MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

The writing had been on the wall for Gordon's demotion, as the Astros skipped his turn in the rotation this past Sunday against the Yankees and instead had Jason Alexander start that game, even though the rookie left-hander hadn't pitched since Aug. 2. With Cristian Javier (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Red Sox, the Astros now have a full five-man rotation, so Gordon will head back to Sugar Land to remain on a starter's schedule. Gordon had struggled mightily in his three starts since the All-Star break, going 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 14.2 innings.

Higashioka is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Diamondbacks.

Higashioka has taken on a bigger share of the catching duties for the Rangers lately, but he'll get a breather for Monday's series opener. Jonah Heim will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

The Astros reinstated Javier (elbow) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Red Sox in Houston.

Houston optioned lefty Colton Gordon to clear room in the rotation as well as to open up a spot on the active roster for Javier, who is slated to make his first appearance for the big club since May 21, 2024. The right-hander is back to full health after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he endured a rocky five-start minor-league rehab assignment in which he posted a 5.14 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 15:15 K:BB in 14 innings. In his final rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land last Tuesday, Javier covered 3.2 frames and tossed 77 pitches, so expect the Astros to monitor the 28-year-old's workload carefully as he re-enters the big-league rotation.

Cole (elbow) began his throwing program Monday by tossing around 20 pitches on flat ground, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

The right-hander has begun what will be a months-long ramp-up period as he works his way back from UCL reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, which he underwent in March. Though Cole's surgery involved the insertion of an internal brace that will hopefully accelerate his timeline to return to game action, the right-hander admitted back in May that he anticipated a 14-month recovery. As such, Cole is unlikely to be ready to go for Opening Day in 2026, but the Yankees aren't completely ruling him out from being available for the start of the season if his rehab goes more smoothly than expected.

Hamm (undisclosed) struck out two and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks over four innings Friday in his start for Double-A Erie after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.

Hamm made his return to the Erie rotation after an unspecified injury kept him out of action for the Double-A club for nearly two months. Before being activated, Hamm ramped up his pitch count by making two rehab starts with Single-A Lakeland. Hamm has now made 14 starts for Erie this season, registering a 4.57 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 62:22 K:BB in 61 innings.

Dominguez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

With Giancarlo Stanton making his second start in right field since Aaron Judge made his return from the injured list last Tuesday, Dominguez will be the odd man out of the New York outfield. Though Judge remains limited to serving as a designated hitter for the time being, he's in the midst of a throwing program as he recovers from a right flexor strain and could be ready to resume everyday duties in right field within the next few weeks. Once that happens, Stanton could settle back in as a full-time DH, and Dominguez could be squeezed out of the starting nine on a more frequent basis.

Wells is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

Wells will get a breather for the series opener while Ben Rice steps in behind the plate. Dating back to the All-Star break, Wells has posted a lowly .130/.186/.204 slash line over 16 games. His ongoing struggles could cost him more playing time if the Yankees are comfortable using Rice behind the plate more frequently in order to open up first base for Paul Goldschmidt.

Morris (forearm) struck out three and issued one walk while allowing no hits over two shutout innings Saturday after being reinstated from Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list.

Morris made his first appearance for St. Paul since June 19 after completing his recovery from a right forearm strain. The 23-year-old holds a 4.27 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 63:25 K:BB in 65.1 innings over his 14 starts with the Triple-A club this season.

Martin is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

Martin had started in the final two games of the Twins' weekend series with the Royals but will head to the bench as Minnesota kicks off a three-game set in New York. With Byron Buxton (rib) making his return from the injured list Monday, Martin will no longer be in line for steady reps in center field, but he could factor into the mix for starts at either corner-outfield spot.

Roden (thumb) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

Roden will be on the bench for at least one game after he exited late in Sunday's 11-inning win over the Royals due to a jammed thumb. With Roden out of the lineup, Kody Clemens will make a start in left field, which opens up first base for Edouard Julien.