MLB Player News

Watkins pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering three runs on 10 hits while striking out four in the win over the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.

Watkins wasn't his sharpest Tuesday, allowing a season-high 10 hits. Overall, he was able to limit the damage to just three runs, most notably giving up a solo home run to Isaac Paredes in the top of the fourth. The long ball was his first surrendered over six starts dating back to May 22. Since the beginning of July, Watkins has produced a 2.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 23 innings in four outings. He now owns a 4.03 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 35 punchouts over 58 frames in 13 starts this season.

Dunning (ankle) was activated from the 15-day injured list and will start Tuesday's game in Seattle.

Dunning was sidelined the past couple weeks with a right ankle impingement, but he will rejoin the Rangers' rotation Tuesday. The 27-year-old covered five innings during his rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League last week, so he shouldn't face significant workload limitations in his first game back in the majors.

McCullers (forearm) will report to Triple-A Sugar Land to make a rehab start Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander started his rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Corpus Christi, and he threw 40 pitches over two frames in that outing. McCullers will continue to build up his workload Tuesday, and he'll likely require at least two additional rehab starts following that appearance before being cleared for his season debut with the Astros.

Seabold (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Seabold landed on the shelf July 8 with a strained forearm, and he's been cleared for game action after recently being deemed ready to face live hitters. The 26-year-old has started three games for the Red Sox this year and has given up 15 earned runs with a 13:5 K:BB over 11.1 innings. He will make his way back to Worcester now that he's healthy.

Kikuchi (neck) threw a side session Tuesday and could be activated to start Thursday versus Detroit, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's unclear how long the club will wait to announce when Kikuchi is returning. The lefty struggled prior to his injury, posting a 7.99 ERA in 23.2 innings over his last seven starts, but the Tigers' hapless lineup could help him ease back into MLB action.

The Mariners recalled Kirby from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Kirby will jump right into the rotation and start Tuesday's game versus the Rangers. Kirby owns a 3.78 ERA across 64.1 big-league innings innings, and he has gone at least 6.0 innings in six of his 12 starts with the Mariners.

The Rays signed Anderson to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Anderson didn't appear in a game for the Tigers this season, but he did post a 4.63 ERA and 62:27 K:BB in 70 innings for Triple-A Toledo. The righty's recent performance doesn't suggest he'll see many opportunities for Tampa Bay, even with their track record of reviving the careers of many a pitcher.

Kluber (6-6) took the loss Monday, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings as the Rays fell 5-1 to the Orioles. He struck out two.

The score was tied 1-1 heading into the fifth inning but Kluber hit the wall at that point, loading the bases on two singles and a hit-by-pitch to set the stage for a four-run inning by Baltimore. The veteran right-hander got the hook after 88 pitches (66 strikes) and saw his three-game win streak snapped. On the season, Kluber carries a 3.91 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 84:16 K:BB through 99 innings. The 36-year-old's days of being a fantasy ace are well behind him.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said after Monday's 7-5 loss to the Athletics that Odorizzi dealt with a blister on his right middle finger prior to exiting the contest, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

According to Rome, Odorizzi first noticed the blister in the second inning and had the training staff pop it with a needle two innings later. The right-hander was forced to pitch through some discomfort and was ultimately lifted after giving up six earned runs over five innings en route to taking the loss. Baker said he's uncertain if the blister will affect Odorizzi's next turn through the rotation, which is tentatively set to come Sunday versus Seattle.

Syndergaard (5-8) took the loss against Kansas City on Monday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out six.

For five innings, Syndergaard and opposing starter Zack Greinke engaged in a scoreless duel, with each hurler giving up only one extra-base hit. Greinke departed before the sixth, but Syndergaard was allowed to continue in that frame, and he retired the first two batters he faced. However, the following three hitters all reached base -- two via single and one by walk -- and the one run Syndergaard allowed was enough to send him to defeat on a night when he got no run support from his offense. The veteran hurler has been the subject of trade rumors of late, and he could be a decent addition to a contending team's staff given his 3.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP on the campaign.