MLB Player News

Javier isn't listed as a starter for any of the Astros' three games with the Marlins this weekend and could be available out of the bullpen, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Entering the week, Javier lined up to start Sunday's series finale versus Miami, but the Astros will take advantage of Thursday's off day and use it to reorder the rotation. As a result, Justin Verlander, who started in Tuesday's win over the Marlins, will return to the mound Sunday on four days' rest for just the second time this season. Javier is now tentatively lined up to make his next start during next week's road series versus the Rangers.

Whitlock is dealing with hip tightness, but he's not expected to miss any time because of the injury, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Boston manager Alex Cora noticed Whitlock favoring one leg during a start June 1, and the right-hander was roughed up by the Angels in his subsequent start. The skipper indicated the condition is "nothing serious," while the pitcher said it's not bothering him when he pitches. "But obviously we have to take care of him," Cora said. "Maybe we can make adjustments as far as like his conditioning and all that. Instead of running outside, let's do it on the treadmill." Cora added that Whitlock will be ready for his next start, which is slated for Sunday in Seattle.

Eovaldi (hip) will make his next start, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. He's tentatively slated to start Tuesday at home against Oakland.

Eovaldi experienced hip tightness during Wednesday's outing and was pulled after five innings. Boston manager Alex Cora expressed little concern following the game and acknowledged the condition may have played a role in his reduced velocity. "He's doing OK," Cora said Thursday. "Obviously it wasn't perfect yesterday. Plaw (Kevin Plawecki) noticed it right away with the velo. So he had to actually quote-unquote pitch. It wasn't the usual 98, 99. So he used his secondary pitches and we expect him to make his next start." The Red Sox have a day off Monday, which builds an extra day of rest into Eovaldi's schedule.

Lyles (3-5) took the loss against Kansas City on Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings.

Lyles got through two scoreless innings to start the contest before the Royals put up four runs in the third. The right-hander bounced back with a scoreless fourth frame but served up a Carlos Santana two-run homer in the fifth. Lyles tied a season-worst mark by giving up six earned runs in the outing, pushing his ERA to 4.97 on the campaign. He's struck out only seven batters over his past 14.1 innings, further weakening his case for a spot on fantasy squads.

Bubic pitched 4.1 innings against Baltimore on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. He did not factor in the decision.

Bubic yielded only one run through his first four frames, but things fell apart for him in the fifth. The southpaw struck out the first batter he faced in that inning before giving up three straight hits, and he was subsequently pulled for a reliever. Bubic hasn't been able to get into the win column through eight outings this season, and his 9.13 ERA is a good indicator of why.

Bundy did not factor in the decision against the Yankees on Thursday, pitching four innings and giving up four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one.

The Twins gave Bundy seven runs through three innings, but the veteran hurler wasn't able to contain New York's offense. He surrendered a run in the first inning, two in the second and another in fifth before he was lifted for a reliever. Three of the runs he allowed came as a result of a pair of homers by Joey Gallo, who entered the game batting .186 on the campaign. After posting a 0.59 ERA through his first three starts this season, Bundy has since given up 29 earned runs across his last 30.2 innings, pushing his ERA up to 5.87 on the campaign.

Cole allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings against Minnesota on Thursday. However, he did not factor in the decision.

Cole had been on a roll entering Thursday, notching seven quality starts while posting a 2.02 ERA over his previous eight outings. He hardly resembled that pitcher against the Twins, surrendering three runs in each of the first and second frames before being removed after allowing a solo homer in the third. Minnesota smoked five homers off Cole -- the most he has given up in a single game in his career -- and the first three batters he faced in the contest took him deep. The right-hander's ERA jumped to 3.63 as a result of the rough start, but he was spared from taking a loss as New York's offense put up 10 runs to capture the win.

McClanahan (7-2) allowed an unearned run on two hits and one walk while striking out nine across eight innings to earn the win Thursday against the Rays.

McClanahan continued his run of dominance by racking up 20 swinging strikes across 94 total pitches. He allowed two of his three baserunners in the sixth inning, which resulted in the Cardinals' only run after McClanahan committed a throwing error. McClanahan has now allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven starts. He owns a 1.87 ERA and a 98:13 K:BB across 72.1 innings on the season.

Cease (4-3) allowed six runs (none earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out eight across 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Dodgers.

Cease started off with four scoreless innings, though things unraveled in his final frame. He got into a jam on his own by allowing a pair of one-out baserunners but wasn't helped by an error committed by third baseman Jake Burger (leg). After the miscue, Cease struck out the next batter but then gave up two doubles, a walk and an infield single prior to being yanked. While he's worked around a lack of control in recent starts -- he's handed out 14 free passes across his last 16.1 frames -- things game to a head against the Yankees. Given that all the runs he surrendered Thursday were unearned, Cease still owns a 3.14 ERA and 89:33 K:BB across 63 innings on the season.

Rodriguez (ribs) allowed two hits and no walks while striking out nine across four scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Toldeo on Thursday.

Rodriguez threw 52 pitches and sat between 94 and 95 mph with his fastball, per Jason Beck of MLB.com. If that reading is accurate and Rodriguez can maintain it over the course of an entire start in the majors, it would be his highest velocity since the 2017 season. Given the decent volume of his first rehab outing, Rodriguez should be able to rejoin the rotation within his next turn or two.