said the righty could start Tuesday's game against the Brewers if he's feeling better, so an update on that front should come in the hours leading up to that game's 9:45 p.m. ET opening pitch.

Wood was placed on the injured list Monday due to a positive COVID-19 test and symptoms of the virus, Dieter Kurtenbach of San Jose Mercury News reports.

How long the lefty must be sidelined depends on whether he's vaccinated, a detail that hasn't yet been disclosed. If unvaccinated, Wood will miss at least 10 days and thus no fewer than two starts. More updates on his symptoms and expected return date should become available in the next few days.

The Yankees reinstated Kluber (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list before his start Monday.

As expected, Kluber comes off the IL, where he's been since the end of May, to start Monday's game against the Angels. The righty won't throw more than 65-75 pitches, although he figures to build up his workload in the last month of the regular season. He fills the 40-man roster spot of Zack Britton (elbow), who went on the 60-day IL on Monday.

Wood was placed on the injured list Monday for unspecified reasons.

Wood was scheduled to start Tuesday's contest, but he'll now be sidelined for undisclosed reasons. The team announced the move without an injury designation or specifying which list he was placed on, which often means it's a COVID-19 situation. Assuming that's the case, Wood will be able to rejoin the team once he clears the health and safety protocols. Johnny Cueto (undisclosed), Monday's scheduled starter, was also placed on the IL under the same circumstances.

Cueto was placed on the injured list for unspecified reasons Monday.

The team didn't supply an injury designation or specify which list Cueto was placed on, which often means it's related to COVID-19. The veteran right-hander was poised to start Monday's series opener versus Milwaukee, but Jose Alvarez will now start a bullpen game for San Francisco. Assuming Cueto is on the COVID-19 IL, he'll be able to be activated once he clears the health and safety protocols.

Kershaw (forearm) pitched an inning in a simulated game Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw has missed nearly two months while battling forearm inflammation, but he's trending in the right direction and seemingly has time to return before the end of the year. He still has plenty of work to do to build up to a starter's workload, however, so he's likely multiple weeks away from being activated.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Mejia has made two major-league starts this season, allowing six runs on 14 hits over 11 innings of work. He could add to that total down the stretch but will head to the minors for now, clearing space for the team to recall Sean Poppen.

Bielak was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bielak has been stretching out at Triple-A Sugar Land recently, and he tossed five innings during his last appearance. The right-hander will be available as a long reliever in the Astros' bullpen after Bryan Abreu was sent down Monday.

Perez tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and will be placed on the injured list, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Perez is the third player to have recently tested positive for the virus, as Enrique Hernandez and Christian Arroyo were also placed on the COVID IL on Friday due to positive tests. The veteran left-hander will be sidelined for at least the next 10 days and will need to clear the health and safety protocols before rejoining the team.