MLB Player News

The Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.

Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that Bradish (elbow) is poised to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week and will reclaim a spot in the Baltimore rotation, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish's return can't come soon enough for an Orioles rotation that remains without John Means (forearm) and Tyler Wells (elbow). The right-hander made three rehab starts while recovering from a right UCL sprain that cropped up early in the spring and forced him to the IL to begin the season. His his most recent rehab outing Friday with Triple-A Norfolk was Bradish's sharpest yet, as he struck out six while allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings on 77 pitches (49 strikes). Since Bradish had been pitching every fifth day during his rehab assignment, he could slot into the Baltimore rotation as soon as Wednesday, but the Orioles are more likely to give him an extra day to recover and have him take the hill for Thursday's series finale with the Yankees at Camden Yards.

After throwing a 50-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, Pivetta (elbow) noted that he was able to throw all his pitches and was happy with his outing, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta continues to make progress in his rehab from a right elbow flexor strain that landed him on the 15-day IL on April 9. Before landing on the IL, Pivetta went 1-1 over two starts, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out 13 over 11 frames.

Allen (3-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Guardians were downed 6-2 by Atlanta. He struck out five.

The 25-year-old southpaw was able to keep the ball in the park after serving up four homers across his last two starts, but there weren't many other positive takeaways from this performance. Allen tossed only 48 of 91 pitches for strikes, and he's been tagged for at least three runs in five of his six outings to begin the season. He'll carry a 5.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB through 31.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Houston.

Gil surrendered five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters across five innings during Friday's loss to Milwaukee. He didn't factor into the decision.

Though he was able to limit his struggles with walking batters, Gil's five runs and six hits allowed represented season highs for the 25-year-old, who now owns a 4.01 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through five starts. He's lined up to face another high-octane offense in Baltimore on Wednesday, and he could be at risk of getting hit around again if his command doesn't improve.

Eovaldi didn't factor into the decision during Friday's victory over Cincinnati, giving up one earned run on three hits and five walks while striking out eight batters across six innings.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the 34-year-old righty found himself working from behind early after Elly De La Cruz walked and later stole home to score the first run of the game in the first inning. Eovaldi was able to regroup quickly and stifle the Reds' bats for the next five frames, though his struggles with limiting walks carried over from his previous start. He now owns a 3.00 ERA and 1.12 WHIP alongside a 36:17 K:BB through 36 innings in six games, and he'll look to pick up his second win of the season Thursday against the Nationals.

Eflin (1-3) took the loss Friday after surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters in six innings.

Facing a White Sox offense that sports an MLB-worst .575 OPS, Eflin had a golden opportunity to pick up his second win of the season. Instead, he gave up two runs in the first five innings before surrendering a three-run homer to Martin Maldonado in the sixth that would ensure Chicago remained in the lead for the rest of the game. Eflin now holds a 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP after his rough outing and projects to make his next start Wednesday against a strong Milwaukee lineup.

Flexen (1-3) earned the win Friday against the Rays after throwing five scoreless innings while giving up two hits and three walks while striking out two batters.

Flexen's day got off to a questionable start after Yandy Diaz drove a double into center field to begin the game, but the 29-year-old pitcher then turned in his best performance of the year to secure his first win of the young season. Flexen still carries a gaudy 5.11 ERA and 1.34 WHIP on the year, but he's given up just one earned run across 11.1 frames over his last three outings. He'll have plenty of momentum on his side during his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Wednesday against the Twins.

Crawford (1-1) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits over six innings. He struck out four.

Crawford allowed a season-high 10 hits Friday, though he'd still manage to make it through six innings for a second straight quality start. It's the first time that Crawford's allowed more than one run in a start this year -- he sports an impressive 1.35 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB across six starts (33.1 innings). He's currently in line for a home matchup with the Giants in his next outing.

Sandoval (1-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits over 5.2 innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss against Minnesota.

Sandoval coughed up a solo homer to Carlos Santana in the second inning, and the Twins continued to tack on runs throughout the night. Over his last four starts, Sandoval has gone 0-3 while yielding 14 earned runs over 19.2 innings. He did generate 13 swinging strikes Friday though, his second-highest total of the season. Sandoval will carry a 6.33 ERA into his next matchup, which is projected to come at home against the Phillies next week.