MLB Player News

The Astros placed McCullers on the 15-day injured list Friday due to right hand soreness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers returned to Houston to be evaluated, and the Astros have recalled Colton Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. McCullers threw two innings out of the bullpen in Thursday's loss to the Blue Jays and allowed one run on two hits and one walk with zero strikeouts. On the season, McCullers owns a 6.88 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 57:38 K:BB across 52.1 innings.

The Astros reinstated Urquidy (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy has spent the entire season working his way back from a Tommy John procedure he underwent last June. The 30-year-old righty began a rehab assignment in early August and has since turned in a 3.20 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 19.2 innings between Single-A Lakeland and Triple-A Toledo. Now cleared to pitch in the majors for the first time since 2023, he will presumably work out of the bullpen for the final few weeks of the regular season and aim to return to the starting rotation in 2026. Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck) was placed on the 15-day IL to make room for Urquidy on the active roster, and Beau Brieske (forearm) landed on the 60-day IL to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that he doesn't think Volpe (shoulder) will be able to start any of the Yankees' games against Boston this weekend, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Volpe received a cortisone shot in his shoulder Wednesday, and while he could be available off the bench at some point over the weekend, he isn't expected to be part of the starting nine until Monday at the earliest. Jose Caballero should serve as the Yankees' primary option at shortstop during the series.

Vierling (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vierling has been idle since Aug. 9 due to a strained left oblique. His 2025 season has been torpedoed by injuries, limiting Vierling to just 31 games at the big-league level. He's slashed .239/.310/.307 with one home run, 11 RBI, six runs scored, two stolen bases and a 7:24 BB:K across 100 plate appearances for Detroit.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Diaz will take a seat Friday after making five consecutive starts behind the plate, allowing Victor Caratini to catch. Diaz has logged multiple hits in three of his last five games.

Pena is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Pena will get the night off after making 24 consecutive starts at shortstop. He went 24-for-101 (.238) with two home runs, seven doubles and three stolen bases during that stretch. Mauricio Dubon will bat ninth and play shortstop Friday.

Westburg (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It will be Westburg's first game action since he sprained his right ankle Aug. 18. Barring any setbacks, he should be ready to return to the Orioles' active roster sometime next week. Emmanuel Rivera has been filling in at third base of late for the O's with Westburg sidelined.

Volpe (shoulder) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Boston.

Volpe received a cortisone shot Wednesday for a nagging left shoulder injury and will miss a third straight start. It's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench, but he's not expected to need a stint on the 10-day injured list. Jose Caballero will again play shortstop for the Yankees on Friday.

The Astros transferred Garcia to the 60-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right elbow discomfort, so he will be ineligible to return in 2025 after Friday's move. Specifics regarding the right-hander's injury are unclear at this point, but he'll have a full offseason to recover. AJ Blubaugh is the leading candidate to fill Garcia's spot in the rotation the rest of the way.

Houston optioned Salazar to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini at full health, Salazar is expendable. He'll lose his spot on the active roster in order for Zach Cole to have his contract selected. Salazar is 3-for-13 (.231) with a 2:2 BB:K in 11 big-league games this season.