MLB Player News

Akin will follow opener Dillon Tate as the primary pitcher Thursday against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Akin has a 12.18 ERA and 2.18 WHIP over 17 frames in his past four starts, so manager Brandon Hyde will utilize him behind an opener in hopes of better results. Assuming the left-hander is more effective Thursday, he would have a better chance of qualifying for a victory since he won't need to last a full five innings.

King was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right middle finger contusion Thursday, retroactive to July 5.

King was a candidate to start Friday's game against the Astros, but he'll now be sidelined through the All-Star break while he recovers. It's not yet clear how much time the right-hander will require on the injured list, but he'll be eligible to return as soon as July 15, which is the Yankees' first game back from the break. Nestor Cortes could be an option to fill in as a starter if needed, while Tyler Wade was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

Barlow (2-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Wednesday against the Reds after allowing two runs on three hits across one inning.

Barlow entered the seventh inning with the Royals holding a 2-0 lead and a runner on first, but he was unable to sustain that advantage, and Kansas City was down a run by the time he departed the contest. He began his outing allowing three straight hits, including a two-run double from Jonathan India, which decided the game. This was the first time Barlow gave up more than one run since April 12.

Akin won't start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The southpaw was initially listed as the starter for Thursday's matchup, but the Orioles now plan to use Dillon Tate as an opener. As long as Akin isn't hurt, he could presumably be available to serve as the primary pitcher against Toronto. Across his last four appearances, the 26-year-old has posted a 12.18 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 17 innings.

Tate will be the opener for Thursday's game against Toronto, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate has plenty of experience as a starter in the minors but has pitched out of the bullpen in each of his 55 major-league appearances thus far. Don't expect him to pitch particularly deep in Thursday's game, as he's topped out at 2.2 innings this season and just threw two frames on Tuesday. Keegan Akin had been scheduled to start, but the Orioles have yet to announce if he'll be the primary pitcher after Tate or if they'll simply be going with a bullpen day.

Raley was placed on the injured list due to health and safety protocols Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The language of the announcement makes it clear that Raley is on the COVID-19 injured list, though whether he's tested positive for the virus himself or is merely in the protocol for contact-tracing purposes remains to be seen. Ralph Garza was recalled in a corresponding move.

Richards struck out one in a perfect inning of relief during Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Orioles.

The right-hander made short work of the O's in the sixth inning as the first man out of the bullpen after Hyun Jin Ryu. Richards is having a solid season in relief despite being traded twice, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB through 32.2 innings, and he could see more high-leverage work in Toronto than he did in Tampa Bay or Milwaukee.

Green earned the save against Seattle on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out two batters.

Usual closer Aroldis Chapman has been a disaster of late, giving up nine earned runs and issuing eight walks along with six hits over his past 2.1 innings. As such, the Yankees turned to Green to close the door Wednesday while clinging to a one-run lead. The veteran righty came through, striking out two of the three batters he faced in a 1-2-3 frame. It's difficult to imagine New York going away from Chapman permanently, though the Yankees could give him some time to get his arsenal back in order. Green figures to be a logical temporary closer in that scenario, as he has impressed this season with a 2.23 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB across 44.1 innings.

Nelson allowed one run on three walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning against Seattle on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

When Domingo German was scratched from his scheduled start due to an emergency root canal, Nelson was selected to open the game for the Yankees. His outing did not go well, as the right-hander threw only 18 of 32 pitches for strikes and put three men on base via walk. He also hit one batter and threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to cross the plate. The rough outing continued what has been a difficult season for Nelson, who has issued 12 walks over 12.2 frames while posting a 9.95 ERA and 2.05 WHIP. His 14.9 K/9 is impressive but doesn't make up for the shakiness of his other numbers.

Soto worked around a hit and a walk to pitch two scoreless innings and record the save Wednesday against the Rangers. He struck out three.

The lefty recorded his first save since June 15, though he's still been pitching well, as he now has a 2.78 ERA and 43 strikeouts through 35.2 innings. And despite the lull in saves, Soto does still lead the team with seven saves this season. Michael Fulmer (neck) is second with six saves, but he's currently on the 10-day injured list. That means Soto should continue to see save opportunities, along with righty Jose Cisnero, who had the team's two most recent saves before Soto's on Wednesday.