MLB Player News

Holderman (wrist) threw a bullpen session Friday at Progressive Field, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Guardians placed Holderman on the injured list Sept. 4 due to right wrist inflammation, but his ability to get back on the mound a week later suggests that he won't require an extended stint on the shelf. Before being deactivated, Holderman had produced a 2.73 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB in 52.2 innings while collecting six wins, one save and 11 holds in 54 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen.

Verlander (hamstring/hip) threw a mound session Saturday with hitters standing in, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Although the batters Verlander faced weren't taking any swings, Saturday's session marks a tangible step forward for the future Hall of Famer. He's already confirmed that he will retire at the end of the year, and the Tigers are hoping that he'll be able to make one last start during the final weekend of the regular season.

Armstrong (calf) didn't record a strikeout while allowing one run on two hits in one inning during a rehab appearance Friday with Triple-A Columbus.

Armstrong was initially placed on the shelf July 25 due to a left calf strain before being transferred to the 60-day IL less than two weeks later. He's eligible for reinstatement Sept. 23 and should be on track to rejoin the Guardians on that date or shortly thereafter, assuming his subsequent rehab appearances go well.

Guardians assistant general manager Matt Foreman said that Velazquez hasn't played for Triple-A Columbus since last Sunday due to lingering lower-body soreness, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Widely considered the Guardians' top prospect and regarded as one of the top power bats in the minors, Velazquez is being viewed as day-to-day and is expected to make it back into the Columbus lineup before the International League season concludes Sept. 20. The 21-year-old first baseman has hit .298 with 29 home runs across 117 games between Columbus and Double-A Akron this season.

Williams is slated to make his next start Monday against the White Sox in Cleveland, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

After delivering his eighth double-digit strikeouts performance in his last 11 starts during his most recent appearance this past Sunday versus Detroit, Williams won't end up pitching this week. Instead, the Guardians will bump Williams back from his normally scheduled turn through the rotation Saturday against the Twins to have him start Monday in the series opener versus the White Sox, who currently hold a half-game lead atop the AL Central standings. Williams will tentatively line up for two starts next week, with his second turn set to come Sept. 20 versus the Athletics.

Cantillo could be a candidate to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Daniel Espino in Saturday's game against the Twins,

Saturday would have been Gavin Williams' turn in the rotation, but the Guardians elected to push their ace back two days in the schedule so that he can pitch the series opener versus the division-leading White Sox. Espino will get the starting nod in Williams' stead, though he's expected to be limited to 1-to-2 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. After most recently getting roughed up for four runs on three hits and five walks in just 2.1 innings in Monday's loss in Baltimore, Cantillo will be available on four days' rest and could pitch in relief for the first time all season. The Guardians also have Slade Cecconi on hand as another option to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Rice isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.

Rice will get a chance to rest his legs Saturday after going 3-for-4 with a home run and two additional runs scored Friday. Paul Goldschmidt will start at first place in Rice's stead, and Aaron Judge will serve as New York's DH.

Espino will serve as the Guardians' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Twins in Minnesota, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gavin Williams had been lined up to start Saturday, but the Guardians will instead push their ace back a couple days in the schedule so that he can make his next start Monday in the series opener versus the division-leading White Sox. Espino will thus be called upon to make his first MLB start Saturday, though he's pitched almost exclusively in relief both for the big club and at Triple-A Columbus this season and will likely be limited to a 1-to-2-inning appearance. Once Espino exits the game, Joey Cantillo could be called upon to pitch in bulk relief.

Torres isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies.

Torres will step out of the lineup Saturday after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the series opener. Hao-Yu Lee will start at second base with Torres on the bench, and Colt Keith will work as the designated hitter.

McKinstry isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Colorado.

McKinstry will retreat to the bench Saturday after going just 3-for-20 across his first six games of September. Brett Callahan starts in right field, batting eighth.