MLB Player News

Flexen is listed as the Mariners' probable starter for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

The right-hander originally lined up to start Wednesday, but Seattle instead utilized an opener while Darren McCaughan served as the primary pitcher. Flexen has a 1.77 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB in 45.2 innings over his past seven starts and will attempt to continue his strong run Thursday against Oakland.

Wacha allowed three runs on six hits and struck out two in five innings of Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

The righty was incredibly efficient, not issuing any walks and requiring just 58 pitches to complete the five innings. A pair of solo home runs slightly diminished what was otherwise a solid outing for Wacha, who now has a 5.16 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 66.1 innings this season. Inconsistency has been the story of his season, although that may be attributable to his varied roles as a starter, reliever and a bulk pitcher following openers. Wacha figures to be in the rotation for the remainder of the season and is expected to make his next start Wednesday against the Yankees.

Kluber (shoulder) is tentatively scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Before locking Kluber in for his first mound work since he landed on the injured list in late May, the Yankees will re-evaluate the right-hander Thursday. He's been throwing off flat ground for several weeks now, and he increased his distance to 120 feet in Wednesday's session. The Yankees are hopeful that the right-hander will be ready to return from the 60-day injured list at some point in September.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (elbow) is scheduled to make his third rehab start at Double-A Portland on Sunday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Sale will stick around in Portland after he turned in another encouraging outing in his second rehab start Tuesday versus Harrisburg. He struck out six and issued one walk over 3.2 no-hit innings, building his pitch count up to 49 (34 strikes) in the process. Sale will likely need two or three more rehab appearances before he's fully ramped up for starting duty with the big club, and the results he's turned in thus far both from a statistical and observational standpoint offer hope that he'll quickly re-emerge as a frontline starter when he returns from the 60-day injured list. According to Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican, Sale's fastball topped out at around 97-to-98 miles per hour Tuesday, and he commanded his full arsenal well.

Manoah (back) hopes to return to the starting rotation Monday in Boston, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah suffered a right back bruise after he slipped on the dugout steps recently, but he's been optimistic that he'll only miss one turn through the rotation. He felt fine after playing catch in recent days, but Thomas Hatch will be available as a backup option in case the right-hander isn't ready to return.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said Bubic will start Friday's game against the Tigers, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Bubic opened the second half in a bullpen role for Kansas City, but he'll reclaim a spot in the rotation after the Royals placed Danny Duffy (forearm) and Brady Singer (shoulder) on the injured list Tuesday. After Singer lasted only two innings in his most recent start Saturday, Bubic impressed in long relief, giving up one run on two hits and three walks while striking out five in six frames. Bubic is thus sufficiently stretched out to handle a starter's workload as he slots back into the rotation.

German didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Phillies after allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while fanning five across four innings.

German was never expected to pitch deep into this game considering he was on three days of rest, but he still tossed 41 of his 70 pitches for strikes while limiting the damage across the board. The right-hander has gone eight straight outings without completing the five-inning threshold, though. His next start is scheduled for the upcoming weekend series against the Red Sox on the road.

Houck will start Thursday's game against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Houck was initially slated to start Wednesday's series finale against the Blue Jays, but Garrett Richards will now take the mound after Tuesday's contest was postponed. However, the young right-hander will make his third big-league start of the year Thursday. Across four appearances (two starts) this season, he's posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 13.1 innings.

Ober allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings against the White Sox on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Ober picked up his first major-league victory after tossing five shutout innings against the White Sox earlier this month but was not as sharp this time out. The White Sox got to him for two quick runs in the first inning and then Yoan Moncada delivered a big blow with a two-run homer in the third to make it a 4-1 ballgame. Ober has yet to go more than five innings in any of his nine starts and is averaging just over 70 pitches per outing, usually making it difficult for him to qualify for a win. The 25-year-old currently owns a 5.45 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB over 38 innings. He's currently lined up for a meeting with the Angels over the weekend.

Garcia (7-5) allowed three hits and struck out eight over six scoreless innings to earn the win over Cleveland on Tuesday.

Garcia was brilliant in earning his seventh win over the last 11 starts. Cleveland threatened in his final inning by putting the leadoff runner on, but Garcia wiped out the next three batters and ended his night after 79 pitches (58 strikes). He lines up to pitch next Monday on the road in Seattle.