MLB Player News

Cortes won't start Tuesday's game against the Orioles as anticipated, with the Yankees instead announcing that Luis Gil will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to receive the starting nod, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that he was leaning toward having Cortes make a second turn through the rotation Tuesday as a replacement for Gerrit Cole, who tested positive for COVID-19. After further deliberation, however, the Yankees ultimately chose to call up one of their top pitching prospects to make the spot start. The Yankees haven't announced their plans for Cortes moving forward, but there's a decent chance he picks up another start this week with the team still needing to replace another rotation member in Domingo German (shoulder), who was placed on the injured list Sunday. Cortes -- who tossed five innings of one-run ball July 28 against the Rays -- could be the leading candidate to take the hill when German's next turn comes up Thursday against the Mariners.

Kluber (shoulder) tossed 22 pitches in a live batting-practice session Monday, per MLB.com.

The veteran hurler completed the session at Yankee Stadium, marking his first time throwing to live hitters since late May. According to manager Aaron Boone, the session went well. "It was really another positive step. He felt good coming out of [the session]," said Boone. Kluber still has some obstacles to clear before beginning a rehab assignment, and he remains weeks away from a potential return to the big club.

The Yankees announced Gil has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will start Tuesday's game against the Orioles, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

When he met with the media Monday, manager Aaron Boone said that he was leaning toward having Nestor Cortes make a spot start Tuesday in place of Gerrit Cole, who tested positive for COVID-19. After further consideration, the Yankees will instead turn to one of their top pitching prospects in Gil to fill the rotation opening. Since being promoted from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A in mid-June, Gil hasn't been overly successful over seven starts (5.83 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 37:23 K:BB in 29.1 innings), so the 23-year-old right-hander may have a short leash in his MLB debut. How he fares against Baltimore will likely dictate whether or not he gets the ball again when Cole's next turn in the rotation comes up Sunday in Seattle.

Suarez is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Rangers in Arlington.

Suarez initially appeared on track to start Monday's series opener, but the Angels instead elected to push him back a day in the pitching schedule to open up a spot in the rotation for Chris Rodriguez. The change will likely result in Suarez missing out on a two-start week, though he at least draws a favorable matchup Tuesday versus a Rangers offense that has produced an MLB-worst 52 wRC+ since the All-Star break.

Wacha (2-3) took the loss Monday as the Rays were routed 8-2 by the Mariners, coughing up six runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander survived the first two innings despite some traffic on the basepaths, but the wheels came off for Wacha in a five-run third. He threw 57 of 86 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and he hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his four outings since the All-Star break. Wacha will take a 5.26 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 69:22 K:BB through 75.1 innings into his next appearance.

Flexen (10-5) picked up the win in Monday's 8-2 victory over the Rays, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

A five-run third inning by the M's gave Flexen all the run support he needed, as he tossed 71 of 113 pitches for strikes en route to his 10th quality start of the season. The right-hander's return to North America after he spent 2020 in the KBO has been a resounding success, and he'll carry a 3.75 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 75:24 K:BB through 115.1 innings into his next outing.

Gil's recent social media activity suggests that he was informed Monday that the Yankees intend to call him up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The Yankees have yet to confirm Gil's promotion, but the club will have an opening on the active roster with Gerrit Cole expected to be placed on the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orioles. Since Cole is confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, he'll remain out for at least 10 days, leaving a major void in the rotation. While manager Aaron Boone suggested that Nestor Cortes would likely take the hill in Cole's stead Tuesday, the Yankees will have another hole in the rotation to fill Thursday or Friday against the Mariners since Domingo German (shoulder) was placed on the IL over the weekend. Gil would make for a logical plug-in option, given that he hasn't pitched at Triple-A since July 27. Over 14 starts (61 innings) this season between Triple-A and Double-A Somerset, the 23-year-old right-hander has submitted a 4.13 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 13.0 K/9.

Dunning (5-7) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Monday.

Dunning is in the midst of his best stretch of the season, having gone 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last six outings, spanning 30 innings. He's made the jump from 34 innings pitched in 2020 to 95 innings this season with another two months to go. It's uncertain how much the Rangers will push him, given that they've managed his workload all season. Dunning is next projected to pitch Saturday at Oakland.

Minnesota is considering reducing Ober's workload the rest of the season since he didn't pitch in 2020 and has never thrown more than 78 innings in a season, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins are limiting him to about 80 pitches per start and could give him extra rest between starts late in the season. Even though he sports a 4.94 ERA, Ober has been a pleasant surprise for the Twins with a 9.7 K/BB and 2.7 BB/9. He could put himself in position for a spot in the 2022 rotation with a strong finish to the season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cortes will likely start Tuesday's game against the Orioles, SportsNet New York reports.

With Gerrit Cole having tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Cortes looks like the next man up to join the rotation. After landing on the COVID-19 injured list himself coming out of the All-Star break, Cortes was cleared to return to action a week later and was called on to make a spot start July 28 as a replacement for the injured Michael King's (finger). He allowed one run on three hits while fanning five across five innings in a no-decision versus the Rays.