MLB Player News

Heaney (elbow) has rejoined the Angels, and the team is simply waiting for him to throw a bullpen session before slotting him back into the rotation, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Heaney has looked sharp through six minor-league rehab games -- compiling a 2.70 ERA over 27.2 innings -- and he was able to run his pitch count up to 94 in his most recent outing, so he appears to be ready to rejoin the big-league rotation. The 26-year-old has only pitched more than 30 big-league innings in one season, posting a 3.49 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through 105.2 innings back in 2015. The Angels will wait for him to come through a bullpen session before determining when his next start will be.

Mejia (biceps) is hoping to resume throwing Wednesday or Thursday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Although he hasn't thrown since injuring himself last Tuesday, Mejia said his upper arm is feeling better. If he continues to trend in the right direction, he's hoping to pick up a throwing program in the coming days, at which point there should be a clearer idea about his possible return date. Dietrich Enns should continue to fill in for Mejia in the rotation.

Manager A.J. Hinch said McCullers (back) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Monday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers has been playing catch for about a week, but Monday marked the first time he was able to throw off a mound since landing on the disabled list at the end of July. While he's inching closer to a return, he'll still need to progress to facing hitters before eventually being cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment. In the meantime, Brad Peacock will continue to start for Houston.

The Tigers and Astros have been discussing a trade involving Verlander, although a deal remains a "long shot," Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

The two teams discussed a deal before the July 31 deadline, but nothing came of the chatter. Verlander's contract ($28 million owed in both 2018 and 2019, and a $22 million option for 2020) was reportedly a stumbling block at the time, so conceivably the Tigers would have to eat a decent portion of his salary. But to do that, the team may ask for prospects that Houston isn't willing to part with, which is why sources believe a gap still remains between the teams. Verlander is scheduled to take the mound Tuesday against the Rangers.

Manager Buck Showalter said Bundy's next turn through the rotation would be skipped, with the right-hander expected to return to the bump either Aug. 22 or 23 against the Athletics, Josh Horton of MLB.com reports.

Managing Bundy's workload carefully has been a top priority for the Orioles all season, but the team's decision to bypass the youngster for his originally scheduled start against the Angels over the weekend comes at an inopportune time for fantasy owners. The 24-year-old has turned in quality starts in three straight outings while posting a 25:4 K:BB over 21 innings, assuaging some concerns some may have had about a second-half fade. That said, the Orioles are committed to protecting Bundy's arm at all costs, so he'll pick up some extended rest ahead of his next start, which could become a recurring trend the rest of the season.

Gausman (9-8) tossed seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts to earn the victory Monday over the Mariners.

Gausman is on a roll, as he has now tossed five quality starts in his last six outings. This is his best stretch of the season, in which he is enjoying a 4-1 record, 1.80 ERA and a 44:12 K:BB over 40 innings. Gausman has established himself as the ace of this Orioles staff, and if the Orioles are going to make a run at a postseason spot, it will be on his back.

Perez (7-10) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two batters through six innings while earning Monday's win over Detroit.

Perez was coming off his best start of the season, so this was an excellent follow up, and he's now allowed just three runs through 14 innings over his past two outings. However, while the recent trend is encouraging, the 26-year-old lefty still owns an underwhelming 5.08 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 5.7 K/9 for the campaign. He remains more of a flier than a go-to asset in the majority of settings. Perez lines up to face the White Sox at Globe Life Park in Arlington in his next start.

Odorizzi (6-6) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks across six innings in taking Monday's loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

Odorizzi, who yielded a two-run home run to Josh Donaldson in the first inning, cruised through the next five frames to a quality start. Unfortunately, the Rays bats couldn't solve Nick Tepesch on the other end, dropping Odorizzi to his sixth loss of the season. He dealt with a foot issue after being struck by a batted ball in his previous outing, but that did not appear to limit him in this one. Odorizzi will look to build off of this solid outing Saturday against the Mariners.

Paxton (pectoral) will see a doctor Tuesday to determine the next steps in his rehab, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Paxton hasn't thrown since his injury, so even in the best case scenario, it's remains unlikely that he will return in August. He has said, however, that his pectoral muscle is feeling good, so hopefully he will be able to begin throwing immediately and can embark on a rehab assignment within a week.

Albers will start against the Orioles on Tuesday, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Albers made 17 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett before being dealt to the Mariners last week, compiling a 2.25 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 97 strikeouts over 104 innings pitched. The 31-year-old last pitched in the majors for the Twins, and he has a 4.41 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 79.2 major-league innings.