MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) will return from the 15-day injured list Sunday and will start in the Astros' series finale against the White Sox in Chicago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers will be taking the hill for the Astros for the first time since the 2022 World Series, after a prolonged recovery from June 2023 flexor tendon surgery kept him out of action for the entirety of the past two seasons. The right-hander was cleared to resume facing hitters in late February and steadily ramped up to close out spring training before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment March 30. Across four starts between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, McCullers logged a 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 12.2 frames, including a five-inning scoreless appearance in his final outing Saturday. He built up to 71 pitches in that start, so McCullers could be operating with a slight workload restriction in his 2025 Astros debut. Houston may also be keen on building extra rest for McCullers between starts, so it wouldn't be surprising if the team expanded its rotation to six men for the next few weeks.

Kirby (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Sunday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby threw a live batting practice session Monday and described it as "nasty," adding that he "felt great." He will throw again Sunday, and it will be determined soon whether that will be in an official game setting. Kirby has been slow-played as he works his way back from right shoulder inflammation but has been checking every box along the way.

Miller revealed after Tuesday's start versus the Angels that his back "locked up" on him pregame, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Miller did not sit down in between innings to avoid making the back issue worse. He successfully navigated through five scoreless frames in the outing, although he issued a season-high five walks. Miller also noted that he dealt with some arm soreness earlier this month, saying that it's been "one thing after another that hasn't been major, but just been nagging." The right-hander is scheduled to face the Athletics on Monday and it does not appear at this point that he's in any danger of missing that start.

Batista was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow Sunday and is expected to be sidelined 2-to-3 months, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf at High-A Winston-Salem in early April and will be sidelined for at least the next couple months. Batista had a 3.40 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 87:33 K:BB across 84.2 innings at the Single-A level last year and made just one start this season before suffering the injury.

The Astros selected Blubaugh's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Tigers in Houston.

Blubaugh will be making his MLB debut Wednesday, but with Lance McCullers (forearm) seemingly on track to return from the 15-day injured list next week, the 24-year-old is likely headed back to Sugar Land regardless of how he performs versus Detroit. The young right-hander has struck out 28 batters and has allowed just one home run over 21 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season, but walks have been an issue (10.8 BB%).

The Royals recalled Cameron from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cameron is set to make his major-league debut Wednesday with a start against the Rays, filling in for the injured Cole Ragans (groin). The left-handed Cameron has posted a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB in 22.1 innings through his five starts with Omaha this season. Kansas City expects Ragans to be ready for his next turn, so as things stand right now it's likely to be just a spot start for Cameron before he returns to Omaha.

Cecconi (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi got a late start to the season due to a left oblique strain suffered back in mid-March, but he is finally ready to pitch in games. The right-hander could eventually push for a spot in the Cleveland rotation, but he'll need time in the minors to get ramped back up.

Soto was placed on the 7-day injured list at High-A Cedar Rapids due to soreness in his right triceps, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Soto was off to a promising start at Cedar Rapids with a 1.38 ERA and 15:5 K:BB in 13 innings. The Twins will be hoping it's not a significant setback for the 2024 first-round pick out of high school.

Miller (2-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Angels, giving up two hits and five walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The 26-year-old right-hander continues to fight his control, even though he was able to avoid any damage from his walks Tuesday. The five free passes were a season high for Miller, and after posting a 6.4 percent walk rate in 2024, he's seen that mark balloon to 14.7 percent through six starts and 30.2 innings this year. His 3.52 ERA is still decent on the surface, but his 1.43 WHIP and 4.44 xFIP are red flags that his luck could run out soon. Miller will try to tighten things up in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the A's.

Kochanowicz (1-4) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks over six inning as the Angels were downed 5-3 by the Mariners. He struck out six.

The 24-year-old right-hander set a new season high in Ks while delivering his second straight quality start and third in six trips to the mound. Kochanowicz also got taken deep again, however -- a three-run shot by Jorge Polanco in the second inning -- and he's served up six homers in 32.1 innings to fuel his rough 5.29 ERA. Kochanowicz will look for a better result in his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Tigers.