MLB Player News

McHugh (6-1) was credited with the victory in an extra-inning win over the Red Sox on Monday, allowing an unearned run on two hits and two walks over two innings. He struck out one.

McHugh became the pitcher of record in the wild win when the Rays rallied for three runs over the last pair of frames. The veteran right-hander ran into a little more trouble than usual and has now allowed one run in three of his last four appearances, but he's still boasting an elite 1.46 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 55.1 innings.

Otto is expected to make his third start with the Rangers in Friday's series opener in Oakland, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Texas will welcome two starters in Spencer Howard and Dane Dunning back from the COVID-19 injured list this week, but neither pitcher's return looks like it will bump Otto out of the rotation. Howard will be activated Tuesday to start against the Diamondbacks and will be deployed in tandem with Jordan Lyles, who could work exclusively out of the bullpen moving forward. Dunning, meanwhile, is expected to be activated Friday, but the Rangers plan on having him work only an inning out of the bullpen behind Otto, who should thus be in store for a normal start. The 25-year-old rookie has looked good in his first two turns through the Texas rotation, covering 9.2 innings between the outings while allowing two earned runs and striking out 11.

The Rangers will activate Howard from the COVID-19 injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After being placed on the COVID-19 IL on Aug. 27, Howard quickly navigated through MLB's health and safety protocols, as he was able to repot to Triple-A Round Rock last Thursday to make a rehab start. He struck out three while allowing one run in two innings in that 36-pitch outing, and he apparently came out of that start and his bullpen session over the weekend feeling no worse for the wear. Even before Howard landed on the COVID-19 IL, the Rangers had routinely deployed him in tandem with another starter, and that plan appears unlikely to change over the final three weeks of the season. Look for Jordan Lyles -- who hasn't pitched since Aug. 31 -- to follow Howard on Tuesday, making Lyles the more likely of the two to factor into any decision.

Barria (2-3) allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out three over seven innings as he lost to the Rangers on Monday.

Barria allowed the Rangers to score a run in both the first and second inning while allowing six of eight hits against him during those early frames. Barria then went on to retire 14 straight batters before the Rangers got to him again in the seventh for a third run. The 24-year-old didn't walk anyone for just the second time this year, but Barria has managed to top three strikeouts just twice in eight starts this year. He now owns a 5.16 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB over 45.1 innings.

Alexy (2-0) pitched six scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts in a win over the Angels on Monday.

Alexy was outstanding yet again, as he's given up just two hits and no runs over 11 innings since his debut at the end of August. The Angels put a bit of pressure on him in the second after having two on and nobody out, but Alexy was able to maneuver his way around the Angels' hitters and avoid any damage. The 23-year-old hasn't had a large sample on the field, but his performances so far should keep him around in the starting rotation. Unfortunately, he lines up to face the Astros next week.

Scrubb (shoulder) threw one scoreless inning with one walk and two strikeouts for Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Scrubb made the second of what is expected to be several minor-league appearances. He currently resides on the 60-day injured list, and the earliest he could be back is Sept. 19. The Astros got their bullpen sorted out at the trade deadline, so Scrubb will likely be used in low-leverage situations upon his return.

Houston manager Dusty Baker said Pressly was unavailable to pitch Sunday due to a sore arm.

The Astros finished out a series in San Diego on Sunday and didn't need Pressly that day, nor was he needed in Seattle on Monday. It's unclear the extent of the soreness or how much time Pressly needs. Kendall Graveman should be considered the fill-in at closer.

Lambert is set to start Tuesday's game against the A's, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lambert was recalled by the White Sox on Monday, and it will take him no time at all to get his next start in the big leagues. Lambert went 5.0 innings in his last Triple-A start but hasn't gone more than 3.2 innings at the top level this season.

Puk has allowed four earned runs on 10 hits over the 4.2 innings covering his last five relief appearances.

The big left-hander continues to find consistency elusive in his latest big-league stint, as he's given up two earned runs in two of the appearances in the aforementioned sample while generating scoreless one-inning outings in the three others. Puk does continue to pitch to plenty of contact even when escaping innings unscathed, however, as he's given up 10 hits over the 4.2 innings in the span. As such, he's likely to continue operating in low-leverage scenarios, especially with the Athletics in the midst of a postseason push.

Garza allowed three hits and struck out two in 1.2 innings in Monday's 5-2 loss to Minnesota.

In four of his last five appearances, Garza has managed to keep runs off the board despite allowing six hits and four walks in that span covering 5.2 innings. The right-hander has trimmed his ERA down to 3.97, but a 1.41 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB are hardly encouraging signs, albeit in a small 22.2-inning sample. The 27-year-old will likely continue to fill a low-leverage role for the final month of the season.