MLB Player News

Kikuchi (neck) is feeling better and is likely to make his next start Thursday against the Dodgers, the Associated Press reports.

The left-hander was scratched from Friday's start against the Astros due to neck spasms, but after taking muscle relaxers over the weekend, Kikuchi is apparently firmly on the road to recovery. Nestor Cortes stepped in as the emergency starter in the 29-year-old's stead Friday and yielded eight runs (seven earned) on five hits over one-third of an inning, so manager Scott Servais will undoubtedly be glad to see Kikuchi back in the rotation.

Kaprielian allowed an earned run on a solo home run over two innings in a win over the Giants on Sunday. He also issued a walk and recorded a strikeout.

The right-hander was put right to work after being recalled from the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose earlier in the day, and he showed well overall despite surrendering a solo homer to Brandon Crawford. Kaprielian is a promising prospect that posted a 32:8 K:BB across 31.2 innings between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas last season, and his current tenure with the big-league club could last at least through Burch Smith's (forearm) stay on the injured list.

The Tigers announced that Skubal will be called up from their alternate training site to make his big-league debut Tuesday against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Both Skubal and Casey Mize will make their debuts this week, with Mize set to start Wednesday. Mize has the greater reputation of the pair, as he was the first overall pick in the 2018 Draft in which Skubal was taken in the ninth round, but Skubal has been the more dominant arm thus far in his professional career. Neither pitcher has reached Triple-A, but Skubal was incredible in his nine starts for Double-A Erie last season, posting a 2.13 ERA that was backed up by an absurd 48.2 percent strikeout rate. It's unclear how close he'll come to that number at a much higher level of competition, as he doesn't have much of note in his repertoire outside of his excellent fastball. The pitch has earned rave reviews from scouts thanks to its combination of movement and velocity, however, and it could continue to carry him as he begins his big-league career.

The Tigers announced Monday that Mize will be called up from their alternate training site to make his big-league debut Wednesday against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 first-year player draft heads to the majors after making just 26 career minor-league starts. While none of those starts came at the Triple-A level, he did produce a 3.20 ERA in 15 trips to the mound for Double-A Erie last season, combining a decent 23.5 percent strikeout rate with a strong 5.6 percent walk rate. While it might be a surprise to see Mize post big strikeout numbers in the majors right away given his relatively modest marks in that category two levels lower last season, the 23-year-old has an impressive and deep repertoire and could certainly add more whiffs as he matures. Injury issues remain the biggest question mark in his profile, as he missed time with a shoulder strain last season. Detroit is expected to wait until Wednesday to formally add Mize to its 40-man and 28-man active rosters.

Clevinger isn't guaranteed to be recalled from the Indians' alternate site to make a start for the big club during its upcoming series with the Tigers next weekend, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Cleveland placed Clevinger on the restricted list Aug. 11, three days after he and rotation mate Zach Plesac broke protocol by going out in Chicago the night of the Indians' victory over the White Sox. While Plesac was caught trying to return to the hotel the morning of Aug. 9 and subsequently sent back to Cleveland, Clevinger boarded the Indians' team plane later that day before it was known that he too had broken protocol. The poor decisions of Clevinger and Plesac has reportedly caused some strife within the Cleveland locker room, making it uncertain when either pitcher will be recalled. Since both Clevinger and Plesac were optioned to the alternate site Friday, neither will be eligible to rejoin the active roster for 10 days (Aug. 24), unless the Indians place a player on the injured list. With that in mind, Adam Plutko seems likely to get another turn as the Tribe's fourth starter Friday in the series opener against Detroit, while the recently recalled Logan Allen could make a spot start when a fifth member of the rotation is first needed Saturday.

Means allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while failing to record a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's loss to the Nationals. He didn't factor into the decision.

Means had a long layoff since he had to clear intake testing following his stay on the bereavement list, so he was reportedly only cleared for two innings of work Sunday. However, he was roughed up in the first inning, resulting in the shortest start of his career. After the game, manager Brandon Hyde said that the team will build Means up slowly, and it's possible that he could continue to piggyback with Jorge Lopez in the near future, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports. His next time on the mound should come at home Friday against the Red Sox.

Allard (0-1) allowed six earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four across three innings to take the loss Sunday against the Rockies.

Allard struck out the side in the first inning and looked in command. However, things quickly took a turn for the worst in the second frame, as he allowed a three-run home run and subsequently allowed two more runs to cross the plate. Allard showed glimpses of promise, generating 10 swinging strikes in 65 pitches. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, currently projected to come Friday at Seattle.

Teheran (0-2) gave up four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three in 3.1 innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Keibert Ruiz and Max Muncy took Teheran deep in the third inning, and the right-hander was replaced by Matt Andriese early in the fourth. Sunday was the first time Teheran has worked into the fourth inning. He tossed 60 pitches (36 strikes) in the appearance. Teheran has a 12.38 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and six strikeouts in eight innings this year. He'll try to chip away at those crooked numbers Friday in Oakland.

Chirinos allowed two runs on five hits across 2.2 innings Sunday, striking out three in the win over Toronto. He did not factor in the decision.

In his first start since being activated from the injured list with a tricep injury, Chirinos threw just 50 pitches but was fairly effective. He kept the Blue Jays off the board after allowing a two-run shot to Randal Grichuk with no outs in the first inning. The 26-year-old righty will carry a 2.38 ERA into Friday's home rematch with the Blue Jays.

McCullers allowed two runs on three hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch over 5.2 innings of work in Sunday's 3-2 win over Seattle. He stuck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Outside of a rocky third inning in which McCullers allowed two runs on a hit-by-pitch, walk and two singles, the right-hander pitched well for his second straight outing. After consecutive shaky starts on July 31 and Aug. 5 swelled his ERA to 9.22, McCullers now has that number down to a more respectable 5.47. He'll look to continue his momentum Friday in San Diego.