MLB Player News

The Astros outrighted France to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

After the Astros designated him for assignment for the second time in just over two months this past weekend, France will once again end up sticking around in the Houston organization upon going unclaimed off waivers. He'll likely slot back into the rotation at Sugar Land, which lost three of its starters (Spencer Arrighetti, Colton Gordon and Peter Lambert) last week when the big club was in need of further reinforcement.

The Astros transferred Javier (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Javier's initial placement on the 15-day IL was retroactive to April 9, so his move to the 60-day IL ensures that he'll be on the shelf through at least the first week of June while he recovers from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain. Given the length of his absence along with his poor numbers prior to landing on the shelf (12.54 ERA, 2.36 WHIP and 4:9 K:BB in 9.1 innings over three starts), Javier likely won't be worth holding in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Gray will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gray exited in the third inning of his start in Monday's 8-6 win over the Tigers due to hamstring tightness. The team believes the issue to be minor, but more will be known about Gray's status after the imaging results are in. Gray is tentatively slated to start Saturday in Baltimore, but that assignment is up in the air. If Gray need some down time, Payton Tolle is a likely replacement in the Boston rotation. As Healey notes, Gray was previously shelved with right hamstring strains during the 2022 and 2024 seasons, missing about 2-to-3 weeks on the two occasions.

Weiss is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Guardians in Cleveland, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros appear set to condense their rotation from six to five men this week, and Weiss, Spencer Arrighetti and Peter Lambert will all maintain starting roles for the time being after Colton Gordon was shifted to the bullpen Saturday. After making his first five appearances of the season in relief, Weiss was unable to make it out of the fourth in his first MLB start last Thursday against the Rockies, covering 3.2 innings and striking out three while allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks. The 29-year-old righty has walked 13.9 percent of the batters he's faced on the season and will likely need to show improvement in that area to guarantee himself a longer-term stay in the rotation, even as the Astros contend with numerous injuries to starting pitchers.

Flaherty didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs (zero earned) on three hits and six walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

With Monday's game having an early first-pitch time of 11:10 a.m. ET, Flaherty appeared to be a step slow on the mound. It was the third time in his career that the right-hander issued at least six walks, and the Tigers decided they'd seen enough after he threw a season-low 73 pitches (41 strikes). Flaherty has a strong 3.47 ERA through 23.1 innings, but his 1.59 WHIP and 24:20 K:BB are major causes for concern ahead of a difficult task at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park against the Reds in his next start.

Forcucci (elbow/back) has started twice for Single-A Fayetteville since being cleared to make his professional debut April 10, covering 1.2 innings while striking out three and allowing two earned runs on one hit and five walks.

A third-round selection in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Forcucci didn't pitch at all that season or in 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery shortly before being selected by the Astros. The 23-year-old righty had also been managing a back injury in spring training, but he finally received the green light to pitch in games shortly after the Carolina League season got underway. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Forcucci has struggled mightily with his control coming off major elbow surgery. In addition to walking five of the 12 batters he's faced, Forcucci has also hit a batter and uncorked three wild pitches.

Hoffmann gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three in 2.1 innings Sunday against the Blue Jays.

The one run allowed came on a Kazuma Okamoto home run. Hoffmann was shifted between the majors and minors late last year to little success, posting a 6.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 11 appearances (12.1 innings), but he's turned it around to the tune of a 1-0 record with a 1.74 ERA in six games so far in 2026. The 26-year-old broke camp after an excellent spring where he earned a 2.25 ERA and 10 strikeouts across eight innings while improving his slider. The right-hander is looking to get more high-leverage opportunities with A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (UCL) starting on the injured list.

Canning (Achilles) is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Through his first three starts with El Paso, Canning has compiled a 4.32 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB across 8.1 innings. After his 2025 season came to an early end in June due to a torn left Achilles tendon that required surgery, Canning hasn't reported any setbacks since starting his rehab assignment and could be on track to return from the injured list as soon as next week. He built up to 67 pitches in his most recent start, so if he can get further stretched out in Wednesday's outing while showing improved control, the Padres may feel comfortable activating him. Matt Waldron would likely be most at risk of losing his spot in the rotation once Canning is deemed ready to join San Diego.

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Giants, allowing four hits and a walk over four scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander worked as a bulk reliever, taking the mound after PJ Poulin recorded the first two outs for the Nationals, and Mikolas just missed collecting his first win of the season -- Washington scored all three of its runs right after he was lifted after 61 pitches (40 strikes) for Andrew Alvarez, who completed a combined shutout. Mikolas still has an ugly 9.15 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB through 19.2 innings over five appearances (three starts) this season, but Sunday's effort was at least encouraging. Mikolas lines up for another favorable matchup, either as a starter or a primary pitcher, next weekend on the road against the White Sox.

Myers gave up one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings during Sunday's loss to the Cubs. He struck out two.

Making his first start of the season as an opener in front of David Peterson, Myers tossed 16 of 28 pitches for strikes in an effective performance. The right-hander has given the Mets quality innings in 2026 after being acquired from the Brewers as a secondary piece of the Freddy Peralta trade, posting a 3.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 15 frames. Myers' fantasy value is very limited in his current role, however.