Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will make his season debut Friday night at the Washington Nationals.

Houston manager Joe Espada made the announcement Wednesday.

"Getting him back is huge because it brings a level of confidence to our team, a boost of confidence that we're going to get someone who's been an MVP, a Cy Young [winner] on the mound," Espada said. "It's [good] for the morale and to get stuff started and moving in the right direction."

The Cleveland Guardians acquired right-hander Pedro Avila from the San Diego Padres for cash on Wednesday.

In a corresponding move, the Guardians transferred infielder Angel Martinez to the 60-day injured list.

The Colorado Rockies placed veteran Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a low back strain.

Bryant, 32, is batting just .149 through 13 games this season with one home run, six RBIs and 18 strikeouts. The move is retroactive to Sunday.

San Diego Padres ace Yu Darvish landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with neck tightness.

The Padres' Opening Day starter, Darvish last pitched Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits in five innings in a no-decision against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The 37-year-old right-hander's designation is retroactive to Monday.

Ozzie Albies has been placed by the Atlanta Braves on the 10-day injured list with a fractured big toe on his right foot.

"It's a freak injury, and there's nothing I can do it," Albies said. "Just makes sure I heal fast, and I'm ready to go."

Albies wore a walking boot Tuesday. He said he didn't realize he was injured until he took off his shoe Monday night and was taken for X-rays by a trainer.

"I'm sure once he got inside and the adrenaline stopped flowing and the game juices and all that, you're just seeing him limp around and got pretty sore," Snitker said. "I'm sure that wasn't real comfortable out there."

Jack Leiter, the son of former major league pitcher Al Leiter, is set to make his major league debut for the Texas Rangers against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Texas said Tuesday it intended to select the contract of Leiter, 23, from Triple-A Round Rock, where he is 1-1 with a 3.73 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance this season.

Whitey Herzog, the gruff and ingenious Hall of Fame manager who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to three pennants and a World Series title in the 1980s and perfected an intricate, nail-biting strategy known as "Whiteyball," has died. He was 92.

"Whitey spent his last few days surrounded by his family. We have so appreciated all of the prayers and support from friends who knew he was very ill. Although it is hard for us to say goodbye, his peaceful passing was a blessing for him," his family said in a statement released by the Cardinals.

Astros ace Justin Verlander will throw a side session Tuesday, and if that goes well he'll make his season debut this weekend against the Washington Nationals.

Houston manager Joe Espada made the announcement Monday but wouldn't say which game of the series Verlander would start. The three-game set begins Friday night.

"He's in a good spot," Espada said. "He feels good. He feels confident. He wants to contribute. He knows that we need him on the mound, we need his presence and right now and he's right where he needs to be."

John Sterling, the longtime radio voice of the New York Yankees, has decided to retire, effective immediately, the club announced Monday.

Sterling, 85, joined the Yankees' broadcast in 1989. He went on to call 5,420 regular-season and 211 postseason Yankees games. Sterling had taken on a reduced role in recent seasons and traveled less often because of health concerns. This season was his 36th in the booth and 20th working alongside Suzyn Waldman.

Dwight Gooden still knows how to work a crowd.

Honored by the New York Mets with the retirement of his No. 16 on Sunday, the four-time All-Star recounted how his career in Queens was cut short by drugs and alcohol, forcing him to sign across town ahead of the 1996 season.

"I wanted to stay to make things right with you guys. I didn't want to leave on the note that I did," Gooden told the fans, "Unfortunately, they thought it was best that we go separate ways. I was lucky enough to stay in New York, play with the New York Yankees for two years, '96 and '97."