MLB Player News

Johnson (2-3) tossed five innings Thursday, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks in the 15-7 win over the Yankees. He struck out 11 and yielded three homers while earning the win.

The rookie southpaw's 11 strikeouts are a new career-high despite lasting just five innings against the rival Yankees. Johnson was taken deep by Didi Gregorius twice in the outing, once for a three-run shot in the first inning and later for a solo blast in the fifth. He also allowed a solo homer to Aaron Hicks in the second inning. Luckily, Boston poured on eight runs in the fourth inning and lined up Johnson for the win. The 27-year-old should return to the bullpen with Chris Sale (shoulder) expected back soon.

Jays manager John Gibbons plans to eventually use Giles as the team's closer, but only after he first pitches in a lower-leverage spot first, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.CA reports.

Giles believes his brief demotion to Triple-A allowed him to regain his slider as an effective out pitch. "I got a great feel for my slider when I got demoted to triple-A, I got my slider back, now it's about me establishing my fastball better to make me more successful," he said. "Knowing that guys are going to ambush me early, I've got to be more prepared."

Lopez allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over seven innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Thursday.

It was nice to see the 24-year-old shake off a miserable end to July (18 runs, eight homers allowed in his final three starts) and start August with one of his best performances in months. He left in line for the win, but the bullpen ultimately allowed the Royals to tie it late. Lopez blamed his recent struggles on a lack of focus, with manager Rick Renteria adding that "it has nothing to do with the physical depletion of his ability to do things." While this was a step forward for Lopez, he draws the Yankees next and that's a matchup most in mixed leagues will want to avoid.

Hauschild was signed by the Blue Jays on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Hauschild was let go by the Astros on Monday, but he latched on with a new team just days later. He'll head right to the major-league level, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Thursday's game against Seattle. Hauschild started 19 games at Triple-A Fresno in 2018, posting a 4.88 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with a 93:38 K:BB over 97 frames.

Giles was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Giles was traded from Houston to Toronto on Monday alongside Hector Perez and David Paulino in exchange for Roberto Osuna (suspension). Giles was demoted to the minor leagues with the Astros after posting a 4.99 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 30.2 frames. Expect the 27-year-old right-hander to be deployed in mid-to-high leverage situations as he looks to turn his 2018 campaign around.

Shawaryn was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Shawaryn made 19 starts at Double-A Portland in 2018, posting a 3.28 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 99:27 K:BB over 112 innings. He's ranked as Boston's No. 12 prospect.

Lopez, who is starting Thursday's series finale against the Royals, asserts he's fine physically and contends his recent downturn is due to a lack of focus, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Manager Rick Renteria and other coaches met with Lopez following his last outing, when he allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings against Toronto, and came away believing the pitcher when he said he felt fine physically, despite the right-hander's four-seam fastball -- which has averaged 96 mph this season -- being down to 94 in the loss to the Blue Jays. "It has nothing to do with the physical depletion of his ability to do things. He just felt that he wasn't giving us a commitment, (in terms of his focus), when he was pitching and he was going to try to make the adjustment," said the manager. Lopez enters Thursday's start having gone 2-5 with a 7.22 ERA over his last seven starts after compiling a 3.35 ERA in his first 14.

Junis (6-11) got the win Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings against the White Sox.

Junis allowed a home run on the first pitch he threw all night but settled in from that point on, not allowing another run until the sixth inning with Kansas City already ahead by nine. Even with the relatively easy win, the four earned continues a troubling stretch for the 25-year-old, as he's posted a 7.84 ERA over 41.1 innings in his last eight starts and has allowed 14 home runs in that span. He'll take a 5.12 ERA into Monday's game against the Cubs.

Covey (4-7) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out one over 4.1 innings against the Royals.

Chicago's fielding did Covey no favors, committing a pair of errors -- including one by the pitcher himself -- but it was still a rough outing for the 26-year-old. It was his sixth start with two or fewer strikeouts in his last eight turns, and he's lasted longer than five innings just once in that span. Wednesday's showing ballooned his ratios to a 5.70 ERA and 1.57 WHIP, and his 51:33 K:BB through 72.2 innings doesn't offer much solace. He'll look to turn it around Monday against the Yankees.

Beeks will be deployed as a long reliever for Thursday's matchup against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hunter Wood is slated to open the game, but Beeks figures to enter after the first few innings. He'll look to redeem himself after getting knocked around in his last relief appearance (eight runs on 10 hits across 3.1 innings).