MLB Player News

Howard (finger) will start Thursday's game against the Angels, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

It was unclear whether Howard would start or follow an opener as the bulk guy, but Tuesday's update confirmed the former. He'll make his Rangers debut after posting a 5.72 ERA and 31:17 K:BB in 28.1 games with the Phillies this season. Howard appeared in 11 games for Philadelphia, seven of which were starts.

Manager Kevin Cash said Feyereisen (biceps) will begin throwing off a mound soon, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Having been on the injured list since July 22, Feyereisen figures to require considerable mound work and possibly a rehab assignment before rejoining the Rays. The righty was scuffling before going on the IL, as he allowed five earned runs in his last five appearances after holding opponents scoreless in his previous 13 games.

Fairbanks (shoulder) threw Tuesday for the first time since landing on the injured list July 29, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The righty doesn't appear too close to being activated, as he still needs to progress to mound work and live bullpens before potentially heading out on a rehab assignment. More details about Fairbanks' progress and recovery should become available later in the week.

McHugh (arm) will throw live batting practice Wednesday and, barring any setbacks, is expected to be activated for the weekend series in Baltimore, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The slider-spinning righty landed on the IL on July 25 with a dead arm, but he appears very close to rejoining the Rays. McHugh has established himself as a huge asset in Tampa Bay's bullpen, posting a 1.51 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 41.2 innings this season after not pitching in 2020.

Hudson (elbow) continues to throw bullpens off a mound and face live hitters at the Cardinals' extended spring training facility in Florida, and manager Mike Shildt is holding out hope for a possible late-season return, the Cardinals' official site reports.

Hudson has been consistent in his optimism that he could potentially make a 2021 appearance on a big-league mound following the Tommy John surgery he underwent in September of 2020. He appears to be increasingly willing that possibility into existence, although there are no guarantees at this stage. Nevertheless, the fact that Hudson has now been throwing for multiple weeks without setbacks is encouraging, and if all parties ultimately opt to play it safe with respect to this season, Hudson certainly appears to be a proverbial lock to open the 2022 campaign at full strength.

Hartlieb was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

He gave up three runs in one inning during his lone appearance during this brief stay with the big club. Miguel Castro was activated from the COVID-19 IL in a corresponding move.

Castro was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

He was on the IL due to contact tracing but tested negative, so Castro will be available after missing just one game. The veteran righty has a 3.97 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 11.1 innings since the start of July.

Barnes was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. He has not tested positive for the virus yet.

The righty's initial test came back negative, but he's expecting another result Tuesday night. How long Barnes is sidelined depends on whether he tests positive, as a positive test would keep him out for at least 10 days. An update on his status figures to come out Tuesday night or whenever his test results are determined.

Boxberger picked up his fourth save of the season Monday against the Pirates after tossing a scoreless outing, allowing one walk and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.

Boxberger entered the game after John Axford allowed two runs on two hits and a walk across one-third of an inning to begin the ninth, and while he walked Wilmer Difo, he closed things out by striking out Phillip Evans. This was Boxberger's fourth save of the season, but he only got the nod since Josh Hader is out due to the COVID-19 protocols.

Suero was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Suero's month of July was disastrous, as the right-hander allowed 11 earned runs on 13 hits across 10.2 innings. Things didn't get better to begin August, with the 29-year-old allowing five earned runs across his first two appearances of the month. Now holding a subpar 6.29 ERA on the campaign, Suero will look to right the ship in Rochester in hopes of returning to the big leagues before too long.