MLB Player News

Urquidy (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy tossed 34 pitches across a two-inning simulated game last weekend, and he'll now begin the final step in his recovery process. The right-hander will require several rehab appearances to build back up since he's been sidelined since June 29, but he's expected to return from the injured list sometime in September.

Greinke allowed one run on five hits and did not walk or strike out a batter over six innings in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Three of the five hits Greinke allowed were grounders that beat infield shifts. He deserved a better fate in what was the longest outing of his career without recording a punchout. The right-hander's won three of six starts since the All-Star break, sporting a 2.88 ERA during that stretch. Greinke is expected to pitch Monday at home against Kansas City.

Lynn was ejected after the fourth inning of Wednesday's 3-2 win over Oakland. He did not factor into the decision after permitting one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings.

As Lynn described the ejection, the first of his MLB career, to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, third-base umpire Nic Lentz was late coming to check the pitcher's glove and hat for foreign substances, so Lynn left both items on the field while he entered the dugout to see trainers. The umpire called for Lynn's belt, too, and the right-hander tossed it out on the field, which was apparently the trigger for the ejection. Lynn was at 88 pitches through four innings after escaping jams in the first and third innings. He's next expected to pitch Monday on the road in Toronto.

Singer allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings, taking a no-decision versus Houston on Wednesday.

Singer cruised through the first six innings before giving up a two-run single to Jason Castro with two outs in the seventh. The right-hander was spared from the loss as Kansas City retook the lead in its half of the inning. This was Singer's seventh quality start in 21 appearances this year. He's posted a 5.23 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 100:42 K:BB through 98 innings. He'll look to enjoy similar success next week in a road rematch in Houston.

Watkins (2-5) surrendered four runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four innings, taking the loss versus Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

The right-hander has now lost his last five starts, and he's been limited to four innings in three of those outings. Watkins' strong start to his major-league career continues to seem more like an aberration. He now has a 5.63 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB through 40 innings across nine appearances (eight starts). If the 28-year-old gets another turn in the rotation, he lines up to face the Angels next week.

Skubal (8-11) allowed just two runs across 6.2 innings but took the loss Wednesday against the Angels. He gave up six hits and struck out seven.

Skubal pitched well, but he and his offensive mates ran into the buzzsaw that is Shohei Ohtani, who limited the Tigers to one run on the mound across eight innings and also blasted his 40th home run of the season. Skubal's only mistake was a first-inning home run by Justin Upton with a runner on. The lefty otherwise shut down Los Angeles' hitters, and he encouragingly didn't issue any walks. Skubal will carry a 4.02 ERA into his next scheduled start, which is slated to come next Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Manager Kevin Cash suggested after Tuesday's 10-0 win over the Orioles that Rasmussen will remain in the Tampa Bay rotation for at least one more turn, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "We'll continue to explore [Rasmussen starting] and just see where it takes us. As long as his bounce-back is good and he's feeling good, kind of why wouldn't we? He's just got a lot of power, and he's got a pretty good three-pitch, four-pitch mix."

Rasmussen technically made his fourth start of the season Tuesday, but since he was used as more of an opener in the first two outings, he's only made two proper turns through the rotation. Because he had been working in relief prior to moving into the rotation last week, Rasmussen has been capped at four innings in his two turns and has been exceptional both times. In Tuesday's win, he held the Orioles scoreless while striking out three and allowing one hit and one walk. Though Chris Archer (forearm) should be back from the 60-day injured list early next week and could slot into the rotation, he's more likely to replace the struggling Michael Wacha or inconsistent Josh Fleming than Rasmussen.

Quintana will start Thursday's game against the Tigers in place of Patrick Sandoval (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Quintana posted a 7.22 ERA through nine starts before going down with an injury in late May, and he's filled a bullpen role since returning from that three-week absence. The veteran lefty has been much better as a reliever with a 3.86 ERA and 20:3 K:BB, but he'll now receive another starting opportunity with Sandoval out with a potentially season-ending injury. Quinatana last pitched Sunday and has thrown only 42 pitches across four outings in August, so he shouldn't be expected to pitch deep into Thursday's contest.

Sandoval was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left lumbar spine stress reaction, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Sandoval struggled against the Astros on Friday, allowing four runs in 4.2 innings, his shortest start since May 17. Manager Joe Maddon said the injury has the potential to be season-ending, but the length of Sandoval's absence isn't clear at this time. It's unclear if the Angels will add another starter to their rotation, or if they'll manage a five-man mix going forward.

Winn is in the league's COVID-19 contact tracing protocols, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Several players and staff members have been impacted by a recent COVID-19 outbreak at Double-A Frisco, and Winn will spend some time away from the team since he's considered a close contact. The right-hander has posted a 2.33 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 19.1 innings across his last five starts, but his return timetable depends on whether he tests positive for the virus.