MLB Player News

Perez (elbow) allowed one run on six hits while striking out six over 6.1 innings for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Perez reached 87 pitches (58 strikes) in his third rehabilitation start, which could be his final one. Manager Jeff Banister said if the left-hander's scheduled bullpen session Saturday goes without incident, Perez could rejoin the Rangers next week.

Gonzales (9-5) allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Angels.

Gonzales held the Angels to just one extra-base hit -- a double by Mike Trout -- though he didn't work especially efficiently, requiring 102 pitches to complete his six innings. Though he induced an ordinary 11 swinging strikes, Thursday's start marked only the second time in his past 10 starts that he was able to strike out more than one batter per inning. While that detracts from his value, his ratios and wins are enough to make him a solid option in most league formats.

Rodon took a no-decision Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and six walks in six innings during the 4-3 loss to Houston. He struck out six and yielded a home run.

Despite the sloppy stat line, Rodon held Houston off the scoreboard until Jose Altuve hit a two-run shot in the fifth inning. The 25-year-old lefty now owns a 4.29 ERA in 35.2 innings with a 28:15 K:BB. He's finished at least six innings in just half his starts so far this year. Rodon will host St. Louis on Wednesday for his next turn in the rotation.

Verlander twirled seven innings Thursday, yielding two runs on four hits while striking out 10 in a 4-3 win over the White Sox. He allowed a home run and failed to factor into the decision.

Typically, Astros starters don't have a problem receiving run support, but Verlander wasn't lucky enough to earn a win with the strong outing. The 35-year-old has been so good this season, his ERA actually went up from 2.12 to 2.15 Thursday. At any rate, Verlander's 154:24 K:BB remains tremendous as he pushes forward with his Cy Young campaign. He'll matchup against Oakland for his next start Tuesday.

Boyd (4-7) took the loss Thursday against the Rangers, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits over four innings. He struck out three.

Boyd didn't allow a run in the first inning, but then allowed multiple runs in the second, third and fourth before exiting the game. The key blows were a pair of two-run home runs by Joey Gallo and Ronald Guzman. Boyd has now allowed five or more earned runs three times over his past four starts, which has pushed his season ERA up to 4.58. Memories of the 3.23 ERA he held before this rough stretch are fading quickly, as Boyd is increasingly looking like a risky fantasy play. The lefty will try to turn it around in his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday in Tampa Bay.

Whitley left Thursday's start with left oblique discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros' top prospect lasted just 17 pitches before leaving his start with the issue. The organization has yet to determine whether Whitley will need a stint on the disabled list, and general manager Jeff Lunhow said that the club will have more information Friday. Whitley owns a 4.43 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 20.1 innings at Double-A Corpus Christi this season.

Whitley left Thursday's outing after 17 pitches due to an undisclosed injury, Len Hayward of The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports.

According to Hayward, Whitley appeared to point to his lower back during an early mound visit before being removed from the game. Hayward adds that Whitley had a lat strain earlier in the season, but it's unclear whether Thursday's issue is related in any way. Regardless, Whitley's status will be one to monitor closely in the coming days as he's the top prospect in a loaded Astros organization.

Perez (elbow) is expected to throw 85-90 pitches when he makes his third rehabilitation start Thursday at Triple-A Round Rock, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

This could be Perez's final rehab start before rejoining the Rangers. The pitch count puts him on schedule to re-enter the starting rotation sometime next week, possibly Tuesday at Boston.

Whitley will represent the Astros at the Futures Game on July 15, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley, who will start Thursday for Double-A Corpus Christi, had a delayed start to the season after serving a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug prevention and treatment program. Since his return to the Hooks, Whitley's had three consecutive scoreless starts before getting tagged for 10 earned runs in his last two outings. He has yet to pitch more than 4.1 innings any of his five starts.

Cole allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in Wednesday's win over the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Cole induced 19 swinging strikes, but it was otherwise not his sharpest outing. In addition to the season-high eight hits (including a home run and two doubles), the 27-year-old also hit a batter and threw a wild pitch en route to falling in a 4-0 hole in the third inning before the Houston offense picked him up. Cole is still enjoying a very successful first season with the Astros, but he's starting to fall back a bit from the ridiculous pace he was working at through the first two months. He's now allowed at least four runs three times in five starts and has walked 15 over 29 innings in that span. He'll take a 2.70 ERA and 158:38 K:BB through 116.2 innings into Monday's start against the Athletics.