MLB Player News

Javier (2-0) earned the win Thursday after holding the Angels scoreless across five innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out nine.

Javier was lights-out in his return to the rotation, recording a career-high nine strikeouts en route to the victory. The 24-year-old's longevity was limited because he ran his pitch count up to 98 -- 62 for strikes -- but he generated 21 swings and misses. Javier, making his first start in nearly two weeks due to Houston's light schedule, was recalled from the alternate training site ahead of Thursday's game. The right-hander will look to carry his momentum into a Tuesday showdown against Seattle.

Cobb (1-1) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Astros after surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out four across 2.2 innings.

Cobb got off to a rocky first inning, loading the bases on back-to-back singles and a walk with two outs. Luckily, the 33-year-old slammed the door by striking out Kyle Tucker to end the frame. Things proved tougher in the second inning, during which Cobb allowed the Astros to put three runs on the board, including giving up a triple to Myles Straw and walking a run in. It was a disappointing outing after the right-hander's 10-strikeout showing in his last start, but Cobb will look to bounce back when he takes the mound again Wednesday at Texas.

Urena allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two across seven innings Thursday against the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.

It looked like it would be a hard day for Urena after he surrendered two runs in the opening frame. However, he allowed only three baserunners across the next six frames, resulting in his second consecutive seven-inning effort. Urena has a 4.57 ERA and 19:12 K:BB through four starts this season and is projected to draw his next start Tuesday at the White Sox.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Stripling (forearm) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Atkins went on to say that Stripling "could be back in the mix in days," suggesting that the Blue Jays are hopeful he'll spend the minimum 10 days on the injured list, or close to it. After Anthony Kay made an unsuccessful spot start in place of Stripling last week, the Blue Jays opted for a bullpen game in Stripling's most recent turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Red Sox. Trent Thornton pitched the first two innings of that game, while Tommy Milone followed him and served as the primary bulk reliever.

The Astros recalled Javier from their alternate training site ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier will be making his first start in nearly two weeks after Houston's light schedule had allowed it to get by with a four-man rotation of late. Per McTaggart, Javier has kept his arm conditioned for starting duty while at the alternate site, with manager Dusty Baker indicating that the right-hander is ready to throw up to 100 pitches Thursday, if necessary. With that in mind, Javier shouldn't face any major restrictions as he rejoins Houston's rotation.

The Yankees recalled German from their alternate training site ahead of his scheduled start Thursday in Cleveland.

New York's fifth starter will return to the big club for his first start since April 10 after the Yankees parked him at the alternate site for two weeks in order to maintain more roster flexibility. Reliever Brooks Kriske was optioned to clear a spot on the 26-man roster for German.

Wacha allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out a batter over 5.2 innings and was not involved in the decision during Wednesday's 9-8 loss to the Royals.

All three runs Wacha let in came via the long ball. Hunter Dozier took him deep to left in the second for a two-run blast and then Jorge Soler led off the fourth by absolutely crushing a fastball down the middle. The 29-year-old Wacha induced just one whiff on 36 swings, as it was his first time managing just one strikeout in a start since Sept. 20, 2019. He'll carry a 4.35 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Athletics on Tuesday.

Bielak allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Rockies.

This was the third multi-inning outing in four appearances for Bielak. He's been part of a bullpen that's been overworked of late, as Astros starters not named Zack Grienke haven't been getting deep into games. In four appearances, Bielak has a 3.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 10 innings.

Quintana didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Rangers, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out eight.

While the southpaw had trouble finding the plate consistently, throwing 53 of 95 pitches for strikes, Quintana's eight K's were a new season high and he exited the game in line for his first win of the year before the Angels bullpen fell apart late. Despite the solid outing, he'll take a 9.00 ERA and 17:11 K:BB through 10 innings into his next start, a road rematch with the Rangers on Tuesday.

Kluber (0-2) allowed two earned runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against Atlanta.

Kluber worked through four innings fairly smoothly prior to running into trouble in his final frame, when he allowed a leadoff single and proceeded to walk three of the next five batters he faced. He exited the game with the bases loaded, though Nick Nelson promptly walked a run in. Through four starts this season, Kluber has yet to complete five innings of work, with Wednesday's outing marking his longest of the campaign. Though Kluber has often been a slow starter, he appears to be a long way from returning to form and has posted a 6.6 BB/9 and 1.8 HR/9 across 15 innings. He'll take the mound Monday at Baltimore.