MLB Player News

Pecko didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, striking out four while allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He picked up his first hold of the season.

Working in long relief for the Astros on Thursday, Pecko delivered a strong performance out of the bullpen. The rookie right-hander has been a serviceable addition to the Houston pitching staff since being promoted to the major leagues in mid-August, giving up one run while working at least 4.1 innings in three consecutive outings. He should have some streaming appeal in fantasy leagues still in play for next week's scheduled appearance at pitcher-friendly Seattle, where he'll bring a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 28.2 innings.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Thursday that Castillo has been moved to the bullpen, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Since being acquired from the Mariners on Aug. 2, Castillo hasn't provided the boost to the rotation that the White Sox had anticipated. Over his seven appearances (six starts) with Chicago, Castillo has labored to a 1-2 record, 7.76 ERA and 1.79 WHIP. In light of his struggles, the veteran right-hander looks like he could be limited to a low-leverage role out of the bullpen the rest of the way. Castillo had been lined up to start Friday versus the Tigers, but rookie David Sandlin is now on track to take over Castillo's spot in the rotation.

Springs (4-14) took the loss Thursday against the Rays, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

Things started off well for Springs, who held Tampa Bay scoreless through three innings. The fourth frame was a different story, however, as the left-hander gave up six runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batter while recording just one out. Coming into the day, Springs had allowed only two runs over 12 innings across his prior two outings. His ERA now sits at 6.18 across 28 starts (138.1 innings) this season with a 1.47 WHIP and 109:56 K:BB. He's currently in line to face the Angels at home his next time out.

Rasmussen (15-5) earned the win Thursday over the A's, allowing four hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

It was another strong outing from Rasmussen, who's given up just five runs over 31 innings in his last five starts. The right-hander's ERA is down to 2.72 across 29 starts (165.1 innings) this season with a 0.93 WHIP and 163:29 K:BB. Rasmussen currently lines up to face the Yankees on the road his next time out.

Povich will rejoin the Orioles this weekend and is likely to make a start against the Brewers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Povich had been slated to start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, but he was scratched from that scheduled outing and could take the ball for the Orioles as soon as Friday. The left-hander has logged a 4.05 ERA and 25:13 K:BB over 33.1 frames covering six starts and one relief outing with the big club this season. With Kyle Bradish (sports hernia) done for the season, Povich could make an additional start next week.

Eovaldi improved to 11-9 on the season after allowing one hit and no walks while striking out one batter over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Red Sox.

Eovaldi made his second relief appearance since coming off the injured list last weekend and shut down the Red Sox. He was needed for length as starter MacKenzie Gore battled muscle spasms in his shoulder and was limited to four innings. After tossing 46 pitches Wednesday, Eovaldi could be built up enough to make an abbreviated start or bulk-relief appearance at some point during the final week of the regular season. The Rangers could have some openings in the rotation, as Gore and Cal Quantrill (back) are battling injuries, while Cody Bradford has gone 0-5 with a 4.72 ERA in his seven starts since returning from the 60-day IL in early August.

Pecko is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Miguel Ullola in Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will go back to an arrangement that yielded strong results in last Friday's 3-1 loss to the Rays. In that contest, Ullola started and tossed a scoreless inning, while Pecko entered the game in the midway through the third. The 24-year-old Pecko proceeded to deliver his best MLB performance to date, limiting the Rays to one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings.

Kikuchi (1-6) allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Mariners.

The five walks were a season high for Kikuchi, who has issued 12 free passes over his last 14.1 innings. He has at least kept the ball in the yard in that span, but the Mariners were able to pick him apart with singles and walks in Wednesday's game. For the season, Kikuchi is at a 5.02 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 58:28 K:BB through 57.1 innings over 12 starts. The southpaw is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Athletics.

Kirby allowed two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Wednesday.

Kirby's five walks were a season high, and it underscores his step back in the command department this season. The right-hander has issued 44 walks this year, already 15 more than in any other campaign of his career, though his 2.3 BB/9 is still pretty good in the general context of the majors. The walk rate has been creeping up lately -- he's issued 19 free passes over 49.2 frames since the start of August. Through 169.2 innings this season, Kirby has a 4.24 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 143 strikeouts. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Astros.

Javier (2-6) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Royals on Wednesday.

Javier dealt with a lot of traffic on the basepaths, but all the damage against him came via a John Rave two-run homer in the fourth inning. This start continued a strong September for Javier, who has a 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings through three starts this month. A matchup with the Mariners in Seattle is likely up next for the right-hander.