• Slated for rehab assignment
    Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Javier (neck) will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Espada didn't specify exactly when Javier's first rehab appearance will be, nor did he say how long the 27-year-old right-hander will remain in the minors. However, there had been speculation that Javier would be able to avoid a rehab assignment completely, so he may only need to make one start before returning to an Astros rotation that has already dealt with numerous injuries this season. Rotowire.com Today, 2:24 pm
     
  • Cristian Javier to make rehab start this weekend
    Cristian Javier (neck) will begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend.

    Advice: It’s an extremely encouraging development for Houston’s injury-plagued rotation as Javier appears close to returning after landing on the injured list back on April 21 with neck discomfort. The 27-year-old righty might be ready to return after just one rehab outing, but nothing official yet. Rotoworld Today, 2:03 pm
     
  • Lands five-out save
    Holmes earned the save Wednesday, allowing one hit with three strikeouts over 1.2 scoreless innings against Baltimore.

    Advice: Holmes capped off an excellent game by the Yankees pitching staff, as they yielded three hits and no runs as a whole. Individually, Holmes logged three strikeouts for the first time all year and his 1.2 innings of work marked his longest outing of the campaign. He's yet to allow an earned run during 15 innings and is tied for the MLB lead in saves with 10. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:54 pm
     
  • Notches third straight W
    Wheeler (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: Although Wheeler wasn't able to extend his streak of one-hit starts, he delivered another excellent outing. His lone blemish came in the second inning when Ehire Adrianza swatted a two-out solo homer. Wheeler has been one of the best arms in baseball lately, having surrendered one run on seven hits with 22 strikeouts in 18.1 innings across his last three starts. He'll look to keep the ball rolling in a tentative matchup with the Blue Jays next Wednesday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:47 pm
  • Clay Holmes locks down five-out save against O’s
    Clay Holmes slammed the door on the Orioles on Wednesday night, getting the final five outs to preserve a two-run advantage.

    Advice: Holmes was called upon with two men on and one out in the eighth inning, and he quelled that threat by striking out Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman in succession to end the inning. He returned for the ninth where he allowed a leadoff single to Ryan O’Hearn and nothing more. The 31-year-old right-hander has been unbelievable so far this season, hurling 15 innings of scoreless baseball with a 16/1 K/BB ratio while converting 10 of his first 11 save chances. Studly. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:09 pm
     
  • Zack Wheeler collects win over Angels on Wednesday
    Zack Wheeler struck out six and yielded one run over five innings on Wednesday in a win over the Angels.

    Advice: Wheeler did what he does best out in Los Angeles, pounding the strike zone and limiting hard contact against an injury-depleted Angels lineup. The 33-year-old fantasy ace threw 67 of 106 pitches for strikes and allowed just five batted balls with an exit velocity in excess of 95 mph. A second-inning solo shot from veteran utility specialist Ehire Adrianza represented the lone tally against him over five frames. He’s allowed just one run over 18 1/3 innings in his last three starts since April 20. He’ll bring a sparkling 1.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 52/12 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings (seven starts) into a home outing on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Rotoworld Yesterday, 4:06 pm
  • Orioles place Grayson Rodriguez on 15-day IL
    Orioles placed RHP Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 30, with right shoulder inflammation.

    Advice: The move comes just two days after Rodriguez’s last start where he allowed zero runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Yankees on Monday. The 24-year-old has posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.41 WHIP with a 37/12 K/BB ratio in his six starts this season. The positive for the Orioles is that the team was able to activate John Means and Kyle Bradish should be back in the rotation soon as well. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:44 am
    W, 7-2 vs NYY
     
  • Hits IL with shoulder inflammation
    The Orioles placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

    Advice: Rodriguez showed no signs of being hindered by an injury in his last start against the Yankees on Monday, striking out three over 5.2 scoreless innings. However, the right-hander's shoulder is evidently bothering him enough that he will miss a least the next two weeks of action. John Means (forearm) was activated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move and will replace Rodriguez on the 26-man active roster and in the rotation. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:39 am
    W, 7-2 vs NYY
     
  • Could be back for weekend series
    Javier (neck) could be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start during Houston's weekend series against Seattle, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Javier threw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw again either Wednesday or Thursday. How Javier fares in his upcoming throwing session will likely determine his status for the weekend, though it appears that Javier will be able to avoid a rehab stint even if his absence extends later into May. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:51 pm