MLB Player News

Allard will replace Corey Kluber (shoulder) in the Texas rotation and make his first start Sunday in San Francisco.

Due to off days Thursday and next Monday, the Rangers could have waited until Aug. 8 against the Angels to break in a new fifth starter to replace Kluber, but Allard will get the opportunity to join the rotation this weekend. While Allard draws a favorable matchup against a poor Giants offense at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park, his fantasy profile isn't an especially interesting one. At this stage of his career, Allard excels more at inducing weak contact than he does making bats miss, as evidenced by a meager 7.3 swinging-strike percentage through 53.1 career MLB innings.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said that Bubic will be promoted from the team's alternate training site to start Friday's home opener against the White Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

After one of the Royals' top pitching prospects in Brady Singer previously broke summer camp as a member of the big-league rotation, Kansas City won't wait long to bring another one of its more well-regarded young arms up for his MLB debut. Bubic's callup is more unexpected, as the 22-year-old lefty has yet to even pitch at the Double-A level. He was highly impressive while splitting time between Low-A Lexington and High-A Wilmington in 2019, leading the entire minor leagues in strikeouts (185) in just 149.1 innings. Bubic may continue to induce swings and misses at a decent clip in the majors, but expect some rough patches in light of his lack of high-level experience.

Anderson (oblique) was able to throw three innings in a simulated game Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Per manager Charlie Montoyo, Anderson "looked really good." The workload suggests the right-hander could be close to coming off the injured list, but with Nate Pearson now having made his debut, it's unclear whether there will be room for Anderson in the rotation once he's healthy.

Eovladi picked up a no-decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings in a 6-5 win over the Mets.

Eovaldi put the Red Sox in a position to halt their four-game losing skid against Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom. Eovaldi is bearing the mantle of Boston's No. 1 starter well through the first two starts, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

Javier allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over 5.2 innings while taking a no-decision in a 4-2 extra-innings loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Javier was tapped as the fill-in starter for the injured Justin Verlander (forearm) and turned in an effort worthy of the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Unfortunately, Houston's batters failed to support the rookie who had two innings of experience above Double-A prior to the season. The Astros left 15 men on base and went 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position. The right-hander's next start is expected Tuesday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Heaney took a no-decision during Wednesday's loss against the Angels despite giving up two runs on five hits and a walk while fanning six across five innings.

Heaney departed the game in the top of the sixth after walking J.P. Crawford, and reliever Mike Mayers gave up five runs while recording just two outs. Despite that, Heaney delivered a strong performance on the mound, and his next chance to start will come Aug. 5 on the road against Seattle once again.

Dunn didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-7 win over the Angels. He gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and three walks while fanning two across three innings.

Dunn surrendered a three-run shot to Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the fourth on an 0-2 count, but that would be all the damage he'd allow in what was a short three-inning outing for the 24-year-old right-hander. He should remain as the team's sixth starter moving forward, with his next chance to pitch looking like Aug. 4 against the Angels once again.

The Twins don't have any specific plans for when Odorizzi (back) will return to the rotation, manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB.com. "He's been stretching things out again, playing catch, still feels good," Baldelli said.

Odorizzi is set to throw a bullpen session in the next day or two, but the Twins didn't have specific details before Wednesday's game. While Baldelli says Odorizzi is improving, it doesn't sound like he'll return to face the Indians in the team's next four-game series, although the Twins haven't announced their rotation beyond Thursday. Odorizzi's return to the rotation may not be for another week or more.

Hill (1-0) earned the win against St. Louis on Wednesday, completing five scoreless innings and allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two.

Hill was efficient in his five frames, throwing 41 of 68 pitches for strikes and limiting the Cardinals to a pair of singles and a walk. He racked up only two strikeouts, but fantasy managers who drafted Hill with the hope that he will thrive with his new team have to be pleased with his opening performance. The southpaw has averaged over a punchout per inning every season since 2011, so there's good reason to expect increased strikeouts moving forward. Hill's next scheduled start will come on the road against Pittsburgh on Monday.

Cole (2-0) earned the win against Baltimore on Wednesday, completing 6.2 innings and allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Cole's final stat line may look moderately underwhelming considering the opponent, but he breezed through his first six innings allowing only one hit -- a first-inning, run-scoring double off the bat of Jose Iglesias -- before tiring in the seventh. He was lifted following his 102nd pitch after allowing three straight extra-base hits, including a two-run home run to Dwight Smith. Cole will face the Orioles again -- this time on the road -- in his next scheduled start Monday.