MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Blanco will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco has struggled to the tune of a 6.98 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB over 19.1 innings while starting in his first four appearances since coming off the 60-day injured list July 20. The Astros will have reliever Bryan King open Wednesday's game and presumably cover an inning or two, but it's unclear if Espada intends to use Blanco or Tatsuya Imai in bulk relief, or if both pitchers will be called upon to eat innings. If Blanco ends up going unused Wednesday, he could step back into the rotation at some point during this weekend's series versus the Mariners.

Imai is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Bryan King during Wednesday's game in San Francisco, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros haven't provided official word that Imai will pitch Wednesday, but he hasn't been used since Aug. 3 and didn't join the team's other relievers in the bullpen for Tuesday's 4-1 loss, which seemingly signaled that he was being saved for the series finale. Since being dropped from the rotation in late July, Imai has made two relief appearances and was sharp in his most recent outing, striking out five over three perfect innings. King will likely cover the first inning or two before giving way to Imai, who should be capable of providing a decent amount of length since he had only recently been removed from a starting role.

Bibee (4-12) took the loss Tuesday as the Guardians fell 6-4 to the Tigers, coughing up six runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander managed to keep the ball in the yard after serving up three homers in his last start, but that was about the only positive takeaway for Bibee, who tossed 62 of 96 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. Since the beginning of July, he's carrying a 4.71 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 42 innings over seven outings, and he's struck out more than five batters just once. Bibee will look to get back on track in his next start, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Padres.

Matthews (foot) is listed as the Twins' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday to replace the injured Joe Ryan (glute) in the rotation, Matthews picked up a win over the Brewers while striking out four and giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks before exiting after five innings due to a right foot blister. The right-hander was apparently able to complete a between-starts bullpen session without incident and won't end up having to miss a turn through the rotation.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday that Montgomery is considered as a possible replacement for Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) in the rotation, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery returned from the 60-day injured list last week and tossed four innings and 79 pitches in relief Sunday against the Orioles in his Rangers debut. At the time Montgomery was activated, manager Skip Schumaker said the left-hander would be used out of the bullpen, but circumstances have changed with Eovaldi landing on the shelf Monday. Cal Quantrill is another option to replace Eovaldi.

McClanahan (back) threw three perfect innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. He struck out two.

After tossing two innings in a simulated game Thursday, McClanahan was flawless Tuesday in the next step of his recovery. The left-hander threw 30 pitches in the outing and averaged 95.7 mph with his fastball, which is right on par with his season average. McClanahan is working his way back from left mid-back tightness, and it's possible his next appearance will come in the major leagues.

Wacha allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 6.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Wacha put together a quality start for the fourth time in five starts since the All-Star break. In that span, he's allowed 10 runs (eight earned) over 31.1 innings. Wacha remains effective at eating innings -- he's covered six or more frames in 18 of his 24 starts this season while pitching to a 3.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 117:41 K:BB through 150.2 innings overall. The veteran's next start is projected to come at home versus the Athletics.

Brown (3-2) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Tuesday.

Brown threw 56 of 89 pitches for strikes in a decent outing, but the Astros didn't give him much help. The right-hander has surrendered 12 runs over 28.1 innings while adding a 28:13 K:BB over five starts since the All-Star break, providing solid but unremarkable pitching in most of his outings in that stretch. For the year, he's at a 3.68 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 67:35 K:BB through 63.2 innings over 12 starts. Brown's next start is projected to be in a favorable home matchup versus the Angels.

Martinez (12-3) earned the win Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five over nine innings.

Martinez needed just 101 pitches, throwing 68 for strikes, to go the distance for the first time in his career. Lawrence Butler took him deep for a two-run homer in the fourth inning, but Martinez limited the Athletics until the ninth when Tampa Bay already held a commanding lead. The right-hander has now completed at least five innings in 11 consecutive starts, collecting seven wins during that stretch. Across 23 starts this season, Martinez owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 78:20 K:BB over 138 innings. He's scheduled to face the Orioles at home Monday.

Johnson did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings.

Johnson served up a solo homer to Joc Pederson, the first batter of the game, to make it eight consecutive outings with a home run allowed. After the first inning, the right-hander held Texas hitless over the next three frames before Austin Wynns led off the fifth with a single, and Johnson was pulled one batter later. He's now limited opponents to one run in each of his two starts since being recalled Aug. 1, which could help him avoid another option to Triple-A Salt Lake when Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) returns from the injured list. Across 11 starts and three relief appearances this season, Johnson owns a 6.71 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB over 55 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make another start Sunday against the Royals.