MLB Player News

Keller will start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Yankees after his scheduled start Friday was postponed due to rain, Fox Sports reports.

Keller will oppose All-Star Luis Severino in the front end of the twin bill while Heath Fillmyer and CC Sabathia duel in second game. The 23-year-old right-hander has been volatile over his last five outings, covering seven-plus frames on three occasions and failing to reach five innings the other two times.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn wants to see more from Kopech at Triple-A Charlotte before elevating the right-hander to the major-league roster, Tom Musick of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kopech appears to have fixed the command issues that bedeviled him for much of this season, posting 24 strikeouts against just two walks over his last three outings (17 innings). That includes Thursday's win, his first start all season without a walk. His numbers indicate that Kopech looks ready for a promotion, but Hahn stresses the organization has a longer checklist. "Not until they've answered all those questions we have for them at the minor-league level will we promote them," said Hahn, referring to both Kopech and outfielder Eloy Jimenez.

Keuchel (8-9) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings as the Astros fell 11-2 to the Rangers.

The left-hander dropped his first decision since June 5 and saw his streak of quality starts end at four, although he did keep the Astros in the game until the bullpen fell apart. Keuchel will carry a 3.60 ERA into his next outing Wednesday in Seattle.

Heaney didn't factor into the decision against the Mariners on Friday, giving up three earned runs on seven hits over eight innings, striking out five and walking none as the Angels eventually prevailed 4-3 in 10 innings.

Heaney was extremely efficient in this outing, as he needed just 63 pitches to make it through the first seven innings and ended up only needing 81 to make it through eight frames. However, he ended up costing himself a chance at his seventh win of the season after he gave up the game-tying run in the eighth before departing the contest. Still, it was another solid outing for Heaney, who has quietly been performing as a workhorse starter for the last two months now. This was the seventh time this season he's pitched seven innings or more, and he's now got a 3.64 ERA and a solid 1.13 WHIP. His command has been one reason for the impressive campaign, as Heaney has now struck out 111 batters against just 32 walks through his 116.1 innings.

Stroman (4-7) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 innings while striking out three in a 10-5 victory over the White Sox.

The outcome was never in doubt thanks to a five-homer barrage by the Jays, but the right-hander still came through with his fourth quality start in his last six outings. Stroman now has a 2.98 ERA since coming off the disabled list in late June, and he'll look to continue his current form Wednesday in Oakland.

Sale didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Twins, allowing three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings while striking out 10.

The southpaw certainly pitched well enough to earn his 12th win of the season, recording at least nine strikeouts for the ninth straight start while extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings, but a rare meltdown by Craig Kimbrel kept Sale out of the win column. He'll carry a 2.04 ERA into his next outing Thursday at home against the Yankees.

Lynn didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out three.

Despite his seventh quality start of the year, the right-hander was outpitched by Chris Sale and exited the game after 103 pitches (65 strikes) in line for his ninth loss, but a ninth-inning rally by the Twins took Lynn off the hook. He'll take a 5.10 ERA into his next outing Wednesday at home against Cleveland.

Carrasco didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-3 win over the Tigers, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out eight.

The right-hander generated 19 swinging strikes among his 97 pitches (68 total strikes), and Carrasco has now produced quality starts in each of his first two outings coming out of the All-Star break with a 16:3 K:BB in 13 innings. He'll take a 3.89 ERA into his next start Wednesday in Minnesota.

Nuno (hamstring), who's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, played catch from 90 feet Thursday and completed fielding work, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

It was an excellent tune-up for Nuno ahead of Saturday's bullpen, which will represent another important step in his recovery. The veteran reliever will be throwing to Wilson Ramos, who's in the midst of rehabbing his own hamstring issues. If Nuno emerges from Saturday's activity free of setbacks, a minor-league rehab assignment might be on tap in the coming days.

Paxton (back) threw a bullpen session Friday without issue, so he'll be penciled into the rotation Monday against Houston, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

After Paxton was scratched from Tuesday's start due to back stiffness, he managed to cruise through a bullpen session. He should be ready to go for Monday's tilt, unless he suffers another setback.