MLB Player News

The Pirates placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right arm discomfort, retroactive to Monday.

Ashcraft gave up three earned runs during his most recent outing Saturday against the Angels, and he appears to have come away from his start with an arm injury that's serious enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. A minimum-length stay would give him enough time to make one more start during the final week of the season, though the Pirates -- currently five games back of a wild-card spot with 16 to play -- could shut him down for the year if they're eliminated before Ashcraft is healthy. Antwone Kelly was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Valdez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Valdez will get a chance to rest his legs Thursday after going 2-for-6 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored over the first two games of the series. While he sits, Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Jake Mangum will start across the outfield.

Hader struck out one in a clean ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Phillies.

Hader dispatched the Phillies with ease Thursday, landing six of his eight pitches for strikes. It was an encouraging bounce-back performance by the southpaw, who was scored upon in his last appearance Tuesday in Philadelphia for the first time since July 20. He has a shiny 0.87 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 54:11 K:BB over 41.1 innings, going a perfect 25-for-25 in save chances.

Teel isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Teel will get a breather Thursday after going 2-for-5 with a homer and a walk over the first two games of the series. Jake Rogers will fill in at catcher and bat ninth.

Campbell was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday with a left foot contusion, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

While the injury seems relatively minor, there's a chance it will end Campbell's season given how little of the schedule is left. Campbell put up a .631 OPS with just two home runs through the end of June at Worcester this season, but he's slashed .320/.440/.524 with six long balls since July 1.

Javier took a no-decision Thursday against Philadelphia, allowing one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Javier was dominant at times Thursday, beginning the day with four no-hit innings to flummox the Phillies. Houston continues to keep a close eye on the right-hander's workload, as he's thrown 90 pitches just once in 2026, but he's surrendered a single run in 79-pitch starts to open the month of September. He'll take a 5.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 55:23 K:BB through 55.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance at home against the Royals.

Wheeler took a no-decision Thursday against Houston, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out nine.

Wheeler has now fired at least six innings while yielding just one run in three consecutive starts. The right-hander has also tapped back into his best swing-and-miss stuff, tallying nine strikeouts in consecutive starts after fanning six or fewer in six of his prior seven outings. He'll bring an outstanding 3.14 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 172:45 K:BB through 143.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Washington against the division-rival Nationals.

Moniak is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Moniak doesn't always sit against lefty hurlers, but he'll begin Thursday's tilt on the bench as the Yankees send southpaw Max Fried to the bump. Jordan Beck will play right field and bat eighth for the Rockies.

Ullola will serve as the Astros' opening pitcher during Friday's game against the Rays, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ullola has allowed three earned runs in seven frames in the big leagues, and he's now been granted the opportunity to make his first career MLB start. The 24-year-old righty spent most of his minor-league career as a starter but transitioned to relief this season and hasn't worked more than two innings in an appearance since mid-May, so his outing Friday will likely be a brief one.

Marsh was removed from Thursday's game versus the Astros due to a right foot bruise, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Marsh fouled a ball off his foot during a plate appearance in the bottom of the eighth inning and was replaced on defense before the top of the ninth. The Phillies could send the outfielder for X-rays after the contest. Marsh was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts before departing.