MLB Player News

The Astros transferred McCullers (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros determined back in November that McCullers wouldn't pitch in 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so the transaction won't affect his recovery timeline. The move merely opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for top prospect Yordan Alvarez, who was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of Sunday's game against the Orioles.

The Athletics optioned Blackburn to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Blackburn served as the 26th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Rangers and started the first game. He lasted only three innings, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks en route to taking the loss. The performance wasn't good enough for the Athletics to justify keeping Blackburn around the next time a fifth starter is needed, so he'll head back to the minors and rejoin Las Vegas' rotation.

Eovaldi (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Sunday and could go on a rehab assignment if all goes well, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Eovaldi threw a simulated game last Tuesday but felt he needed an additional bullpen session to work on mechanical issues before heading out on an assignment.

The Yankees placed German on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left hip flexor strain, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

Lefty reliever Stephen Tarpley was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was added to the active roster in a corresponding move, but the Yankees will require a replacement in the rotation for German during next week's series with the White Sox. Chance Adams seemingly represents the top candidate to join the rotation in place of German, who had posted an 8.59 ERA and 1.64 in his last three outings after claiming wins in each of his prior six decisions. The Yankees should provide further word within the upcoming days whether German's injury is something that will sideline him beyond the minimum amount of time.

Bassitt (3-2) took the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rangers, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out two as the A's fell 3-1.

The right-hander got lifted after 107 pitches (66 strikes), coming up one out short of his fifth quality start of the season. Bassitt will take a 3.57 ERA and 53:20 K:BB through 53 innings into his next outing Friday, at home against the Mariners.

Kikuchi (3-4) allowed seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He took the loss and struck out only one batter.

Kikuchi's previous start was skipped, but the extra time off did not seem to help the 27-year-old. He's lasted only 3.1 innings in each of his last three starts, surrendering 29 hits and 18 runs (16 earned) over that span. His ERA ballooned to 4.99 with 51 strikeouts over 70.1 innings. Kikuchi is scheduled to face the Athletics on Friday in his next start.

Gibson (6-3) was handed the loss Saturday at Detroit after surrendering five runs on eight hits over five innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

Gibson's major undoing Saturday came in the second inning when JaCoby Jones crushed a three-run homer to left field. The 31-year-old's five earned runs allowed Saturday matched the total from his previous three starts. Gibson will carry a 4.14 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 71:17 K:BB into Thursday start versus the Royals.

Valdez allowed one run on five hits across seven innings but didn't factor in the decision in Saturday's loss to the Orioles. He struck out seven and walked none.

Valdez gave up a solo homer to Renato Nunez in the sixth inning but otherwise shut down the O's. The Astros' offense couldn't reward him with the win as the team mustered only four hits. It's not clear when the 25-year-old will make his next start since Houston has a pair of off days next week.

Canning will start Monday's game against the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Canning could have pitched Sunday on regular rest, but he will instead receive an additional day before facing a potent Dodgers lineup. The 23-year-old has a 3.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB through his first seven major-league starts.

Suarez was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Sunday versus the Mariners, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Suarez was optioned to Salt Lake after starting last Sunday but makes a quick return to the majors with Trevor Cahill (elbow) headed to the injured list. It's likely just another spot start for the 21-year-old since Cahill isn't expected to have an extended stay on the shelf.