MLB Player News

Whitcomb homered in a spot start for Jeremy Peña on Wednesday, but heads back to Triple-A. It appears the Astros are set to activate someone else tomorrow.

It was another dominant outing for Burns, who was in need of a bounce-back after allowing five earned runs in his last outing against the Nationals. Burns needed to be on top of his game to match Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who allowed just one earned run in seven innings of work. Burns limited the Marlins to just three hits on the night, all of which were singles, and never allowed a runner to get into scoring position. Burns has allowed one earned run or less in four of his last five starts. He’s next scheduled to take the mound Tuesday at home against the Cardinals.

The fact that Rushing has progressed enough to be facing live pitching likely means that a rehab assignment is on the horizon for some point next week. The Dodgers have been patchworking their catching situation while Rushing and Will Smith have been sidelined.

It looks to be just a routine evening off for the 26-year-old slugger. Brett Sullivan will do the catching for the Rockies and will bat ninth against Giants’ right-hander Landen Roupp.

Giants’ skipper Tony Vietllo told reporters on Friday that Adames had an MRI on his back on Thursday which revealed only a minor lower back strain. He’s considered day-to-day and still isn’t expected to require a trip to the injured list. Christian Koss will start in his place at shortstop and bat ninth for the Giants against Rockies’ left-hander Kyle Freeland on Friday evening in San Francisco.

The Rangers needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for the addition of Marco Gonzales on Friday and Curvelo was left out in the cold. It’s possible that the 25-year-old hurler could garner some attention on waivers despite his 9.58 ERA over 10 1/3 innings at the MLB level this season.

Peoples has done a terrific job in his time with the Rangers this season, posting a 2.51 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and an 8/6 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings in his 14 appearances. Unfortunately for him, he still has minor league options remaining, which often makes him the odd man out when they need to find a spot on the active roster. He should get another chance with the Rangers in relatively short order.

Gonzales has pitched decently in a pair of bulk appearances for the Rangers this season, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and a 3/4 K/BB ratio over six innings. He’ll add a fresh arm that’s capable of working multiple innings to a Rangers’ bullpen that has been taxed recently.

Cauley has appeared in 28 games so far with the Rangers in his rookie campaign, slashing .207/.281/.345 with one homer, one RBI and a 15/5 K/BB ratio in 65 plate appearances. He should get another opportunity with the MLB club before the summer is through.

With the Rangers set to face a couple of southpaws over the weekend, Freeman will get an opportunity to contribute with Cam Cauley heading back to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Freeman is just 4-for-17 (.235) in his limited action with the Rangers this season.

Freeman was banged up a bit as he fell into the Royals’ dugout while chasing a foul popup during Wednesday’s game. He returned to the lineup on Thursday but is still a bit sore so the Dodgers wanted to give him an extra night to rest. He’s considered day-to-day. Enrique Hernandez will start in his place at first base and will bat eighth against Brewers’ southpaw Robert Gasser.