MLB Player News

Kaprielian was available out of the bullpen for Sunday's 5-0 win over the Orioles and appears to have lost his spot in the rotation, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Oakland looks set to reduce its rotation to five men during its upcoming six-game week, with Kaprielian being moved to the bullpen while rookie Ken Waldichuk draws a second turn Wednesday against Atlanta. Kaprielian's demotion to the relief role comes even though he's shown improved form since the All-Star break following a rough start to the campaign. Over his eight second-half starts covering 40 innings, Kaprielian has turned in a 4.28 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 31:20 K:BB.

Astros general manager James Click said Verlander (calf) likely won't return from the 15-day injured list Sept. 13 when first eligible, but the right-hander isn't expected to be sidelined far beyond that date, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander seems to be progressing quickly from the right calf injury that prompted the Astros to deactivate him Tuesday. He threw off flat ground Sunday for the second straight day and looks like he could be ready to step back on the mound at some point during the upcoming week. Once that happens, Verlander will begin the process of ramping up through live batting practice sessions and simulated games. While Verlander is out, the Astros are expected to maintain a six-man rotation, as rookie Hunter Brown is on track to make his first big-league appearance as a starter Monday against the Rangers.

Gray (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday in New York, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

If his sore right hamstring responds well to the throwing workout, Gray should get the green light to make his next turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Yankees. He was lifted after four innings during his last outing Friday versus the White Sox when his hamstring began to act up.

Urquidy (13-5) earned the win during Sunday's 9-1 victory over the Angels, allowing four hits and one walk while recording eight strikeouts in seven scoreless innings.

Urquidy was staked to an early 5-0 lead and was able to work around jams in the third and seventh innings to deliver his first scoreless outing in five turns. The 27-year-old fired 73 of 111 pitches for strikes with 16 whiffs en route to his fifth start with at least eight strikeouts this year. With the successful performance, Urquidy lowered his ERA to 3.51 while posting a 1.12 WHIP with 117 strikeouts in 146 innings. He's scheduled for a rematch against the Angels at home next weekend.

Giolito (10-9) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Twins. He struck out five.

Giolito cruised through four innings and looked like he could record his first scoreless outing since April 8, but it was not meant to be. He served up a fastball on a silver platter to Carlos Correa in the fifth inning, which Correa sent to center field for a two-run home run to put the Twins on the board. Giolito has now allowed 31 runs in 44.2 innings over his last nine starts, causing his ERA to increase to 5.21 on the season. He will look to get back on track next weekend at Oakland.

Bundy (8-6) earned the win Sunday against the White Sox, striking out four over five scoreless innings. He surrendered two hits and one walk.

Bundy was effective Sunday, as he allowed just three White Sox batters to reach base all afternoon, a relief after allowing 10 batters to reach base over 4.2 innings in his prior start. The scoreless outing was Bundy's fifth on the season and second in his last five starts. He will carry a 4.34 ERA into his next start.

Montas (5-11) earned the win Sunday as he struck out seven over five scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and did not walk a batter.

Montas logged his first scoreless start since joining the Yankees on Aug. 2 with five shutout innings Sunday. He also allowed one hit for just the second time this year and did not walk a batter for the second start in a row. Perhaps this start is a sign that the 29-year-old has found his groove again, which would be good timing as the Yankees attempt to stave off the Rays down the stretch. He lines up to face Tampa Bay again next weekend.

Manning allowed two runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over four innings in a 3-2 loss Sunday against Kansas City. He did not factor into the decision.

Manning scattered three hits and a walk over the first three innings as he held the Royals scoreless. In the fourth, two singles, two walks and a hit batsman led to two runs as he threw 33 pitches in the inning, bringing his total for the four innings up to 90. Since returning from a shoulder injury at the beginning of August, he's posted a 4.21 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB in 36.1 innings across seven starts. His next start will likely be next weekend in Kansas City.

Dunning (3-8) took the loss Sunday in Boston, allowing five runs on eight hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out two across four innings.

Dunning struggled from the start Sunday as Boston scored four times in the first and tacked on another run in the second. Twelve of the 23 batters he faced reached safely and three of the eight hits went for extra bases. He's pitched five innings or fewer in four of his last five starts and has a 5.92 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 24.1 innings in that span. His next start will likely be next weekend against Toronto.

Lorenzen (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Lorenzen has been sidelined by a strained right shoulder since early July, but he's poised to return this week after making three rehab starts in the minors. The 30-year-old has a 4.94 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 55:30 K:BB across 71 frames in 13 starts this year.