MLB Player News

Rodon (6-5) gave up four runs on six hits in a loss to the Angels on Friday, recording five walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Rodon really lost the game in the third inning as he walked the first two batters, hit Mike Trout to load the bases and gave up a sacrifice fly to Justin Upton before surrendering a three-run homer to Shohei Ohtani. This was Rodon's shortest outing in 16 starts this year and his second straight loss after having won his previous three starts. The lefty still carries a 3.11 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and an excellent .188 batting average against, although his 79:43 K:BB in 104.1 innings is not terribly impressive. His next start will come against the Royals in Kansas City.

Carrasco allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out 14 across eight innings Friday against Toronto. He didn't factor into the decision.

Carrasco surrendered an unearned run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly, followed by another run in the seven. Despite fanning 10 or more batters for the fifth time this season, he left with the game tied 2-2. Carrasco looked sharp following an uncharacteristic outing his last time through the rotation, as he gave up five runs through 6.1 innings versus Tampa Bay on Sunday. The 31-year-old owns a robust 3.43 ERA with 199 strikeouts over 168 innings this season, and his next start is slated for Wednesday against Tampa Bay.

Gray has returned from the paternity list ahead of Friday's game against Seattle, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Gray left the team Monday for the birth of his son, and after missing three games, he'll return to the bullpen. He owns a 4.96 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 116 punchouts over 123.1 innings this season.

Gonzales (neck) will throw a bullpen session Friday and is expected to take the mound for Tuesday's series opener against the Padres, TJ Cotterill of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

As long as all goes according to plan during Friday's mound session, Gonzales will return from the 10-day DL on Tuesday. He tossed a successful bullpen earlier this week and was able to incorporate all of his pitches into the 25-pitch session. He will look to build on that mark Friday, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him have a pitch count Tuesday after being sidelined for a few weeks.

Lively will take on a role in Kansas City's bullpen, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

Lively was claimed off waivers by the Royals earlier this week and will finish out the year in a relief role. Across five starts with the Phillies, he logged a 6.85 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 23.2 innings this season.

McCullers (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Saturday in Boston, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

As expected, McCullers will take to the mound this weekend after throwing off the slope of the mound Tuesday afternoon. The right-hander has been sidelined with a forearm injury since early August and is working his way back to a role in Houston's bullpen for the home stretch.

Bassitt will not start Friday's game against Texas, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Instead, Liam Hendriks will serve as the club's "opener," likely lasting an inning or two before turning the ball over to Bassitt or another member of Oakland's bullpen. If Bassitt is called upon to take over, he should be able to eat up a chunk of innings since he hasn't pitched in the last six days.

Cobb is scheduled to pitch Sunday against Tampa Bay, but he might be held out due to a blister on his pitching hand, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear as to when the issue popped up, but if Cobb can't go, expect Josh Rogers to get the nod. Cobb looked sharp his last time out, notching the win and allowing one run through six innings Tuesday against Seattle.

Eovaldi will be called upon in long relief Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Eovaldi will pitch in relief Tuesday, with Chris Sale expected to serve as the opener, although the southpaw will be held to two innings or 40 pitches. Eovaldi also figures to be at the ready to take over in Sale's next start, with the Red Sox slowly stretching their ace out. Eovaldi's usage going forward will likely depend on how Sale responds after coming back from shoulder inflammation, but unless he suffers a setback, Eovaldi is expected to remain in the bullpen.

Kopech has a UCL tear and has been recommended for Tommy John surgery, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

While his top-end velocity hadn't quite been up to his usual levels in his past few starts, this still comes out of nowhere and is obviously devastating news for Kopech and the White Sox. Kopech is now facing the likelihood of missing all of 2019. The team released a statement confirming the report but said that Kopech will receive a second opinion before any decisions are made regarding surgery.