MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Verlander (calf) is in line to return from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Athletics, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Verlander hasn't yet been confirmed to rejoin the rotation Friday, as the Astros will presumably want to see how he feels following his most recent throwing session before officially signing off on his return. Even if Verlander isn't locked in to start Friday, he looks to be trending toward slotting back into the rotation at some point this weekend, barring any major setbacks with his right calf. Rookie Hunter Brown is expected to move to the bullpen to open up a spot in the six-man rotation for Verlander, who has been on the shelf since Aug. 30.

McKenzie had his next start pushed back to Friday versus the Twins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

McKenzie was originally slated to start Thursday's matchup with the White Sox, but he will now toe the rubber in the opener against the Twins on Friday. It is not yet clear why the team opted to push him back, and more information will likely be provided after Wednesday's contest. Hunter Gaddis is expected to be called up to start Thursday in McKenzie's place.

Manoah didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 7-2 win. He struck out five.

The right-hander was initially scheduled to start the matinee, but a stomach bug made him a late scratch. Manoah powered through and was able to take the mound in the nightcap however, and he delivered his fifth straight quality start and his 22nd of the season. Manoah sports a 1.29 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB through 35 innings over that five-outing QS streak, and the 24-year-old seems to be getting stronger down the stretch with the playoffs in sight.

Wentz is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Astros at Comerica Park.

He'll be making his second straight turn through the rotation after striking out five Royals over 6.2 scoreless innings in his return to the big leagues last week. Unless he completely unravels against Houston, Wentz looks like he'll have the chance to finish the season as a starter for Detroit as he aims to build a case for being a full-time member of the rotation heading into 2023.

Gaddis is expected to be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start Thursday versus the White Sox, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Gaddis is set to join the rotation for what will likely just be a spot start after Triston McKenzie was pushed back a day in the pitching schedule to Friday's series opener with the Twins. The rookie has previously made one start with the Guardians on Aug. 6, surrendering eight runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings against Houston.

Mahle (shoulder) has not stated throwing and a return in September is unlikely, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "The scenarios that Tyler pitches again in the regular season might be pretty limited right now," said manager Rocco Baldelli said.

Mahle landed on the injured list Aug. 20 due to shoulder fatigue and then lasted just two innings when he returned from the injured list Sept. 3 due to a setback to the same injury. It's possible he could return for the postseason, but Minnesota's slide in the standings makes that a long shot.

Springs (8-4) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, allowing three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw didn't let a Toronto baserunner get past second base as he extended his current scoreless streak to 16.2 innings. Springs also delivered his fifth quality start of the season, and since moving into the rotation at the beginning of May, he boasts a 2.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 112:26 K:BB through 106 innings.

Eovaldi (shoulder) threw three innings of live batting practice Tuesday, the Red Sox' official site reports. "Yeah, he went three [innings]. That's a good sign," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Now we'll just have to wait and see how he reacts to it and we'll decide what we're going to do."

Cora indicated the goal was for Eovaldi to pitch two innings, but the right-hander felt good and kept pitching. Once he's evaluated Wednesday, Eovaldi could make a rehab start in the minors as early as this weekend.

Gilbert (12-6) took the loss during Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Padres, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings.

Gilbert surrendered one baserunner in each of the first three innings before permitting two in each of the next two, with the lone run coming across in the fourth. Despite the loss, Gilbert held the opposing offense to three runs or fewer for the sixth straight outing, pitching to a 2.08 ERA across 34.1 innings with 34 strikeouts during the stretch. He carries a 3.19 ERA into his next start, tentatively scheduled to come early next week against the Angels.

Kopech (5-9) earned the win over the Rockies on Tuesday. He allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out three over five innings.

Kopech limited the damage to an Alan Trejo two-run home run in the third inning. This was Kopech's sharpest outing since Aug. 12 versus the Tigers, as he'd allowed 11 runs in 9.2 innings across his previous three outings, one of which was cut short by a knee injury. The right-hander has a 3.77 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 105:57 K:BB through 119.1 innings across 25 starts this year. He's projected for a favorable road start in Detroit this weekend.