MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) threw another live batting practice session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has now faced hitters on three occasions as he continues to ramp back up since being shut down late in the spring when he experienced inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, Garcia was able to make a pair of rehab starts in 2024, but he's more than two years removed from his last appearance with the Astros. Once he's cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Garcia will likely need most of the 30-day window to build up his pitch count and hone his command before the Astros deem him a viable option for the rotation.

France (shoulder) most recently tossed a 26-pitch bullpen session June 27, MLB.com reports.

France has been facing live hitters for nearly a month and had been scheduled to to do so on June 27, but poor weather prompted the Astros to alter those plans and have France throw a bullpen session instead. The Astros haven't indicated that France threw again in the week since that that 26-pitch side session, so the right-hander could be in the midst of a brief de-loading period as he works his way back from July 1, 2024 surgery to repair a torn right shoulder capsule. France is likely at least a couple weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment, and he's not expected to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until late in the 2025 season.

Javier (elbow) threw two simulated innings Tuesday during his most recent live batting practice session, MLB.com reports.

Javier followed up the two-inning live BP by throwing a bullpen session Friday. The right-hander will presumably face hitters again at some point within the next few days, and if all goes well, the Astros could clear Javier to head out on a rehab assignment at some point shortly after the All-Star break. Javier is working his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery and is likely to require close to a full 30-day rehab window in the minors before the Astros bring him back from the 60-day injured list.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Arrighetti (thumb) is expected to complete one more bullpen session before he faces live hitters, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti completed 15- and 20-pitch bullpen sessions June 24 and June 27, respectively, so he'll presumably build on that pitch count while mixing in all of his offerings during his next side session. The right-hander will likely need to throw multiple live batting practice sessions before then heading out on a rehab assignment, perhaps shortly after the All-Star break. Arrighetti appears to be tracking toward a late-July or early-August return from the 60-day injured list, but a more precise target date won't come into focus until he's out on the rehab assignment.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Pena (rib) has an "outside chance" of returning from the 10-day injured list prior to the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

That being said, Brown noted that the shortstop has yet to resume baseball activities since landing on the IL on June 30 due to a small fracture on the left side of his ribs, so Pena will almost certainly need to kick his rehab program into high gear within the next day or two if he's going to be activated prior to the Astros' final game of the first half next Sunday versus the Rangers. While Pena has been out, Mauricio Dubon has served as the Astros' primary shortstop, starting at the position in six of the last eight contests.

Williams earned the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Mets, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Williams was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so efficiently on just 15 pitches. It was a strong rebound for the 30-year-old after allowing two runs in a loss Wednesday, and he's now converted eight straight saves while handling all three save opportunities since Luke Weaver returned from the injured list June 20. On the season, he's 12-for-13 in save chances with a 5.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB across 32.1 innings.

Hoffman earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Angels, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Hoffman was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just seven pitches to retire the heart of the Angels' order. The 32-year-old has now converted five saves in the past eight days and has allowed just one earned run over his last 10 appearances. He ranks fourth in the majors with 22 saves and owns a 4.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

Kirby (3-4) earned the win in Sunday's game against the Pirates, allowing four hits and no walks across 6.1 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts.

The Seattle right-hander bagged his third consecutive quality start, as he generated an impressive 19 whiffs out of his 93 total pitches. Kirby completely controlled the Pittsburgh lineup, who never threatened to do damage, tallying just four singles. With this effort, Kirby lowered his ERA from 4.85 to 4.22 across 49 total frames while managing to push his K/9 up to 9.2. The 27-year-old is currently slated to make his next start at Detroit next weekend.

The Tigers promoted Briceno from High-A West Michigan to Double-A Erie on Sunday.

Briceno will move on to Erie after he slashed .296/.422/.602 with 15 home runs and one stolen base over 55 games with West Michigan. The Tigers are continuing to develop the 20-year-old as a catcher, though he also made 22 starts at first base during his time at High-A.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and an additional RBI in Sunday's 5-1 win versus the Dodgers.

The Houston veteran tallied his team's final run with a 373-foot solo shot off Los Angeles reliever Anthony Banda in the ninth. Altuve, who has played at second base in 11 of his past 13 games, is now riding a five-game hit streak during which he's recorded three multi-hit efforts. Through 371 total plate appearances, the 35-year-old is slashing .272/.332/.457 with 48 runs scored and 46 RBI while going 6-for-12 on steal attempts across 87 games.