MLB Player News

Bundy will only throw 50-to-60 pitches in Thursday's start against the Athletics, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

This doesn't come as much surprise given that Bundy hasn't tossed more than 50 pitches in an outing since June 20. Bundy has most recently worked out of the bullpen after struggling as a starter earlier in the season, though that hasn't helped his results as he's allowed three earned runs across three innings as a reliever. Manager Joe Maddon said that a bulk reliever will follow after Bundy, but he declined to name that pitcher in advance.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Severino (elbow/groin) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

After completing a simulated game Thursday without issue, Severino received the green light to move on the final phase of his rehab from Tommy John surgery and a Grade 2 groin strain, the latter of which resulted in him being pulled off his initial rehab assignment in mid-June. The Yankees haven't announced which affiliate Severino will join or what kind of workload he'll handle Tuesday, but he'll most likely be eased in with a light pitch count as he begins the ramp-up process. Severino is expected to stretch out for starting duty, and he could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list to make his 2021 debut for the Yankees in mid-August.

Hancock (shoulder) rejoined the High-A Everett rotation Wednesday, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings in a 2-0 loss to Eugene. He gave up one hit and issued one walk while striking out two in the 35-pitch outing.

Making his first appearance for Everett since June 25 after having been shut down with a sore right shoulder, Hancock was eased back into action with a light workload. Hancock should ramp up his pitch count a bit in his subsequent starts, but the Mariners aren't likely to allow the 22-year-old to work deep into games the rest of the season, given his long-term importance to the organization.

Manager Alex Cora said that Houck -- who was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday -- will be recalled next week to start one game of an Aug. 7 doubleheader in Toronto, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Cora acknowledged that the decision to demote Houck was strictly for the purposes of roster flexibility, as an upcoming off day will allow Boston to get by with a five-man rotation until the doubleheader contest. Houck made his fourth start of the season with the big club Wednesday, which also came during a doubleheader game with the Blue Jays. He limited Toronto to one run over four frames in a no-decision, lowering his ERA to 2.45 over 22 innings on the campaign.

The Red Sox optioned Houck to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Following Wednesday's doubleheader, Boston needed to reduce its roster from 27 to 26 men for Thursday's series finale with Toronto, and Houck was the surprising casualty. After starting the second game of the twin bill and striking out seven over four innings of one-run ball, Houck's ERA now sits at 2.45 over 22 frames on the season. Since he's seemingly established himself as one of Boston's most-trusted staters, his demotion may have been strictly for roster-management purposes. Due to an off day Aug. 2, the Red Sox can get by with a four-man rotation until Aug. 7 in Toronto, when Houck will presumably be called up from Worcester to start one of the two doubleheader games scheduled for that day.

Manager Mike Matheny said Thursday that Singer (shoulder) will likely begin a rehab assignment soon, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Singer has been on the injured list for just over a week due to right shoulder fatigue, but he's felt much better in recent days. Matheny isn't sure what day the right-hander could report to a minor-league affiliate, but he should return to game action soon.

Kikuchi (6-6) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Astros after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks across five innings, striking out seven.

Kikuchi didn't have his best stuff and delivered another subpar outing, as he has now allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last four contests. Even though he has fanned at least seven in three straight outings, the left-hander also owns an inflated 7.71 ERA during that aforementioned four-game stretch.

Ray (9-5) earned the win Wednesday against the Red Sox after tossing six innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out eight.

Ray started the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader and was crisp on the mound en route to his ninth win of the campaign. He managed to bounce back after the Red Sox trounced him for four runs -- including three homers -- across five innings in his previous outing, and he posted his ninth quality start since the beginning of June. In fact, he has allowed one or fewer runs in three of his last four appearances.

Heaney allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings Wednesday against the Rockies. He did not factor into the decision.

Heaney put together back-to-back quality starts this season for just the second time Wednesday after holding the Rockies to three runs over six innings. He got off to a rough start after two-run homer from Trevor Story in the first inning, but he settled in thereafter, only allowing another run to score on a wild pitch in the fourth. The 30-year-old has had an up-and-down season but is currently riding a nice groove heading into August. Heaney owns a 5.27 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 113:31 K:BB over 94 innings and is set up for a rewarding matchup against the Rangers next week.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said Cobb (finger) won't be able to make his scheduled start Thursday against the Athletics, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Dylan Bundy will be summoned from the bullpen to make a spot start in place of Cobb, who appears likely to go on the injured list while he tends to a blister on his right index finger. Cobb sustained the injury during his most recent outing July 23 in Minnesota, where he tossed five innings and gave up two runs (one earned) in a no-decision.