MLB Player News

Bundy will start Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The right-hander was originally slated to face the Dodgers on Wednesday, but he'll receive an additional day of rest with Ty Blach and John Means starting the first two games of the series. Bundy has a 5.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 142:49 K:BB through 144 innings this season.

Valdez will move to the bullpen as the Astros employ a four-man starting rotation for the final few weeks of the season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old allowed 10 runs on 13 hits with a 19:14 K:BB over 15.2 innings in three starts since rejoining the rotation in late August, but Houston will take advantage of scheduled off days and September's expanded roster to cover the instances when a fifth starter is necessary. Valdez has a 5.62 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 64:40 K:BB through 65.2 innings this season.

Gibson (abdomen) is scheduled to be activated off the 10-day injured list to start Thursday against the Nationals, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It was reported earlier in the week that Gibson was expected to return during the three-game set versus the Nationals, and he'll take the ball in the series finale. The 31-year-old landed on the IL at the start of September with ulcerative colitis, but it won't end up causing an extended absence.

Chirinos (finger) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Chirinos has been dealing with a finger issue since early August. His next step will be a live batting practice session, which is expected to come within the next few days.

Glasnow (forearm) was activated off the 10-day injured list as expected Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow was in the midst of a breakout season before being shut down with a forearm strain in mid-May, recording a 1.86 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP in eight starts. He struck out 30.1 percent of opposing batters while walking just 4.9 percent. He hasn't had the time to build up to a true starter's workload, but he's expected to open Sunday's game against the Blue Jays and throw two or three innings before handing the ball to the bullpen.

Snell (elbow) allowed an earned run on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning while also recording two strikeouts in Triple-A Durham's win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

As his final line indicates, Snell struggled with his control while getting just 12 of his 24 pitches into the strike zone. The rehabbing southpaw did hit his pregame pitch-count mark, while Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Snell consistently hit 94-96 mph with his fastball. It remains to be seen if Snell will have another chance to make an appearance before the Bulls' playoff run concludes, but Topkin reports he is slated for another outing in the coming week.

Luzardo, who recorded seven strikeouts over 5.2 innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Las Vegas in its playoff win over Sacramento on Friday, is fully stretched out and ready for a promotion if the Athletics' front office opts to move forward, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo worked up to 91 pitches in Friday's win and has eclipsed the 90-pitch mark in back-to-back outings. The talented southpaw has also whiffed 17 batters over 11.2 innings in that pair of outings, so his swing-and-miss stuff appears to be in fine form as well. There isn't a spot in Oakland's starting rotation readily available at the moment, but the organization may still opt to give Luzardo his first taste of the big leagues during the stretch run.

Verlander (18-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven.

Coming on the heels of his third career no-hitter against the Jays, Verlander showed no ill effects from his elevated workload in that outing, tossing 74 of 102 pitches for strikes while generating 16 swinging strikes to dominate the M's once again. The right-hander leads the majors with his 18 wins, and he'll carry a 2.52 ERA and 264:36 K:BB through 200 innings into his next start Thursday, at home against the A's.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five-plus innings while striking out five.

The southpaw rose to the challenge of facing off with Justin Verlander, throwing 60 of 92 pitches for strikes and actually keeping Houston off the board entirely until Alex Bregman touched Kikuchi up for a solo shot to lead off the sixth inning. He'll take a 5.24 ERA and 110:48 K:BB through 149.1 innings into his next start Friday, at home against the White Sox.

Civale surrendered one run on three hits and three walks over five innings during Saturday's 5-3 loss to Minnesota. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

The 24-year-old didn't have his best command Saturday and threw only 42 of his 80 pitches for strikes, but he was able to keep the Twins off the board after allowing a solo homer to Mitch Garver in the first inning. Civale continued his impressive rookie campaign and has a 1.93 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB through 46.2 innings. He projects to pitch against the Twins again next weekend.