MLB Player News

Baz allowed two runs, six hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Astros on Friday.

Baz ran into trouble in the fourth inning but otherwise worked in and out of trouble in another solid showing for the young right-hander. Baz is still looking for his first win of the season, but he's yet to allow more than three runs in any of his five starts. The 25-year-old has five or more strikeouts in four starts this season and will carry a 3.60 ERA into a matchup vs the Cardinals next week.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rays. He allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with 11 strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Kikuchi gave up a double and home run to the first two batters he faced as a member of the Astros and then proceeded to get 17 outs while giving up one hit. The 11 strikeouts were the most by an Astros pitcher in his team debut since Gerrit Cole in 2018 and tied for the fourth most in a debut in team history. Kikuchi now has 43 strikeouts in his last five starts (26.1 innings), but he's also allowed 20 runs in that stretch.

Skubal (12-4) took the loss Friday against Kansas City, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out eight.

Skubal was solid for most of the night Friday, holding the Royals to three runs through his first six innings while racking up eight strikeouts for the third time in his last four starts. However, the left-hander allowed a pair of singles with one out in the seventh before he was replaced by Shelby Miller, who'd allow both inherited runs to score. It's the first loss for Skubal since June 19 -- he'd gone 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA in his previous six outings (40 innings). Skubal still sports a stellar 2.47 ERA on the year with a 0.95 WHIP and an AL-leading 162 strikeouts through 22 starts (136.1 innings). Skubal will look to get back into the win column his next time out -- he's currently lined up to face the Mariners on the road next week.

Ragans (8-7) earned the win Friday over the Tigers, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Ragans got off to a shaky start Friday, surrendering a two-run homer to Justyn-Henry Malloy in the first inning. However, the southpaw settled in and blanked Detroit over his final 4.2 frames, allowing just one additional hit, en route to his third win in his last four starts. While he ultimately turned in a strong outing Friday, Ragans has now failed to make it through six innings in back-to-back starts -- he'd gone at least six in eight of his previous nine starts. Overall, Ragans sports a 3.36 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 159:45 K:BB across 134 innings this season. He's currently slated to face the Red Sox at home in his next start.

The Rangers placed Scherzer on the 15-day injured list Friday due to right shoulder fatigue.

Scherzer noted after his most recent start Tuesday against St. Louis that he felt his arm fatigued for the second time in three starts, per MLB.com. He took the loss against the Cardinals after allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five across four innings and 68 pitches. A minimum stint on the injured list would put Scherzer on track to return to the Texas rotation Aug. 15, but he could be held out longer to make sure his shoulder is 100 percent healthy. In his eight starts since returning from offseason back surgery in June, Scherzer has gone 2-4 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB across 39.1 innings. Walter Pennington was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.

Cole (fatigue) said that he's been cleared to start Sunday against the Blue Jays after his bullpen session Friday went well, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Cole was scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start against the Phillies due to general body fatigue, but he is set to return to the mound for Sunday's series finale. The right-hander has made seven starts since recovering from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow, going 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 35 innings.

Schmidt (lat) is slated to throw live batting practice Tuesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Schmidt began throwing bullpen sessions in late July after a month-long shutdown from throwing, and the Yankees have officially cleared him to face live hitters again. Given the slow pace at which the 28-year-old's recovery has progressed, it's likely he'll require a few additional sessions of live BP before he embarks on a rehab assignment in the minors.

Manager Joe Espada said that Garcia won't make a minor-league rehab start Sunday as planned due to right elbow soreness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia has now had his rehab assignment paused on two occasions as he continues to work his way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old right-hander reportedly experienced the renewed soreness in his elbow Friday upon reporting to Minute Maid Park. The Astros remain optimistic that Garcia will be able to return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, but his latest setback will further delay his 2024 debut.

The Athletics transferred Medina (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Friday.

The move comes with Medina scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery Tuesday, and the procedure will likely keep the 25-year-old right-hander out for the 2025 campaign, too. Across his eight starts this season, Medina went 2-4 with a 5.18 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 32:20 K:BB across 40 innings. The move makes room on Oakland's 40-man roster for infielder Darell Hernaiz (ankle), who was reinstated from the 60-day IL.

The White Sox placed Thorpe on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right flexor strain.

It's not clear when Thorpe was injured, but he had surrendered a combined 14 runs over his last two starts. Given the nature of the injury, the rookie right-hander could be in store for a lengthy absence. Thorpe has posted a 5.48 ERA and 25:21 K:BB over 44.1 innings in his first nine major-league starts.