MLB Player News

Bielak is scheduled to make his second start with the Astros on Saturday against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Until Lance McCullers (forearm) is deemed ready for his 2023 debut, the Astros will have room in the rotation for both Bielak and J.P. France, after the two moved into starting roles last week when Jose Urquidy (shoulder) and Luis Garcia (elbow) were shut down with long-term injuries. After having previously made his season debut with the Astros in long relief May 1, Bielak stepped into the rotation last Sunday in Seattle and took a loss after surrendering three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and two walks while failing to strike out a batter over 4.2 innings.

France is scheduled to make his second start with the Astros on Friday against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

France will unsurprisingly receive another turn through the rotation after he excelled in his MLB debut last weekend in Seattle, taking a no-decision despite striking out five and permitting only three hits and one walk over five scoreless frames. While all of Lance McCullers (forearm), Jose Urquidy (shoulder) and Luis Garcia (elbow) are on the shelf with long-term injuries, France should have plenty of leash in the Houston rotation even if he takes a step back in his second MLB start.

Mahle (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the 2023 season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

After Mahle was initially placed on the 15-day injured list May 3 with a posterior impingement and flexor pronator strain in his right elbow, he was quickly shifted to the 60-day injured list Friday. Now nearly one week later, it has been determined he needs Tommy John surgery and will be out for the remainder of the 2023 campaign and a significant chunk of 2024. Mahle was off to a strong start with Minnesota this year, producing a 3.16 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 28 strikeouts over 25.2 innings in five starts. He's scheduled to hit free agency during the offseason.

Canning (2-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and one walk over 3.2 innings against Houston. He struck out three.

Canning allowed a two-out, solo home run to Yordan Alvarez in the first and proceeded to toss two scoreless frames before getting into trouble in the fourth. It was the first time through five starts that Canning failed to complete at least five innings, and he tied a season worst with five earned runs allowed. As long as Jose Suarez (shoulder) remains on the injured list, Canning should continue to draw starts, even if the results aren't overwhelmingly positive.

Javier (3-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over six innings during a 5-4 win over the Angels. He struck out 11.

Javier has completed at least five innings in each of his first eight starts and allowed fewer than three runs seven times during that stretch. The right-hander recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts Wednesday en route to his third win, marking the second time he's tallied double-digit strikeouts this year. Javier sports a 3.47 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 54:10 K:BB through 46.2 innings and will look to maintain his strong play during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game set versus the Cubs.

Gausman did not factor into the decision Wednesday, tossing six scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits during a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter.

Gausman has been a hit-or-miss fantasy player so far. In five of his first eight starts, the right-hander has finished at least six scoreless innings, but he's surrendered 18 runs in his other three outings, including a season-high eight runs last time out versus Boston. Gausman is currently sporting a 3.38 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a stellar 67:7 K:BB through 48 innings, but he's certainly capable of a clunker once in a while.

Castillo (2-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs on eight hits over five innings as the Mariners fell 4-3 to the Rangers. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

An elevated pitch count led to a relatively early exit, but Castillo was dominant while on the mound and generated 34 called or swinging strikes among his 98 pitches. While he no longer sports an unblemished record, the 30-year-old righty will still take a 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 52:9 K:BB through 46.2 innings into his next outing, which is likely to come early next week in Boston.

Bello will start next Wednesday against the Mariners, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

There are a few moving parts to Boston's starting rotation, but manager Alex Cora has opted for a six-man rotation through the end of next week. James Paxton is entering the rotation Friday and by the time the Red Sox reach San Diego next weekend, Garrett Whitlock (elbow) could be ready to roll. Following the series against the Padres, Cora is expected to finalize a decision on a five-man rotation, which could include Bello starting in the minors. The Red Sox do not want to stall his development by putting him in the bullpen.

Dunning (3-0) picked up his first win as a starter in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Mariners. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five.

Dunning filled in for injured starter Jacob deGrom (elbow) for a second time and bumped his innings-count from five to six. The results may have been better, but a Robbie Grossman throwing miscue (not called an error) led to the Mariners' first run in the first inning. Dunning held Seattle in check the rest of the way, including setting the side down in order in three innings. Texas manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Dunning will continue as part of the rotation until deGrom's return, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. That means he's expected to start early next week at home against Atlanta.

Keller (3-3) got the win Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run on three hits and four walks while striking out four over five innings.

Keller was given an early four-run cushion and was able to coast through his outing without much cause for concern. His lone blemish came in the second inning after a leadoff walk and two singles plated the only run of the game for the Sox. Keller continued to show struggles with his command as he walked at least four batters for the sixth time in eight starts, but he's generated a bunch of weak contact and has allowed just three home runs so far this season. The 27-year-old will take a 4.31 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 29:32 K:BB over 39.2 innings into his next projected start against the Padres.