MLB Player News

Means (bereavement) won't start Sunday's game against the Nationals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The traditional timeline for spending time on the bereavement list is three days, which would have put Means on track to return Sunday. However, manager Brandon Hyde announced that Asher Wojciechowski will start on short rest for Sunday's series finale against the Nationals. It's unclear when Means will return from the bereavement list, but his next chance to start would be on the road Tuesday against the Phillies.

According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Schmidt "could certainly factor in" with the Yankees' plans at some point this season, but he won't pitch this weekend, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Yankees starters not named Gerrit Cole have been mostly unimpressive this season, but the organization has thus far resisted the temptation to promote its top pitching prospect. Schmidt impressed in spring training and summer camp, so service-time considerations could be a factor in the team's decision to keep him off the active roster. Still, the right-hander could certainly make his major-league debut at some point during the campaign, especially if starters Jordan Montgomery, James Paxton and J.A. Happ continue to struggle.

Suarez (undisclosed) is stretched out to 1-to-2 innings at the Angels' alternate training site, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Suarez has been ramping up in Long Beach after dealing with an unspecified issue. The southpaw is believed to be healthy, and pitching coach Mickey Callaway said Saturday that he could be available to make a spot start in the majors if necessary. However, he'll likely need to increase his workload before he's considered for a regular role on the major-league roster.

Verlander (forearm) isn't progressing as quickly as he'd like to, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Verlander was shut down with a forearm strain after making just one start this season, though he denied initial reports that he'd been ruled out for the year. This latest report doesn't seem to indicate a setback, as it only relates Verlander's recovery to his own aspirations. Manager Dusty Baker added, "He wanted to pitch yesterday." At the very least, it indicates that Verlander isn't making a miraculous recovery, and his chances of playing again this season remain up in the air.

Odorizzi won't throw more than 70 or 75 pitches in his season debut against the Royals, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Back issues popped up for Odorizzi in the middle of camp and delayed his season debut. He threw just over 50 pitches in his most recent live batting practice session, so he won't come close to a full starter's workload Saturday, but there's a chance he pitches deep enough to earn a win if he's efficient and effective.

Odorizzi (back) was activated off the 10-day injured list Saturday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Odorizzi has been recovering from back stiffness since the end of camp, but he'll make his season debut Saturday against the Royals. The right-hander threw 50 pitches his last time facing batters and could throw between 70 and 75 pitches against the Royals, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Josh Donaldson (calf) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Garcia (2-0) allowed an unearned run and blew a save chance Friday against the Pirates but picked up the win in the 17-13, 11-inning game.

Garcia entered in the 10th inning with the Tigers up 13-12. He allowed the automatic runner on second base to score, but got out of the inning without any further damage. The righty then picked up the win when Detroit erupted for four runs in the top of the 11th. Garcia should continue to serve in a middle-relief role for the Tigers.

Bassitt didn't factor into the decision in Friday's contest between the Athletics and the Astros. He gave up one run on three hits and three walks while fanning three across seven innings.

Bassitt posted his first quality start of the season and has looked impressive early on, allowing just two earned runs and posting a 15:4 K:BB in 16.2 innings across his first three starts of the season. He will try to keep this up in his next start, scheduled for Aug. 12 against the Angels on the road.

Greinke took a no-decision Friday when he worked six scoreless innings in an extra-innings loss to Oakland. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out five.

Greinke was cruising when he was removed after 84 pitches. Endurance was an issue earlier in the season for Greinke, but he had thrown 83 pitches in his previous start and held the A's in check Friday. It was a curious decision by manager Dusty Baker, who had rejiggered his starting rotation to have Greinke start Friday's series opener against Oakland, a series the manager described as meaningful. Greinke's next start comes Tuesday at home against San Francisco.

Boyd didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 17-13 extra-innings win over the Pirates, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Making his first trip to the mound since July 29 after Detroit's series against St. Louis was postponed, Boyd had difficulty locating his pitches. The southpaw threw 58 of 95 offerings for strikes, and when he did get the ball over the plate, he caught too much of it. Boyd has yet to find the ace-level form he's flashed the last two seasons, but his 13:5 K:BB through 14.2 innings at least suggests his 9.20 ERA and 1.91 WHIP are due for some major regression. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday, at home against the White Sox.