MLB Player News

Gray will start Saturday's game against the Royals, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Gray was scheduled to throw Monday at Milwaukee on seven days rest, but he'll have his start bumped up to Saturday to give Max Scherzer (thumb/back) extra rest. Gray had surrendered two or fewer runs in 12 consecutive starts before being rocked for nine runs in three innings against the Mets on Monday. He yielded two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts across seven innings in a start against the Royals on May 5.

Scherzer (back/thumb) won't start Saturday's game against the Royals, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was initially expected to make his 2024 debut Saturday after undergoing offseason back surgery and more recently dealing with thumb and forearm injuries. Instead, Bruce Bochy will hand the ball to Jon Gray on Saturday, with starters for Sunday's series finale against Kansas City and Monday's series opener against Milwaukee still to be determined. Scherzer and Dane Dunning figure to fill the two starting slots, though it's unclear in what order.

The Athletics recalled Bido from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Bido will join the big-league roster for the second time this season, taking the place of Vinny Nittoli, who was DFA'd in a corresponding move. Bido made a spot start in his only MLB appearance this season, yielding four runs across 2.2 innings before being removed with a blister. However, Bido will likely operate out of the bullpen during this stint with Oakland.

The Astros designated Henley for assignment Friday.

A spot on the 40-man roster was required for the addition of Friday's starting pitcher, Jake Bloss. Henley was hammered in a spot start earlier this season, allowing five runs while recording just one out. He'll likely clear waivers.

The Astros selected Bloss's contract from Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday.

He will make his major-league debut Friday versus the Orioles. Bloss has put up a 1.74 ERA and 60:21 K:BB in 62 innings covering 12 starts between High-A Asheville and Corpus Christi this season. The right-hander will have a shot to stick around for a bit if he pitches well.

The Blue Jays reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Guardians.

The right-hander has been on the shelf since late April due to thoracic spine inflammation, but he'll re-enter Toronto's rotation for Friday's series opener in Cleveland. Rodriguez built up to 79 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be able to handle a full workload. However, the Blue Jays were handling the 27-year-old carefully prior to the injury, so it's possible Rodriguez is deployed in tandem with Bowden Francis, who has been handling a bulk-relief role.

Lugo allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over 6.2 innings in a no-decision against Oakland on Thursday.

Lugo held the A's scoreless until Zack Gelof tagged him for a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning. The blast tied the game, costing Lugo a chance at his 11th win of the campaign. The right-hander nonetheless notched his 12th quality start, which is tied for the MLB lead. Lugo has reached that mark with an excellent 2.42 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 104 innings.

Flexen allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Thursday.

This was a nice bounce-back for Flexen after he allowed six runs (four earned) over 3.1 innings against Arizona in his previous start. The right-hander completed six frames Thursday for the first time since early May and finished with just his third quality start of the season. Flexen has had a tough time in his first campaign with the White Sox, posting a 5.03 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 73.1 frames.

Arrighetti allowed three runs on five hits and and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Thursday.

Arrighetti navigated through four scoreless innings despite allowing at least one baserunner in each of those frames. The rookie's tightrope act came to an end in the fifth, however, as the White Sox put four runners on base (on three hits and a walk) before he could get his second out. Arrighetti has now completed fewer than five frames in three of his past four starts, and walks have been a major issue for him during that span, as he's issued 12 free passes over 14.1 innings.

Woods Richardson did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Woods Richardson allowed single runs in the second and third frames, keeping the Rays at bay as he completed six innings for his fourth quality start of the season. It was the third time in four outings the right-hander struck out exactly six batters, including a couple of big strikeouts to end the fourth and fifth innings, each coming with runners in scoring position to keep the game tied. Woods Richardson has been solid throughout his first extended run in the majors, tallying a 3.26 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 12 starts with 52 strikeouts over 60.2 innings. A matchup with the Diamondbacks likely awaits next week.