MLB Player News

Gusto will start Friday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Lance McCullers (blister) going to the 15-day injured list Tuesday, the Astros will turn to Gusto to fill the opening in their six-man rotation. Gusto had appeared out of the bullpen in each of his last three appearances, but he's made 12 starts this season and covered six innings back on July 6. He'll be taking the hill Friday on four days' rest and isn't expected to face any major workload restrictions.

Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Torkelson was having a forgettable game until the bottom of the ninth inning, when he launched his 22nd home run of the season. It's his first long ball in seven games following the All-Star break, but the 25-year-old has been known to go on power surges throughout his career and could be primed for a hot stretch soon. Torkelson's career high of 31 home runs, which he recorded two years ago, could be within reach if he heats up down the stretch.

Jones went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

As has been the case all season, Jones did some damage when facing a lefty, this time taking Toronto starter Eric Lauer deep in the first inning. Jones rarely plays against righties, but he's become a force against southpaws with a .921 OPS and four home runs in 51 at-bats. The 27-year-old has bounced between the minors and majors during his career, though his platoon success this year should allow him to stick around in Detroit as a reserve outfielder.

The Diamondbacks traded Naylor to the Mariners on Thursday in exchange for Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Diamondbacks are expected to unload a number of assets before the trade deadline, and they'll officially kick things off by sending Naylor up to Seattle. Eugenio Suarez has been the primary target for many teams looking to add a bat for a postseason run, but Naylor has fared well in his own right, slashing .292/.360/.447 with 11 homers, 59 RBI, 49 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 93 games in Arizona. Now with the Mariners, the 28-year-old slugger will presumably start every day at first base, taking playing time away from Luke Raley and Donovan Solano.

Javier (elbow) will make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier made his first two rehab appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Double-A Corpus Christi. After tossing 1.1 innings in the FCL on July 12, Javier built up to three innings in his most recent outing for Corpus Christi last Friday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. He'll likely push up his pitch count Thursday and will presumably need at least one or two minor-league starts after that before he makes his return from the 60-day injured list.

Melton (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After spending more than a month on the injured list due to a sprained right ankle, Melton has finally been given the green light to return to a competitive environment. It remains unknown how long the Astros plan to keep the 24-year-old in the minors, but he may still have enough time to return to the active roster before the end of July.

Manoah (elbow) will pitch a simulated game Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Single-A Dunedin is on the road Saturday, so the Blue Jays are opting for a simulated game in which they can control Manoah's pitch count instead. The right-hander should be ready to return to full capacity by the end of August or early September.

Soler (back) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

A back injury forced Soler out of Wednesday's game in the third inning. The 33-year-old has already spent time on the IL this year due to back problems, so the Angels will err on the side of caution and hold him out of Thursday's contest while LaMonte Wade starts in right field.

O'Hoppe isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Despite going 8-for-17 since the All-Star break, O'Hoppe will miss a second consecutive start Thursday while Travis d'Arnaud catches for starter Yusei Kikuchi and bats seventh.

The Angels transferred Stephenson (biceps) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Stephenson initially landed on the injured list June 2 with biceps inflammation, so his move to the 60-day IL has virtually no impact on his return timeline. The 32-year-old reliever began a throwing program Monday but has yet to begin mound work, and he'll likely require a few rehab appearances in the minors before rejoining Los Angeles' bullpen. Jose Quijada was selected to the MLB roster Thursday to claim the open 40-man roster spot.