MLB Player News

Gausman left the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays with a right ankle contusion, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

X-rays were negative, so Blue Jays fans and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief. Gausman went down and stayed down for several minutes after taking a comebacker off his ankle in the second inning of Saturday's matinee. It's still possible he could miss a start or end up on the injured list, but it does not sound like Gausman is in line for an extended absence.

Ashby (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Saturday's start against the Pirates.

Ashby spent the minimal amount of time on the injured list and will rejoin the Brewers' rotation after throwing a bullpen Wednesday. The southpaw made three starts in June and posted an 8.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 15 innings.

Watkins allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six innings, taking a no-decision versus the Twins on Friday.

Watkins allowed an RBI single in a sloppy first inning, but he was able to settle down and submit five perfect frames after that. It was the first time he's completed six innings this year, though he wasn't in line for the win as he left with the score tied at 1-1. The right-hander has a 4.61 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 23:17 K:BB through 10 starts overall, but he's allowed only two runs (one earned) with eight hits, two walks and nine strikeouts since rejoining the rotation in place of Kyle Bradish (shoulder). Watkins has pitched well enough to maintain his place in the rotation, so it's likely to be Austin Voth who moves to the bullpen once Bradish is ready to return.

Gausman exited the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays after being hit in the ankle by a comebacker in the top of the second inning, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Gausman allowed four hits and a walk while striking out three in two scoreless innings to begin Saturday's matinee, but he was hit by a comebacker in the top of the second inning. He remained down for several minutes but was ultimately able to walk off the field under his own power. The right-hander will presumably undergo further testing before the Blue Jays determine whether he'll need to miss additional time.

The Brewers placed Houser (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right flexor strain.

With the Brewers labeling Houser's elbow injury as a strain rather than soreness, he seems likely to miss more than the minimum 15 days and could be sidelined through the All-Star break. Aaron Ashby (forearm) is on track to be activated from the IL on Saturday and should fill Houser's spot in the rotation.

Astros manager Dusty Baker hinted Saturday that Odorizzi (lower leg) could be part of a six-man rotation if the right-hander returns from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

While Odorizzi has been sidelined since mid-May with strains and sprains to the ligaments of his right foot and ankle, Cristian Javier has stepped into the Houston rotation. Javier appears to have solidified himself as a full-time member of the rotation after allowing just one hit and striking out 27 over 14 innings between his past two starts, but Odorizzi doesn't look as though he'll be on the outs for a starting role. The 32-year-old fared well in his second rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Corpus Christi, striking out six over five scoreless frames while allowing three hits and no walks. He tossed 78 pitches in that outing, so he should be stretched out enough to make his return to the Houston rotation at some point during the four-game home series with Kansas City that begins Monday.

Woodford was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Woodford spent nearly a week in the Cardinals' bullpen and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings over two appearances during his stint with the major-league club. However, he'll head back to the minors after Jordan Hicks (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Liberatore was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Liberatore has been shuffled between the minor-league and major-league clubs early in the season. However, manager Oliver Marmol recently indicated that the 22-year-old could remain in the Cardinals' rotation after starting Saturday's game against the Phillies since Jack Flaherty (shoulder) and Steven Matz (shoulder) are sidelined. Over his first four starts for St. Louis, the southpaw has posted a 4.00 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 18 innings.

Singer, who initially scheduled to start Saturday's game in Detroit, will instead take the hill for Sunday's series finale, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Kris Bubic will pick up his second start of the week Saturday before Singer returns to the mound Sunday on six days' rest. The Royals likely just wanted to extend Singer some extra recovery time after he tossed a season-high 8.1 innings and 99 pitches in his most recent outing June 26 against the Athletics.

Rasmussen (hamstring) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Toronto.

Although Rasmussen is technically serving as the 27th man for Saturday's twin bill, he should remain in the Rays' rotation now that he's recovered from his left hamstring strain. The right-hander didn't require a rehab assignment prior to being activated, so it's possible that he's on a slight pitch count after missing two and a half weeks.