MLB Player News

Kansas City recalled Ragans from Triple-A Omaha ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Mets.

Ragans pitched pretty well in a spot start for the Royals last month against the Rays, but the 25-year-old left-hander owns a career 5.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 54:32 K:BB in 69.1 total innings of work at the major-league level. He is not a recommended fantasy streamer versus New York.

Cortes (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's preparing to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend against the Astros, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cortes had been scheduled to make his third and final minor-league rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he instead arrived in the Yankees clubhouse ahead of their series finale against the Rays and seems to have completed his recovery from the rotator cuff strain that sent him to the IL in late May. Luis Severino is currently listed as the Yankees' starter Friday versus Houston, but that could change given how badly he's struggled. The Yankees may also look to have Cortes start Saturday and get piggybacked by Domingo German, who tossed five innings in relief after being scratched from his start Monday against the Rays. Per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Cortes said he'll be limited to around 60 pitches in his return to the Yankees, so if he starts, he could struggle to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.

Severino is listed as the Yankees' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Astros, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested earlier this week that Severino might be at risk of losing his rotation spot, but the club mostly sat idle at Tuesday's trade deadline and will apparently stick with the 29-year-old right-hander at least a little while longer. He has struggled to a 7.49 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 50:24 K:BB through 57.2 innings (12 starts) this season.

Sale (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Sale battled some command issues in his rehab debut Tuesday with Worcester, yielding two walks over two innings, but he gave up only one hit and didn't allow a run while striking out three of the nine batters he faced. Out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula, the veteran left-hander is tracking toward a return to the Red Sox rotation around the weekend of Aug. 11.

Whitlock (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock is on about the same trajectory as Tanner Houck (face), who is scheduled to begin a rehab stint with Worcester on Saturday. One of the two could return to the Red Sox in more of a piggyback role rather than a traditional starting role, though there's nothing official yet on that front. Whitlock has been limited to 51.2 major-league innings (10 starts) this season because of elbow trouble.

Suarez's minor-league rehab assignment has been shut down due to left shoulder soreness, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Suarez recently kicked off the rehab stint and made two appearances for the Angels' ACL club, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over a combined 3.1 innings. However, he'll now take a step back due to the setback with his shoulder. Angels manager Phil Nevin indicated that the organization isn't concerned that Suarez will need to be held out for a long period, though it's not yet clear when the southpaw will begin throwing again.

Houck (face) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday for Triple-A Worcester, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Houck made it through another bullpen session Tuesday without issue and has now been cleared to pitch in live games. The Red Sox haven't announced publicly whether the 27-year-old right-hander will return from the 15-day injured list as a reliever or starter, and that decision will impact the length of his minor-league rehab stint. Houck has been sidelined since mid-June because of a facial fracture.

Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Wednesday that Javier will start Thursday's series opener at Yankee Stadium, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier has been getting an extra day of rest between his recent string of starts and the Astros can continue with that model as they prepare to welcome back Jose Urquidy (shoulder) and trade-deadline acquisition Justin Verlander. Hunter Brown will work Friday's game in New York and then Urquidy and Verlander should slot in Saturday and Sunday.

Marsh struck out one and allowed no hits and one walk while tossing a scoreless sixth inning out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Mets.

Marsh had been lined up to start Wednesday's contest, but the Royals surprisingly summoned him from the bullpen Tuesday after starter Zack Greinke was pulled following the fifth inning. As a result of Marsh's usage in relief, the Royals will call up Cole Ragans from Triple-A Omaha to make a spot start Wednesday. Marsh is now lined up to make his next start at some point during this weekend's series in Philadelphia.

Rodriguez is listed as the Tigers' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Rodriguez will be returning to the mound on seven days' rest, after the Tigers elected to push him back in the rotation in anticipation of him being moved ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. According to ESPN.com, general manager Scott Harris said that Rodriguez invoked his no-trade clause to remain in Detroit, after several reports indicated that the Tigers had struck a deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday that would have sent the southpaw to Los Angeles. Rodriguez, who is in the midst of the best season of his career with a 2.95 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 91:21 K:BB across 88.1 innings, has the ability to opt out of his five-year, $77 million contract this offseason. If Rodriguez closes the 2023 campaign on a high note, there's a strong possibility that he elects to become a free agent in search of another big payday this winter.