MLB Player News

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday that Whitley will likely pitch in games at extended spring training rather than immediately reporting to Double-A Corpus Christi when his 50-game suspension ends May 29, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

At some point after Whitley was suspended Feb. 21 for violating baseball's drug program, Luhnow revealed that the Astros' top pitching prospect sustained a minor lat injury that briefly shut him down for a couple weeks. As a result, Whitley's throwing program has been delayed slightly longer than expected, so he'll need additional time to build up his arm in Florida before likely entering Corpus Christi's rotation in the second week of June. Once he settles into a normal pitching schedule at Corpus Christi, Whitley probably won't take long to assert his dominance and warrant a promotion to the majors, though Houston's unmatched rotation depth could prompt the 20-year-old to make his big-league debut out of the bullpen.

Nuno was recalled from Triple-A Durham ahead of Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Nuno will head to the majors after Tampa Bay placed Jake Faria (oblique) on the 10-day disabled list. The 30-year-old left-hander has starting experience in the big leagues and sports a 3.79 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 38 frames with Triple-A this season, but it's not expected he'll get the first shot at replacing Faria in the rotation. Instead, Nuno should just offer some length out of the bullpen after Faria's abbreviated start Tuesday put extra strain on the Tampa Bay bullpen.

Manning struck out nine over six scoreless innings Tuesday for Low-A West Michigan. He scattered three hits and one walk in the start.

It was the best of the right-hander's six starts this season, with Manning pounding the zone for 58 strikes on 87 pitches and whiffing the side in the second inning. Perhaps more significantly, Manning walked just one batter for the second time in three starts, an encouraging sign after he issued 12 free passes in his first three outings of the season. If the 20-year-old continues to curb the walks in his subsequent starts, he'll likely earn a promotion to High-A Lakeland at some point this summer.

Cole (5-1) struck out eight and walked three in Tuesday's win over the Giants, allowing two runs on four hits in six innings.

The only runs Cole allowed came via a two-run homer by Brandon Crawford in the fifth. The right-hander was otherwise very effective, although he did need 106 pitches (67 for strikes) to get through six innings. Cole now has a ridiculous 101:17 K:BB in 67.2 innings, and his 0.83 WHIP and .169 batting average against are both good for second in the majors. His next start will be in Cleveland for a matchup with the Indians.

Gausman struck out 10 in 6.1 scoreless innings Tuesday, allowing nine hits and one walk in a no-decision against the White Sox.

Gausman had a two-run lead when he left the game, but the Orioles' bullpen gave it up. This was Gausman's sixth quality start on the year, and perhaps his most impressive of all, as he recorded a career-high 25 swinging strikes to befuddle the White Sox lineup. He now has an excellent 58:15 K:BB and 3.48 ERA in 62 innings and should be a solid option in his next projected start Sunday against the Rays in Tampa Bay.

Hamels (3-4) struck out seven and walked two in seven innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits en route to a win over the Yankees.

Returning from a few extra days of rest due to a minor neck issue, Hamels gave up a couple of solo home runs and surrendered no extra-base hits otherwise. He's now thrown three consecutive quality starts, and hasn't allowed more than two runs in his last five starts. The veteran lefty has a 64:23 K:BB in 58.2 innings, and is holding opponents to a .221 batting average. He'll next face off against the Royals in a start at home.

German (0-2) gave up six runs on four hits in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers, recording six strikeouts and three walks in 3.2 innings.

German gave up a three-run homer to Jurickson Profar in the first, and then allowed two more runs in the second through a series of walks, hit batters and wild pitches. German threw three wild pitches on the night, and was at 85 pitches (50 for strikes) when he was taken out in the fourth. After throwing six hitless innings in his first start of the season May 6, the young righty has allowed six runs in each of his last two starts. His next start will be against the Astros at home.

Blackburn (forearm) is throwing in extended spring training and could begin an official rehab assignment next week according to Athletics head trainer Nick Paparesta, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Blackburn has been progressively working his way to health while throwing to hitters over the last several days. It appears he's getting closer to game action, which could leave him poised for a June season debut if he remains free of setbacks.

Lynn (2-4) earned the win Tuesday, shutting out the Tigers over 6.2 innings with four strikeouts while allowing five hits and a walk.

Lynn stayed out of trouble by keeping the ball on the ground, as he recorded 14 groundouts versus just two flyouts. It was just the second time all season he walked fewer than two batters, and the improved command was a very welcome sight, as Lynn entered Tuesday's tilt with an abysmal 7.0 BB/9. The 31-year-old still carries a bloated 6.34 ERA and may be in jeopardy of losing his spot in the rotation at some point if his early-season troubles persist much longer, but he figures to be safe in the short term. His next start is slated to come Monday against the Royals.

Sale (5-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks across 7.2 innings while earning the win Tuesday against the Rays. He struck out nine.

Sale pounded the strike zone at a 65 percent clip and finished with at least nine strikeouts for the fourth straight start. He allowed a solo home run in the fourth inning and was charged with an unearned run after a passed ball set up a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Sale has been simply outstanding this season, compiling a 2.17 ERA and a 12.3 K/9 while allowing two earned runs or fewer in eight of 11 starts. He'll look to keep it up Sunday against the Braves.