MLB Player News

Ober (2-2) allowed two runs on five hits over six innings Monday, striking out five and earning a win over the Tigers.

Ober coughed up a solo homer to Derek Hill in the third inning and an RBI single to Zack Short in the fifth. He moved to 2-2 on the year and picked up his first win since July 5. Over his last eight starts, the 6-foot-9 righty has given up 13 earned runs over 41.2 innings (2.81 ERA) with a 40:6 K:BB. Ober will carry a 3.98 ERA into his projected road start against the Rays this weekend.

Mize (7-7) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Minnesota.

Mize was dominant to start the game, cruising through three perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts. He then allowed three runs in the fourth, including a two-run shot by Josh Donaldson. It was the first time he completed at least six innings since July 29 but his season ERA grew slightly to 3.59. Mize is lined up to face the Reds on the road this weekend.

Manager Dusty Baker said Urquidy (shoulder) could be activated from the injured list during this weekend's series in San Diego, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

A right shoulder injury has sidelined the 26-year-old since the end of June, but he finally appears close to rejoining the rotation. It's unclear whether Urquidy will replace Jake Odorizzi in the starting mix or if Houston will run a six-man rotation for the remainder of the regular season. With a 3.38 ERA and 0.96 WHIP this year, albeit in only 77.1 innings, Urquidy figures to play a considerable role on the Astros' pitching staff in September and the postseason.

The Yankees reinstated Kluber (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list before his start Monday.

As expected, Kluber comes off the IL, where he's been since the end of May, to start Monday's game against the Angels. The righty won't throw more than 65-75 pitches, although he figures to build up his workload in the last month of the regular season. He fills the 40-man roster spot of Zack Britton (elbow), who went on the 60-day IL on Monday.

Bielak was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bielak has been stretching out at Triple-A Sugar Land recently, and he tossed five innings during his last appearance. The right-hander will be available as a long reliever in the Astros' bullpen after Bryan Abreu was sent down Monday.

Perez tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and will be placed on the injured list, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Perez is the third player to have recently tested positive for the virus, as Enrique Hernandez and Christian Arroyo were also placed on the COVID IL on Friday due to positive tests. The veteran left-hander will be sidelined for at least the next 10 days and will need to clear the health and safety protocols before rejoining the team.

Stripling (oblique) was seen playing catch on the field prior to Monday's game against the Orioles, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Stripling was shut down from throwing when he landed on the injured list with a strained left oblique Aug. 11, so it's a good sign to see he has resumed a throwing program. The right-hander will need to progress to throwing off a mound before ramping up his workload.

Irvin (hip) is listed as the Athletics' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Tigers in Detroit, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Irvin exited early in his Aug. 24 start versus Seattle due to hip discomfort, but he won't have to miss a turn through the rotation as a result of the injury. He assuaged any concerns about his health by completing a bullpen session Sunday, and Irvin isn't expected to face any limitations in his return to the mound Tuesday.

Espino has a 1-5 record, 4.64 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 33 innings since being promoted to High-A Lake County, but he also has a 63:13 K:BB in that span.

The good news is that thanks to his elite bat-missing ability, Espino's FIP is 3.52 and his xFIP is an even more impressive 2.41; the bad news is that he's been touched for six homers in his seven High-A starts and hasn't finished six innings once this season. That includes his 10 starts at Low-A Lynchburg, where Espino posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.34 WHIP alongside a 64:23 K:BB in 42.2 innings. Espino's calling card is his high-end fastball velocity, as he's touched 100 mph, but scouts are also bullish on his slider, curveball and changeup. That said, his control remains a work in progress. Espino is a high-variance prospect who has the stuff to be an ace starter but may not have the durability. Of course, even if he does eventually end up in the bullpen, he'd be an elite relief arm.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Kluber (shoulder) would be limited to around 65-to-75 pitches in his scheduled start Monday versus the Angels, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

New York will officially reinstate Kluber from the 60-day injured list later Monday, welcoming him back after he missed the past three months with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. The right-hander looked rusty in his two-game rehab assignment -- he covered five innings in total while giving up seven earned runs and posting a 5:5 K:BB -- so the Yankees will ease him back into the big-league rotation with a lighter workload than usual. Andrew Heaney, who moved to the bullpen last week, could piggyback Kluber in the outing and cover multiple innings in relief.