MLB Player News

Verlander will start Opening Day for the Astros on July 24 against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The veteran right-hander was going to miss the original start of the season after undergoing groin surgery in mid-March, but he'll receive another Opening Day start following the multi-month shutdown. Verlander allowed a career-high 36 homers in 2019, but he still posted an impressive 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 300:42 K:BB over 223 innings to earn his second AL Cy Young award.

Canning (elbow) struck out eight hitters in five innings during an intrasquad game Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Canning's appearance was far from traditional -- he faced only six different batters, most of whom are Triple-A level -- but it is encouraging that the right-hander was able to go five frames after experiencing elbow issues during spring training. Canning appears to have benefited from extended time off and a series of biological injections, and he should be ready to hold down a spot at the back end of the Angels' rotation when the season kicks off.

Bundy took five turns on the mound and struck out eight hitters in an intrasquad game Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Against a lineup of mostly minor-league hitters, Bundy flashed his swing-and-miss arsenal while walking only one batter. It's always wise to avoid getting too excited about exhibition performances, but Bundy has thus far looked outstanding in an Angels uniform between spring training and summer camp. He's lined up to be an important piece of the team's rotation during the abbreviated season.

Javier could make the Opening Day roster, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

The Astros' pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries and absences from camp, and with Javier already on the 40-man roster and fairly accomplished in the upper levels of the minors, he is a natural candidate to step into an early-season role. Javier lacks a plus offspeed pitch or premium velocity, but he has consistently thrived in the minors (2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP in 377 career innings) and he had a 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 170:59 K:BB in 113.2 innings across three levels in 2019. His top pitch is a low-90s "invisiball" that is incredibly deceptive from his low three-quarters arm slot. He projects as a solid No. 4 starter and could be used as a swing man or long reliever in 2020.

The Royals placed Keller (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

Keller and Ryan O'Hearn were both moved to the IL just a few days after they were revealed to have tested positive for the coronavirus, while Salvador Perez was activated from the COVID-19 IL after clearing all health-related protocols. The 24-year-old right-hander is believed to only be contending with mild symptoms of the coronavirus, but his absence from camp will take him out of the mix for the Opening Day nod. Instead, the Royals will have Danny Duffy take the hill when the team begins its season July 24 in Cleveland.

The Red Sox placed Rodriguez (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez was one of three pitchers who recently tested positive for the coronavirus that Boston moved to the IL. The southpaw is apparently coming along well in his recovery from COVID-19, as he's been able to do some throwing at home this week while he remains in quarantine. Rodriguez will have to submit two negative COVID-19 test results before he's able to rejoin the team, but even if he's back with the Red Sox before the conclusion of summer camp, he likely won't be included on the Opening Day roster. Once he reports to the team, Rodriguez will still have to ramp up and get his arm conditioned for starting duty, a process that could result in him missing multiple turns through the rotation.

McCullers allowed four hits, three walks and hit a batter over five scoreless innings during Tuesday's intrasquad game, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers made his second summer start and increased his pitch count from 67 to 74. Next on tap for McCullers is a start in an exhibition game Monday against the Royals. He is expected to serve as Houston's No. 3 starter.

Verlander allowed three hits and struck out six batters over five scoreless innings in an intrasquad game Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander got his pitch count up to 67 (46 strikes) in what was his second-to-last camp outing before likely getting the ball on Opening Day, July 24, against Seattle. His previous outing was a three-inning simulated game. The AL's reigning Cy Young winner appears to be past the groin injury he sustained during spring training.

Valdez is in position to be part of the rotation when the season begins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Valdez moves up the depth chart and is in position for a rotation slot after a few recent developments. The Astros placed presumptive No. 4 starter Jose Urquidy on the 10-day injured list for undisclosed reasons. Additionally, presumptive No. 5 starter Josh James arrived late to camp because he was home for the birth of his daughter. James is expected to be in the rotation when the season starts, per Houston pitching coach Brent Strom, but there is uncertainty at the back end. With Austin Pruitt (elbow) popping up with an injury Tuesday, Valdez is the most likely candidate to start games if a replacement is needed. "His stuff is electric, his bullpens have been great," said Strom. Valdez appeared in 26 games (eight starts) for the Astros in 2019 and posted a 5.86 ERA. Control has been the left-hander's bane; he walked 44 over 70.2 innings in 2019 and 24 over 37 innings the previous year.

Eovaldi is scheduled for a six-inning stint in a scrimmage Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

While manager Ron Roenicke hasn't announced Eovaldi as Boston's Opening Day starter, it's easy to see the right-hander is lining up to start the opener Friday, July 24, when the Red Sox and Orioles kick off the regular season. "I haven't said anything to him yet," Roenicke said. "That conversation will probably happen in the next day or two. But you guys can figure out the numbers there." If all starters were healthy, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez would start the opener, but he's still under the COVID-19 protocol and time is running out for him to be ready by then.