MLB Player News

Kluber (shoulder) will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday to make a rehab start, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Kluber made his first rehab outing Thursday with Double-A Somerset and gave up five runs on two hits with four walks and one strikeout in 1.1 innings. He threw 45 pitches in that contest, and he should continue building up his workload as he moves up to Triple-A. The 35-year-old figures to require another rehab start or two beyond Tuesday before returning from the injured list.

Manager Craig Counsell said he expects Houser (illness) to rejoin the Brewers on Tuesday and begin the ramp-up process as he works his way back from the COVID-19 injured list, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Counsell's comments are an indication that Houser is recuperating well after testing positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 6, but after being away from the Brewers for the past week and a half, he'll need at least a few days to get his arm conditioned before slotting back into the rotation. Milwaukee will likely wait and see how Houser responds to his initial workouts before determining if he'll be ready to return from the IL by the end of the week, or if he'll require a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand.

Velasquez (finger) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Low-A Clearwater on Tuesday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Velasquez, who has been on the injured list since Aug. 2 due to a blister on his right middle finger, was cleared to head out on the rehab assignment after he threw a live bullpen session Sunday without discomfort. Even though the back end of the rotation remains unsettled while Zach Eflin (kneecap) remains on the IL, the Phillies aren't expect to revisit using Velasquez in a starting role upon his return.

Cole was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Cole had been sidelined since Aug. 2 after he tested positive for COVID-19, but he'll start Monday's series opener against the Angels. The right-hander didn't require a rehab assignment prior to returning, but he's unlikely to have major limitations following his relatively brief time on the injured list.

Springs underwent surgery Monday to repair the ACL in his right knee and was transferred to the 60-day-injured list, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Springs was originally expected to miss just 2-to-4 weeks after spraining his right knee on the final day of July, but he'll now miss the rest of the season after attempts to rehab the injury failed to achieve the desired results. He'll technically be eligible to return for the final few days of the regular season, but since ACL surgery necessitates more than 60 days of recovery time, he'll likely spend most of the offseason in rehab mode. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for the Rays to add David Robertson.

Steele will make his second turn through the Chicago rotation Monday in Cincinnati.

After spending most of the past month at Triple-A Iowa getting stretched out for starting duty, Steele was summoned to the Cubs to make his first MLB start in a doubleheader versus Milwaukee on Aug. 10. He limited the Brewers to three runs on five hits and a walk over five frames, but he struck out only one batter and surrendered two home runs. Steele was already expected to stick around with the Cubs as part of a six-man rotation, but his starting role became even more secure after Chicago released Jake Arrieta and after Adbert Alzolay (hamstring) was moved to the IL. Look for the Cubs to give Steele a evaluation as a starter over the final six weeks of the season as the rebuilding club looks to see if he's a long-term piece in the rotation.

Allard (3-10) allowed three runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out two over 6.1 innings to pick up the win over Oakland on Sunday.

Allard survived giving up a couple of home runs to pick up his first win since June 12. The long ball has been issue for the left-hander, who's allowed 12 over his last 36.2 innings (2.9 HR/9). Sunday's outing was his third consecutive quality start, and Allard looks to extend that run in his next expected start Saturday on the road against the Red Sox.

Urquidy (shoulder) threw 34 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Saturday.

The next step will be to get Urquidy into rehab appearances in the minors. The right-hander, who hasn't pitched in the majors since a June 29 start, is expected to rejoin the Astros in September.

Carrasco (0-1) allowed six earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three across two innings, taking the loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Carrasco allowed three home runs in two innings. He has struggled in his four appearances this season and has given up 10 runs in his last three innings. The deepest he's been able to pitch is 4.1 innings. The 34-year-old has a 10.32 ERA and 1.85 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 11.1 innings this season.

Gilbert (5-4) was tagged with the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays after allowing five runs on eight hits across four innings, fanning three.

Gilbert gave up two homers Sunday, and both came in the second inning when Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk took him deep. The right-hander has been inconsistent of late and has gone 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts during the current month.