MLB Player News

Schmidt was recalled by the Yankees on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Schmidt has made one major-league appearance this season, giving up five runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings in a start against the Mets on Sunday. He's expected to fill a bullpen role this time around.

Albers was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Albers allowed three runs in 2.2 innings Wednesday and now has a bloated 7.58 ERA in 19 innings this season. Injuries or other developments could demand his return to the big-league staff in the next couple weeks, but he isn't likely to provide fantasy value.

Singer was placed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons prior to his scheduled start Friday against the Mariners.

The absence of an injury designation suggests it could be a COVID-related move, but there's been no indication of that. Singer gave up six runs on five home runs in his last start Saturday, raising his ERA to 4.85 and his WHIP to 1.56 on the season. Jon Heasley was selected from Double-A Northwest Arkansas and may start in Singer's stead.

Garcia (11-7) got the win in Thursday's 12-1 defeat of the Rangers, allowing one run on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Garcia was able to navigate some traffic on the bases in the second and third innings and bide some time until Houston broke out with seven runs in the fourth. It was a nice rebound performance from the young righty after he surrendered four runs in a loss his last turn, though his two whiffs are a season low for any appearance lasting at least four innings. He's totaled just 10 strikeouts over his last three starts after averaging six per game prior to the recent stretch.

Bielak will draw a spot start Friday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros had to scratch Framber Valdez (finger) from Thursday's start, so the team is shuffling its rotation as a result. Bielak has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen to this point in the season, though he has completed three innings in each of his last two outings. Even so, it's unlikely he'll be able to work deep enough into the contest to qualify for a win.

Valdez (finger) is in line to start Monday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez was scratched from his start Thursday due to a cut on his index finger. The issue isn't expected to cause a stint on the injured list, though he'll have to wait for the Astros' next series to retake the mound.

Blackburn (1-2) earned the win against Kansas City on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts across five innings.

Blackburn scuffled in his previous two outings, allowing four runs in each while failing to get through four innings in either of them. He also got off to an auspicious start Thursday, giving up a two-run homer to Salvador Perez in the first inning, but he held the Royals off the board the rest of the way. The 27-year-old Blackburn owns a 4.94 ERA through six starts, posting an underwhelming 18:7 K:BB across 27.1 innings. He'll face the Mariners at home next week.

Cobb (8-3) tossed five scoreless innings Thursday against the White Sox, yielding two hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts to pick up the win.

Activated from the injured list earlier in the day, Cobb showed no ill effects from the wrist injury that had sidelined him since late July. He limited the potent White Sox lineup to singles by Leury Garcia and Zack Collins while throwing 42 of his 66 pitches for strikes. Cobb has now put together five consecutive strong outings dating back to the start of July, going 3-0 with a 0.91 ERA and 26:11 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He's tentatively lined up for a difficult home matchup against Houston on Tuesday.

Montgomery allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out 12 across 5.2 innings Thursday against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

The 12 strikeouts were a career high for Montgomery, and he racked up an impressive 23 swinging strikes on 99 total pitches in the process. The only damage he surrendered was a solo home run to Ryan Mountcastle. In six starts since returning from the COVID-19 injured list, Montgomery has maintained a 3.38 ERA, though he's also completed fewer than five innings on three occasions. For the season, Montgomery has a 3.63 ERA with a 149:48 K:BB across 144 innings.

Baz was scratched from his start Thursday with Triple-A Durham due to back spasms, Patrick Kinas of Westwood One Sports, reports.

Baz had been under consideration to make his major-league debut Friday. However, it's now clear why Luis Patino will be called upon instead. There's no timetable for Baz to return to the mound, and there's a possibility that he won't pitch again this season.