MLB Player News

Messick is slated to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Rays at Progressive Field.

Messick will unsurprisingly receive a second straight turn through the Cleveland rotation after he excelled in a no-decision in his MLB debut this past Wednesday, when he limited the Diamondbacks to one run on seven hits and one walk over 6.2 innings while striking out six batters. The 25-year-old lefty may eventually cede his spot in the rotation to the rehabbing John Means (elbow), but Messick could make it tough for the Guardians to justify moving him to the bullpen or back to Triple-A Columbus if he comes through with another strong start Tuesday.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Horton (finger) will start Saturday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, MLB.com reports.

During his most recent start in Monday's loss to the Brewers, Horton was lifted in the third inning due to a minor blister on his pitching hand. Counsell acknowledged that the rookie had dealt with a blister in the same spot in the past, but the righty apparently checked out fine during his between-starts bullpen session and will take the hill Saturday for his 18th outing of the season. Horton has been the Cubs' top-performing starter since the All-Star break, going 4-1 with an 0.58 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 31 innings.

Freeland (finger) is slated to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Freeland developed a blister on his pitching hand during his most recent outing in Monday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers, but it apparently didn't prevent him from completing his between-starts bullpen session. He'll return to the mound on his standard four days' rest and shouldn't face any restrictions as he takes the hill for his 24th start of the season.

Fedde worked in long relief during Friday's 12-7 loss to the Mets, covering 4.1 innings and striking out one batter while allowing six earned runs on 11 hits and two walks.

After being acquired from the Cardinals on July 27, Fedde stepped into the Atlanta rotation but fared poorly over his four starts with the club, netting a 7.11 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 12:11 K:BB in 19 innings. With Atlanta claiming Cal Quantrill off waivers from Miami on Thursday and inserting him into the rotation Saturday, Fedde was moved to the bullpen for the weekend series and was put to work Friday after starter Joey Wentz was chased from the game midway through the fourth inning. Though he spared the rest of the bullpen from overuse, Fedde was knocked around during his 93-pitch appearance and is unlikely to see opportunities in high-leverage spots anytime soon.

Quantrill is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Truist Park, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Erick Fedde had been in line to start this weekend, but he ended up getting moved to the bullpen to open up a rotation spot for Quantrill, whom Atlanta claimed off waivers from Miami on Thursday. Before getting cut by the Marlins, Quantrill had endured a disappointing 2025 campaign, posting a 5.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 82:30 K:BB in 109.2 innings. An impending free agent this winter, Quantrill will look to pitch well over the final five weeks of the season with the hope of earning a rotation spot with Atlanta or another club heading into 2026.

Minnesota recalled Abel from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

Abel will be making his Twins debut Saturday with a start against the White Sox in Chicago. After being acquired from the Phillies on July 30, Abel was optioned to Triple-A and thrived in his three starts for St. Paul, delivering a 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 15.1 innings. In six starts with the Phillies prior to being dealt, Abel posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 25 frames.

Povich (2-7) took the loss Friday, surrendering six runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Orioles fell 10-7 to the Astros. He struck out five.

Baltimore's defense did the southpaw no favors, but Povich put his team in an early hole by giving up four runs in the third inning, and the O's were playing catch-up the rest of the night. It's the first time in four August starts that Povich has failed to last at least five innings, and while he carries a shaky 5.06 ERA on the month, it comes with a more respectable 1.22 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB through 21.1 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Red Sox.

McCullers came away with a no-decision in Friday's 10-7 win over the Orioles, giving up three runs on five hits and five walks in four innings. He struck out four.

Out since July 19 due to blister issues, McCullers had trouble finding the plate in his return, tossing 50 of 97 pitches for strikes and falling short of qualifying for the win in a game in which the Astros never trailed. The five free passes were a season high for the right-hander, but he's issued multiple walks in six straight big-league starts dating back to June 10, compiling a disastrous 9.38 ERA, 2.21 WHIP and 21:22 K:BB in 24 innings over that stretch. With Luis Garcia (elbow) closing in on his return, McCullers may find himself bumped from the rotation as soon as next week.

Toronto has extended Manoah's (elbow) minor-league rehab assignment by an extra 10 days, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah's initial 30-day rehab stint came to a close, but the right-handed hurler isn't yet ready to be activated. The Blue Jays have thus elected to use one of a potential three 10-day extensions available for pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery per the collective bargaining agreement. Manoah has struggled during his rehab assignment to this point, posting a 7.71 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 10:10 K:BB over 11.2 innings spanning five starts, though his most recent performance was his best -- he allowed one run over 4.2 frames with four strikeouts Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo. Nicholson-Smith indicates that Manoah will throw a side session this weekend and is slated for another start with Buffalo early next week.

Falter (7-7) took the loss Friday against Detroit, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two over two innings.

Falter was roughed up in relief Friday, giving up three runs without recording an out in the seventh inning and ultimately yielding four runs across two frames. Since joining Kansas City, the left-hander has labored, allowing nine earned runs over eight innings in two starts before being shifted to the bullpen. That move hasn't stabilized things either, as he's surrendered six earned runs in four innings of relief.