MLB Player News

Povich (2-8) took the loss Monday against Boston, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Three of the five hits Povich allowed went for extra bases, including a two-run home run to Rob Refsnyder and a solo homer to Tyler O'Neill. Povich has surrendered four or more runs in three of his last four starts, though he blanked the White Sox in 7.1 innings during the other outing. Overall, the left-hander has a 5.91 ERA across 64 innings this season. He's tentatively scheduled to close out a two-start week Sunday against the Tigers.

Rodriguez (lat) could face hitters at some point this week during the Orioles' road trip, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez began throwing off a mound last week and should be able to take the next step in his recovery soon. The right-hander has been sidelined since early August with a right lat strain and will surely need a rehab start or two before rejoining the Orioles' rotation, so he's probably looking at a late-September return even if all goes well.

The Guardians recalled Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Cantillo will make a start Monday against the White Sox. Ben Lively had been in line to take the hill Monday, but Lively has struggled lately and will have his turn pushed back or perhaps skipped altogether. The left-handed Cantillo has produced an unsightly 7.71 ERA and 15:9 K:BB over 18.2 innings in four starts and one relief appearance with the Guardians this season.

Interim manager Grady Sizemore said Saturday that Nastrini will be available in relief Monday in what's expected to be a bullpen day in the White Sox's series opener versus the Guardians, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Sizemore hasn't officially pulled the plug on Nastrini as the fifth member of the rotation, but the rookie right-hander will look to turn in better results in relief after posting a 7.79 ERA and 24:32 K:BB in 32.1 innings through his first eight big-league starts. Jared Shuster is slated to open the contest and has worked at least four innings over four of his 37 appearances this season between the majors and Triple-A, so Nastrini could end up piggybacking Shuster rather than serving as a true bulk reliever Monday.

Verlander (3-5) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing eight runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings.

Seven of the runs Verlander let up came off the bat of Pavin Smith, who took Verlander deep in the second for three runs and then again in the third for a grand slam. The Astros have now lost five straight starts by Justin Verlander. Over his last three starts, he's allowed 17 runs over 12.2 innings while managing a 6:6 K:BB. He isn't missing many bats as of late, and that was the case again Sunday. He registered just two whiffs on his fastball and none with any of his secondary pitches. The 41-year-old now owns a 5.30 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB in 74.2 innings and will look to try and bounce back against the Angels over the weekend.

Bibee (11-7) took the loss Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings.

Bibee pitched well enough to keep the Guardians in the game but received no help from his offense, as the Guardians were shut out by Jack Flaherty and the Dodgers' bullpen. Bibee blanked them through three frames, but the Dodgers were able to push a run across in the fourth after Mookie Betts led off with a triple and then Shohei Ohtani added on in the fifth with a solo home run. Bibee's now issued eight walks over his last three starts and has reached six innings just once over his last six outings. For the year, he owns a 3.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 166:41 K:BB in 154 innings. He lines up to face the Rays at home over the weekend his next time out.

Woods Richardson (5-4) yielded two runs on three hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against Kansas City.

Woods Richardson worked through four scoreless frames before the Royals plated a pair of runs in the fifth inning. He took his first loss since Aug. 10 and has now thrown five or fewer innings in five straight starts. Woods Richardson has produced a 4.76 ERA during that five-game span. He owns a 3.96 ERA with a 106:43 K:BB through 125 innings this season. Woods Richardson is projected to face the Reds at home next weekend.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to Atlanta, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

The only blemish on Rodriguez's line was a solo home run by Jarred Kelenic in the second inning. Outside of that mishap, Rodriguez was superb, cruising through five innings on just 73 pitches while racking up six strikeouts. The 27-year-old rookie has had an up-and-down season, logging a 4.42 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75:34 K:BB in 73.1 innings. Rodriguez will look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend against the Cardinals.

Wacha (12-7) allowed four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over Minnesota.

Wacha escaped some danger in the first inning but didn't allow a runner to reach scoring position for the rest of his outing. He got right back in the win column after taking his first loss in over two months in his last start. Wacha forced 16 whiffs, the second-highest total he's produced this season. Of those 16, 12 came via the changeup. Wacha dropped his season ERA to 3.34 with a 130:40 K:BB through 151 innings. His next outing is projected to be in Pittsburgh.

Flexen did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Red Sox, allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in six innings.

The only runs allowed by Flexen came on a pair of solo home runs -- a second-inning blast by Connor Wong and a Wilyer Abreu long ball in the sixth. Flexen has now recorded a quality start in three of his last four appearances, logging a respectable 4.15 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB in 21.2 innings during that stretch. Even with the recent uptick in performance, the 30-year-old is well off the fantasy radar. He's tentatively scheduled to take on the Athletics next weekend.