MLB Player News

Cowser is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Houston.

It marks two straight games that he's been absent from the lineup, and both of them have come against right-handed pitching. After putting up a 1.004 OPS in April, Cowser has just a .603 OPS since May 1. Ryan O'Hearn is in left field and Cedric Mullins is in center Friday.

Faedo (hip) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Faedo threw a scoreless inning Wednesday in his first rehab outing and is in line to pitch again Saturday in what could be his final appearance with Toledo. Faedo owns a 3.38 ERA, six holds and a 3-1 record across 34.2 innings with the Tigers.

Velazquez is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Rangers.

The hot-hitting Freddy Fermin will make a second straight start at designated hitter. Velazquez has just a .401 OPS so far in June and has now been absent from the starting lineup for seven of 18 games this month.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Contreras' demotion is part of a flurry of roster moves made by the Astros on Friday, as the team needed his 26-man roster spot for Jake Bloss. Contreras didn't appear in a game with Houston after being called up June 16.

The Astros designated Henley for assignment Friday.

A spot on the 40-man roster was required for the addition of Friday's starting pitcher, Jake Bloss. Henley was hammered in a spot start earlier this season, allowing five runs while recording just one out. He'll likely clear waivers.

Caratini (left hip flexor strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Thursday.

Caratini was lifted from Wednesday's game against the White Sox with soreness in his left quad, but imaging revealed he's in fact dealing with a left hip flexor strain. Cesar Salazar should see some catching work behind Yainer Diaz while Caratini is sidelined.

The Astros recalled Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Loperfido has hit .333/.381/.436 with one homer and one steal in 15 games with the Astros, although that's come with a 39.5 percent strikeout rate. All of Loperfido's action in the minors lately has come in the outfield, so that figures to be his best path to playing time right now with the big club. He has also been used some at first base.

Carpenter (back) hopes to resume baseball activities Monday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Carpenter had been shut down since late May due to a lumbar spine stress fracture but is ready to begin baseball activities in the coming days. While he's still a ways out from returning, it's the first advancement he's made since being placed on the IL. Expect Carpenter to require a multi-game minor-league rehab stint before being cleared. In the meantime, Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez should share the outfield with Riley Greene most nights.

The Astros selected Bloss's contract from Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday.

He will make his major-league debut Friday versus the Orioles. Bloss has put up a 1.74 ERA and 60:21 K:BB in 62 innings covering 12 starts between High-A Asheville and Corpus Christi this season. The right-hander will have a shot to stick around for a bit if he pitches well.

Verdugo is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Verdugo will dodge a matchup with southpaw Chris Sale on Friday. Instead, Jahmai Jones will bat fifth and fill left field.