MLB Player News

Bieber will make his next start Friday against the Tigers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Bieber is battling Adam Plutko for the final spot in the Cleveland rotation, but there will be room for both temporarily with Carlos Carrasco (forearm) on the disabled list through at least Wednesday. Though the performances of both pitchers in their upcoming turns will likely dictate who retains a rotation spot once Carrasco is activated, the fact that Bieber is ahead of Plutko in the pitching schedule hints that he may be viewed as the early frontrunner. Plutko, whose last appearance came June 16, was available out of the bullpen the previous two days and won't make another start until Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Bassitt will not take the mound Thursday against the White Sox as the game has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Look for Bassitt to pitch Friday as it was decided Thursday's postponement would be made up as part of a doubleheader Friday. The Athletics have yet to formally announce their adjusted plan for their starting rotation, but it's expected that everyone else will stay on their previously scheduled start date, with Sean Manaea also toeing the rubber for one of Friday's tilts.

Giolito's start against Oakland on Thursday was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Friday, so expect Giolito to take the hill during one of those contests as the rest of the White Sox's rotation remains the same. Over 14 starts this year, he's posted a 7.19 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with a 40:45 K:BB across 71.1 innings.

Lynn (5-5) allowed one unearned run on three hits and five walks with two strikeouts through five innings to pick up the win Wednesday against Boston.

It was a slog for Lynn, who needed 97 pitches -- just 50 strikes -- to get through five frames. Walks have been a regular issue for Lynn, who has now walked five batters on five separate occasions. Lynn is striking more batters than ever, but it has come at a cost of wildness, as his 5.6 BB/9 is nearly two points worse than his previous career high (3.8 BB/9) set last season with St. Louis. He gets groundballs by the dozens, too, but it's not enough to compensate for the free passes, and despite Wednesday's win, he won't be trustworthy until he tightens up his control. Lynn will take a 4.64 ERA into Tuesday's start against the White Sox.

Kluber (11-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 12-0 rout of the White Sox, allowing only one hit and one walk over seven scoreless innings while striking out seven.

He threw 65 of 96 pitches for strikes while generating 15 swinging strikes, and only that elevated pitch count kept Kluber from going after his seventh career shutout. The right-hander has delivered quality starts in an incredible 15 of 16 outings and now leads the majors with 11 wins, and he'll take a 2.10 ERA with him to the mound in his next start Tuesday in St. Louis.

Morton (9-1) allowed just one unearned run on two hits and four walks with four strikeouts through six innings in a win Wednesday over the Astros.

Morton continues to succeed despite aberrant control. This marks the fifth time Morton has walked at least four batters and the second time he has managed to still complete a quality start despite the free passes. Morton was still nasty, as he induced 15 swinging strikes, and the Rays were never able to mount a serious rally. Morton failed to complete a quality start in his first two starts in May, but he looks to be back on track. He'll get a test against another American League East foe Tuesday against Toronto.

Eovaldi (1-3) allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out five across six innings in a loss Wednesday to the Astros.

Eovaldi gave up a whopping four home runs out of his seven hits allowed, including three home runs to see him off in the sixth inning. He had already allowed a slightly allowed four home runs over his previous three starts combined. The Astros routinely punished him for missing middle-middle, regardless of the pitch -- two came on sliders, one on a cutter, and one on a good old four-seam fastball. Eovaldi is still pumping the gas, but he has to figure out a way to keep the ball in the yard. He'll take a 4.91 ERA into his next start Tuesday against Washington.

Montas (4-1) got the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 6.2 innings against the Padres.

The Oakland offense jumped all over Padres starter Joey Lucchesi, staking Montas out to a 7-0 lead by the third inning as he cruised to a fourth win in his five starts. The 25-year-old was working to just a 4.39 ERA over nine starts with Triple-A Nashville, but has had much more success since joining the big-league club; he's allowed more than two runs just once and has worked into the seventh inning in three of the last four outings. He'll take a 2.41 ERA into Monday's start in Detroit.

Verlander will start Sunday against the Royals, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

With the Astros off the schedule Thursday, Verlander will flip places in the rotation with Gerrit Cole -- who is now slated to pitch Monday against the Blue Jays -- in order to stay on regular rest. Verlander has been absolutely lights out this season, posting a 1.60 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 130:21 K:BB across 16 starts (107 innings), so it makes sense the Astros want to trot him out as often as possible.

Cole will make his next start Monday against the Blue Jays, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

With Houston off Thursday, the Astros have opted to push Cole's next start back by a day to give the right-hander some extra rest while keeping Justin Verlander -- who will start in Cole's place Sunday -- on regular rest. Cole, who owns a 2.59 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 138:30 K:BB across 15 starts (100.2 innings) this season, will now be afforded six days of rest before his next outing.