MLB Player News

Houck was scratched from his scheduled start Friday versus the Yankees due to right shoulder fatigue, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Houck was scheduled to pitch Friday on eight days of rest in order to combat what manager Alex Cora labeled a "dead arm" phase, but the 28-year-old righty looks like he will need even more time off between starts. Richard Fitts will make a spot start in Houck's stead Friday.

Fitts will start Friday's game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Tanner Houck (shoulder) was originally slated to start Friday, his first outing since he faced the Mets on Sept. 4, but it appears the right-hander is not yet ready to return to the mound. Fitts impressed in his major-league debut Sunday, albeit against the lowly White Sox, giving up two unearned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two across 5.2 innings while not factoring into the decision.

Westburg (hand) has begun hitting in the cage and is participating in full baseball activities, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's another positive step in Westburg's recovery from a fractured hand he suffered in late July. The next step would be a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk. Before landing on the IL, Westburg was slashing .269/.317/.497 with 18 home runs and 58 RBI across 420 plate appearances.

Kavadas isn't in the Angels' lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kavadas will retreat to the dugout Friday as the lefty-throwing Yusei Kikuchi starts on the bump for Houston. Kavadas' absence will allow Charles Leblanc to serve as Los Angeles' designated hitter while batting fourth.

Kwan was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Rays due to body fatigue, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Kwan's removal from Friday's lineup appears to be a precautionary measure, and the 27-year-old outfielder could return Saturday. Daniel Schneemann took Kwan's spot in left field and in the leadoff spot for Friday's contest. Since Aug. 1, Kwan is slashing .197/.322/.265 with six stolen bases, two home runs and 13 RBI over 161 plate appearances.

Drury (hamstring) isn't in the Angels' lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Hamstring tightness forced Drury to make an early exit from Wednesday's contest, and it seems he'll need another day to recover following Thursday's off day. In his place, Michael Stefanic will start at the keystone and bat ninth.

O'Hoppe isn't in the Angels' lineup Friday versus the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

O'Hoppe will sit down for the second consecutive game after going 4-for-22 with two home runs and four RBI to begin the month of September. Matt Thaiss will pick up another start behind the dish instead and bat fifth.

Hendriks said Friday that he will receive a cortisone injection in his right elbow Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Hendriks added that an MRI revealed fluid sacs near his right elbow, which could be taken care of with a cortisone shot, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Hendriks is hoping to join the Boston bullpen for the last week or two of the regular season, but that will largely depend on the Red Sox staying in the AL wild-card race. He's in the final stretch of his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in August of 2023.

The Mariners designated Zavala for assignment Friday.

Just three days after rejoining the active roster Tuesday, Zavala will once again lose his spot on the Mariners' active and 40-man rosters. The 31-year-old backstop never appeared in a game during his latest stint in the majors, and he'll most likely pass through waivers unclaimed after posting a .660 OPS through 120 Triple-A plate appearances.

The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Since being optioned to Triple-A in early July, Hancock has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.40 WHIP alongside a 30:21 K:BB across 50 innings. He'll now rejoin the Mariners' rotation to replace Luis Castillo (hamstring), who landed on the injured list Tuesday. Hancock's first MLB start in over two months will come against a Rangers offense that has produced a .723 OPS since the start of September.