MLB Player News

Ryu (neck) was activated from the injured list as expected ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.

Ryu will wind up missing just a single turn in the rotation due to a neck strain, an issue which was seemingly a minor one. The trip to the injured list may have been as much about clearing his head as anything, as the lefty owns an 8.10 ERA over his last eight starts and was particularly poor in his last two, giving up a combined 12 runs in just 4.1 innings of work. The Blue Jays will need Ryu to be at his best Tuesday, as they trail the Yankees by two games for the first wild-card spot and trail the Red Sox by one game for the second.

Kikuchi's turn in the rotation is being skipped Tuesday and he may not make another start this season.

Tyler Anderson is starting Tuesday on short rest while top prospect Matt Brash was called up to piggyback Anderson. Logan Gilbert is listed as Wednesday's starter, so all signs point to Kikuchi moving to the bullpen over the final few games of the season. The 30-year-old lefty has a 7.82 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB in 12.2 innings over his last four starts.

Anderson is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics in Seattle, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle looks set to shorten its rotation to four men for the final week of the season as it attempts to secure a wild-card berth. The struggling Yusei Kikuchi is expected to move to the bullpen, while Anderson will return to the hill on three days' rest to take the hill Tuesday. In his last start Saturday against the Angels, Anderson was blasted for nine runs over two innings, but because the lefty tossed only 54 pitches in that outing, he may not face significant restrictions with his workload versus Oakland.

Irvin (10-15) allowed five runs on six hits and three walks over three innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Mariners.

Irvin worked through two scoreless innings to begin the game before Seattle hung three runs on him in the third. He was pulled after walking the first two batters in the fourth inning and was charged with two more runs when they both came around to score. Irvin has given up eight runs in as many innings over his last two outings, going 0-2 and raising his season ERA to 4.18 in the process. The 27-year-old southpaw is tentatively lined up to take the mound in Houston this weekend.

Flexen (14-6) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over Oakland.

It wasn't Flexen's most efficient start but he extended his winning streak to three games thanks to Seattle's offense dropping 13 runs. He coughed up a three-run shot to Seth Brown in the first inning and later allowed another run in the fourth. He's posted a 3.06 ERA and a 17:5 K:BB over his last three outings, lowering his season ERA to 3.67 through 174.1 frames. Flexen is projected to face the Angels at home this weekend.

Greinke (neck) threw a bullpen session Sunday.

The Astros are hoping Greinke can make a start before the end of the regular season, targeting the weekend series against Oakland. The right-hander may throw another bullpen session Tuesday.

Cease (triceps) is in line to start Sunday's game against the Tigers, MLB.com reports.

Cease is still dealing with a bruised right triceps, but White Sox manager Tony La Russa wants the 25-year-old to throw once more during the regular season in preparation for the playoffs. The right-hander left his most recent start Friday in Cleveland after getting hit by a comebacker.

Keuchel (9-9) tossed five innings, surrendering two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two on his way to a win versus the Tigers on Monday.

The left-hander gave up one run in the second inning and then a solo home run in the fifth by Jonathan Schoop accounted for the other run against him. It was the third consecutive outing in which he allowed two runs, but he has an inflated 2.00 WHIP over 16 innings in those starts. Keuchel is not lined up to pitch again before the regular season ends Sunday, finishing the 2021 campaign with an underwhelming 5.13 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 161.1 innings.

Manning (4-7) got the loss Monday after pitching 3.1 innings and giving up six runs to the White Sox. He allowed four hits, walked five and struck out two.

The 23-year-old pitched three scoreless before imploding in the top of the fourth inning. He allowed six consecutive batters to reach base before being pulled with one out, ultimately surrendering six runs in the inning. After a three-start streak of three or less runs given up, his ERA went from an already disappointing 5.73 to 6.16 in this one. Manning's next start is expected to come Saturday against the White Sox again.

Paxton (forearm) was spotted throwing from 60 feet Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Paxton was lost for the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but it's positive to see him make strikes in his recovery. His timetable for a return is estimated to be around the 2022 All-Star break.