MLB Player News

Alzolay (4-9) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings as he took the loss versus Philadelphia on Thursday.

The right-hander didn't get a ton of help from the Cubs, who were limited to five singles and three walks in the contest. Alzolay gave up two of the three home runs Brad Miller hit in the game -- which is the fourth straight time he's allowed multiple homers in a start. Alzolay has a 4.66 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB through 77.1 innings overall.

Karinchak (5-2) blew the save Thursday against the Royals but registered the victory after allowing one run on two hits in one inning. He struck out a pair.

Karinchak was tasked with protecting a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning, but Carlos Santana blasted a leadoff home run to center field on a full-count pitch to tie things up. Cleveland turned Karinchak's blown save into a win when Franmil Reyes hit a walkoff three-run dinger in the bottom of the inning. It was only the second blown save in 11 opportunities for Karinchak, who owns a 2.58 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 38.1 innings on the season. Opponents are hitting just .129 off the 25-year-old, who has racked up 66 strikeouts against 22 walks.

Diekman allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Astros.

Diekman earned his seventh save of the season, but his first since May 26. He was presumably called upon in favor of Lou Trivino due to lefties Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker being due up in the final frame. Given that Trivino has racked up 13 saves to this point in the season -- seven of which came since Diekman's most recent save prior to Thursday -- Trivino should be considered the Athletics' primary closer. However, with Trevor Rosenthal (hip/shoulder) ruled out for the season, Diekman should still see occasional save chances moving forward.

Kranick is likely to start the second game of the team's doubleheader Saturday against the Mets, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Kranick was originally slated to start Friday in the same matchup. He has yet to officially be named the starter Saturday, though it is expected he will only have his appearance pushed back one day after Thursday's contest was postponed. Kranick delivered five perfect innings in his major-league debut June 27 against the Cardinals.

Ramirez was placed on the 10-day injured list with left rotator cuff inflammation Thursday.

Ramirez was roughed up as a reliever in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals, as he gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and no walks while striking out one in two innings. His shoulder issue may have contributed to his struggles, and he'll now be sidelined through the All-Star break. It's not yet clear whether the southpaw will need to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the shelf, but he'll be eligible to return shortly after the break.

Borucki (forearm) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki struck out one in a perfect relief inning for Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, and he felt good afterward. The southpaw is eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list as early as this weekend, and the team is currently in the process of deciding between activating him prior to the All-Star break or giving him another rehab appearance.

Lamet (forearm) won't return prior to the All-Star break, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet has been feeling better recently and resumed playing catch last week, but he won't start during the team's weekend series against the Rockies. If the right-hander remains on track in his recovery, he could return to the Padres shortly after the All-Star break.

Akin won't serve as the primary pitcher Thursday versus the Blue Jays after the game was postponed due to rain.

The left-hander was slated to follow opener Dillon Tate, but the postponement will lead to an unplanned off day for both teams. According to Joe Trezza of MLB.com, Baltimore won't alter its pitching plans for this weekend against the White Sox despite the schedule change, so Akin should be available out of the bullpen for the final three games before the All-Star break.

Tate won't pitch Thursday against Toronto since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Tate was slated to serve as the opener Thursday, but the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in September. The Orioles will keep the starters that they initially planned to use during their weekend series against the White Sox, while the right-hander should be available out of the bullpen.

Kranick will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Friday against the Mets, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Kranick delivered five scoreless frames in his big-league debut June 27, and he'll receive his second start during the final weekend of the season's first half. The right-hander is expected to remain a member of the rotation during the second half after making a strong impression in his debut.