MLB Player News

Flexen allowed three runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts in six innings versus Detroit on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander earned a quality start, his fourth in 11 outings this year. Flexen has bee adequate as a No. 5 starter with a 4.68 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB across 59.2 innings this season, although inconsistency has been an issue for the 26-year-old at times. He lines up for a favorable matchup at home against Minnesota next week.

Eovaldi (7-3) took the loss Wednesday. He allowed five runs on 11 hits and three walks while striking out five in 5.2 innings versus Houston.

Eovaldi struggled in a four-run third inning, and that was enough to give him his first loss since April 24. The 31-year-old gave up a solo home run to Jose Altuve, just the third long ball he's allowed all season, although all have come within his last four starts. The poor outing inflated Eovaldi's ERA to 4.11 with a 1.29 WHIP and 70:17 K:BB across 72.1 innings this season. The right-hander projects to make his next start versus Toronto.

Javier pitched four scoreless innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-3 win over Boston.

The right-hander performed well in relief of Jake Odorizzi and spared the bullpen at the same time to earn a rare four-inning save. Javier opened the season as a starter, but his last three appearances have been in relief after Houston got some starters back from injury at the end of May. This was Javier's first career save. He's added a 3.02 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 71:26 K:BB across 59.2 innings this year. He'll be a leading candidate to re-enter the rotation should injuries arise, but he won't carry much fantasy value in a bulk-relief role.

Odorizzi (1-3) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in five innings, earning the win Wednesday versus Boston.

The right-hander got off to a shaky start by allowing two runs in the first inning. Odorizzi allowed only one more hit after that, a solo home run by Xander Bogaerts in the fourth. Houston was able to maintain its lead thanks to four innings of one-hit ball out of the bullpen from Cristian Javier. Odorizzi hasn't found much success on the mound with a 6.75 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB across 21.1 innings this season. Wednesday was just the second time in six starts the 31-year-old was able to complete five innings. He lines up to face Texas next week, although it's unclear if he'll stay in the rotation once Lance McCullers (shoulder) returns.

Gibson allowed two runs on four hits, striking out five and walking two over six innings in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

The righty has now achieved a quality start in 10 of his 12 starts this season and has not yielded more than three runs in any outing since his Opening Day debacle. Gibson's 2.13 ERA, slightly inflated by Wednesday's performance, remains the lowest among qualified American League starters. With two off-days upcoming for the Rangers, Gibson is scheduled to start next Wednesday in Houston.

Dunn (shoulder) has progressed to throwing off a mound, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The recovering right-hander's level of progress was described as "great" by manager Scott Servais on Wednesday, lending credence to the notion he'll be activated in the near future and apparently without the need for a rehab assignment. Dunn is first eligible to come off the injured list Friday, but it remains to be seen if he'll spend only the minimum amount of time on the shelf despite Wednesday's positive report.

Kikuchi (knee) is fully expected to make his next scheduled start on Saturday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander has been on the mend since taking a comebacker on his right knee during his start Saturday against the Angels. Kikuchi was officially diagnosed with a bone bruise and inflammation in the immediate aftermath of the injury, but it appears he's continued to make consistent enough progress to allow manager Scott Servais to confirm his pitcher's availability for Saturday's road turn against the Indians.

The Astros recalled Bielak from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Bielak joins the Houston bullpen as a replacement for Joe Smith (elbow), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old right-hander previously made 13 relief appearances for Houston, posting a 3.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 17:8 K:BB in 22.2 innings.

Gonzales (1-4) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Tigers after allowing four runs on five hits and a walk while fanning two across four innings.

Gonzales didn't have his best stuff Tuesday and this outing was a clear step in the wrong direction, as he was coming off four straight appearances in which he allowed two or fewer runs. The left-hander owns a 5.45 ERA across 36.1 innings on the season and is scheduled to take the mound during next week's series at home against the Twins.

Boyd improved to 3-6 on the season after limiting the Mariners to one unearned run over six innings in the Tigers' 5-3 victory Tuesday. He scattered six hits and a walk and struck out three in the 97-pitch start.

Aside from a bumpy second inning in which he allowed two hits and gave up a run on a Jonathan Schoop fielding error, Boyd was otherwise on cruise control during the outing. The Tigers staked him to an early 3-0 lead after one inning, and that would be all the support Boyd would need to silence the Seattle bats. He retired the final seven batters he faced before turning the game over to the relief crew, which was able to maintain the Tigers' lead.