MLB Player News

Kikuchi (personal) is still awaiting the birth of his first child, but he remains on track to make his next start Friday against the Athletics, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi headed home Sunday with his wife's delivery imminent, and although the situation is essentially the epitome of "day-to-day," the expectation for the time being is that the left-hander will make his next start. Kikuchi has taken his fair share of lumps during his first season stateside, as evidenced by his 5.12 ERA and 1.51 WHIP.

Odorizzi was pulled from Tuesday's game versus the Athletics due to a right middle finger blister, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi was visited by the athletic trainer after giving up a grand slam during the fourth inning Tuesday and exited the game after throwing a couple more pitches. The severity of the issue is not yet known, but the Twins could play it safe and wait until after the All-Star break to give the 29-year-old his next start, which is currently scheduled for Sunday.

Odorizzi was removed from Tuesday's game at Oakland with an apparent finger issue, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi was visited by manager Rocco Baldelli and the athletic trainer during the fourth inning and they appeared to be examining one of his fingers before he exited the game. The 29-year-old gave up six runs (five earned) across three innings prior to leaving the contest. The specifics of the issue remain unclear, but if there is any concern at all the team could push his next start -- currently scheduled for Sunday -- to after the All-Star break.

Paxton allowed one earned run on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings Tuesday against the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.

Paxton surrendered just a solo home run to J.D. Davis across his six innings of work -- only his second quality start in seven chances since coming off the injured list May 29. Despite the outing being positive overall, Paxton was uncharacteristically unable to generate much deception with his pitches, recording just 12 swinging strikes on 103 total pitches. He'll have one more chance to put it all together prior to the All-Star break, drawing the start Sunday at the Rays.

Morton (9-2) allowed one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out 12 across seven innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Orioles.

Morton's sole blemish of the contest came on a solo home run by Chris Davis in the third inning. Otherwise, he held the Orioles without an extra-base hit and didn't allow a baserunner into scoring position until his final frame. It was his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season, and he's now racked up 132 punchouts across 107 innings. Morton has also supplied stellar ratios, maintaining a 2.36 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He'll look to end the first half of the season with a strong start on Sunday against the Yankees.

Boyd won't make his scheduled start Tuesday versus the White Sox since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Boyd will end up receiving a couple extra days of rest and will take the mound Thursday in Chicago. The 28-year-old was previously scheduled to start Sunday as well, but the postponement will cost him the chance for a two-start week.

Urquidy was called up as expected for his big-league debut Tuesday against the Rockies, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old will be thrown right into a very difficult first assignment in Denver, though he looks to have the skills to succeed at the big-league level. In 43.2 innings for Triple-A Round Rock, he recorded a strong 2.89 ERA, striking out an impressive 37.0 percent of opposing batters while walking just 5.8 percent. A decent showing at Coors Field could give him the chance to remain in the Astros' rotation, with Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reporting that Urquidy is expected to get at least one more start Sunday against the Angels.

Mejia (calf) was activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Mejia hasn't pitched since the end of April due to a calf strain. He posted a very poor 8.74 ERA in 11.1 innings prior to suffering the injury and will have to be significantly better if he's to keep a bullpen job. Ronald Torreyes was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.

The Angels list Suarez as their starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

Suarez was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday with the expectation that he would start later that night before the contest was postponed following the death of teammate Tyler Skaggs. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, both teams are prepared to play Tuesday's game as scheduled, so Suarez will stay on turn to pitch in the series opener. The Angels will first require a new rotation member Saturday in Houston.

The Yankees recalled Cortes from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Cortes will be able to return to the big leagues just three days after being optioned since his promotion corresponds with first baseman Luke Voit's (abdomen) placement on the 10-day injured list. As was the case in his earlier stints with the Yankees, Cortes is expected to serve as a long man out of the bullpen. All but one of his nine appearances with the big club this season have consisted of multiple innings, with Cortes posting a 5.22 ERA and 31:6 K:BB across 29.1 frames.