MLB Player News

Imai is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Bryan King during Wednesday's game in San Francisco, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros haven't provided official word that Imai will pitch Wednesday, but he hasn't been used since Aug. 3 and didn't join the team's other relievers in the bullpen for Tuesday's 4-1 loss, which seemingly signaled that he was being saved for the series finale. Since being dropped from the rotation in late July, Imai has made two relief appearances and was sharp in his most recent outing, striking out five over three perfect innings. King will likely cover the first inning or two before giving way to Imai, who should be capable of providing a decent amount of length since he had only recently been removed from a starting role.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said that Houser will start Wednesday's game against the Astros in San Francisco, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Houser will essentially be making a second straight turn through the rotation, after he worked behind an opener and picked up a win while throwing five innings of one-run ball in bulk relief Friday against the Tigers. Trevor McDonald's season-ending elbow injury as well as the recent trades of Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle should keep a rotation spot available for Houser over the balance of the season if he's able to perform well enough to maintain it. Over 23 appearances (14 starts) with the Giants, Houser owns a 4.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB across 97 innings.

Irvin (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings as the Nationals were downed 8-6 by the Cubs. He struck out four.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, Chicago tagged Irvin for runs in each of the next three frames before the right-hander got the hook after 88 pitches (56 strikes). Irvin has made three starts since coming off the IL in late July, and he's surrendered five runs in two of them while serving up four homers in 13.2 innings, including a solo shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday. Irvin will try to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Mets.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The ball was flying at Nationals Park as the two teams combined for six long balls, and Imanaga served up half of them, though he was able to limit the damage. The veteran southpaw left the mound after 86 pitches (55 strikes) as he got tagged for more than two runs for the first time since June 24. Over seven starts and 40.2 innings between those shaky performances, Imanaga put together a 1.77 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

Perez (6-9) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Matched up against Paul Skenes, Perez rose to the occasion and fired 62 of 100 pitches for strikes while preventing Pittsburgh from even getting a runner into scoring position. The win was Perez's first since July 5, but he hasn't been pitching poorly -- during that five-start stretch, the 23-year-old delivered a 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 30 innings despite winding up with an 0-3 record. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Cincinnati.

Skenes (9-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Marlins. He struck out four.

Pittsburgh's hitters couldn't solve Eury Perez and the Miami bullpen, giving Skenes no margin for error in a solid outing. While Skenes made an early exit after 65 pitches (45 strikes), manager Don Kelly told Jason Mackey of MLB.com after the game that there was no injury concern with the right-hander. Instead, the game situation presented Kelly with an opportunity to give the 24-year-old right-hander a bit of extra rest. Skenes has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs in 14.1 innings over his prior three starts, and his fastball velocity was down over one tick Tuesday, averaging 95.7 mph. Skenes will look to rally in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox.

Bibee (4-12) took the loss Tuesday as the Guardians fell 6-4 to the Tigers, coughing up six runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander managed to keep the ball in the yard after serving up three homers in his last start, but that was about the only positive takeaway for Bibee, who tossed 62 of 96 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. Since the beginning of July, he's carrying a 4.71 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 42 innings over seven outings, and he's struck out more than five batters just once. Bibee will look to get back on track in his next start, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Padres.

Kelly (leg) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rockies in Arizona.

Kelly was lifted midway through the sixth inning of his latest start Friday against the Dodgers due to right leg cramping, but the veteran right-hander looks ready to return to the hill on four days' rest after receiving treatment for the issue. Though Kelly's ERA (4.88) and WHIP (1.47) currently sit at career-worst levels, he's at least consistently provided the Diamondbacks with length in his starts, working at least five innings in 17 consecutive outings.

Matthews (foot) is listed as the Twins' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday to replace the injured Joe Ryan (glute) in the rotation, Matthews picked up a win over the Brewers while striking out four and giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks before exiting after five innings due to a right foot blister. The right-hander was apparently able to complete a between-starts bullpen session without incident and won't end up having to miss a turn through the rotation.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday that Montgomery is considered as a possible replacement for Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) in the rotation, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery returned from the 60-day injured list last week and tossed four innings and 79 pitches in relief Sunday against the Orioles in his Rangers debut. At the time Montgomery was activated, manager Skip Schumaker said the left-hander would be used out of the bullpen, but circumstances have changed with Eovaldi landing on the shelf Monday. Cal Quantrill is another option to replace Eovaldi.