MLB Player News

Kikuchi (2-5) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 8-1 to the Pirates, coughing up six runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and while Kikuchi was able to avoid an early exit, he still wound up putting extra pressure on a Toronto bullpen that had already been taxed by a 14-inning game Friday. The southpaw left the mound after 89 pitches (61 strikes), and he's been tagged for 10 earned runs in 8.1 frames over his last two starts -- a far cry from the prior six weeks, during which he delivered six quality starts in eight outings with a 2.61 ERA. Kikuchi will look to rebound when he next takes the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Orioles.

Miller (5-5) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing three hits and issuing one walk while striking out nine batters over six innings.

The score was close early on, but a four-run fourth inning for Seattle put Miller on cruise control. The right-hander racked up 13 whiffs en route to his nine punchouts, which tied his second-highest total of the season. Miller has earned the win in each of his last two starts following a stretch of six outings between April 24 and May 22 during which he went 0-4.

Poteet (2-0) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.

Poteet's previous appearance this season came as the 27th man in a doubleheader before he was returned to the minors. He dealt with a finger blister before he was called up again, but he was sharp Saturday, throwing 47 of 78 pitches for strikes. Poteet is an option to replace Clarke Schmidt (lat) in the rotation moving forward, and this start bodes well for Poteet's chances of sticking in a starting role. He's tentatively projected for a tougher home start versus the Dodgers next week.

Ryan (4-4) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Ryan was stung by the long ball in the loss, giving up a season-high four homers. He has allowed at least that many home runs in a start four times in his career, though he came into Saturday on pace for a career-best 0.9 HR/9. Ryan saw his season ERA jump from 2.96 to 3.38 as a result of the poor start, but that mark is still on pace for the best of his career.

Valdez (4-3) earned the win over Minnesota on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four batters over seven innings.

Valdez needed a modest 85 pitches to get through seven frames before turning the game over to the bullpen. He notched his second straight quality start and fourth over his past five contests. Overall, Valdez has given up three or fewer earned runs in seven of his nine starts on the campaign.

Springs (elbow/lat) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Springs resumed throwing Thursday, but Saturday's activity marked his return to the mound. He threw primarily fastballs and changeups and will retake the mound Tuesday. If that goes well, Springs' next could be restarting his minor-league rehab assignment. Unsurprisingly, the Rays are planning to be cautious with Springs, who was lifted after facing just one hitter in his second rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on May 25 due to a lat injury. Springs has been on the 60-day injured list all season while completing his recovery from his April 2023 Tommy John surgery.

Detmers (3-6) took the loss Saturday against the Mariners, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. He was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake after the start.

Detmers started the season as one of the Angels' top starters and garnered wins in each of his first three starts, striking out 26 batters with two runs allowed across 17.1 innings. However, he hasn't gotten in the win column since. Outside of a decent 8.9 K/9 across his last 40.1 innings, nothing has been working for Detmers lately, as he's allowed 10 long balls and 20 walks over that stretch. The 24-year-old was a reliable arm for Los Angeles the past two seasons and it's possible that a Triple-A stint will help the southpaw regain some confidence and find his previous form. For now, Detmers will give up his spot in the rotation and on the 26-man roster. A corresponding move has yet to be announced.

Lively (5-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Lively fired three scoreless frames before allowing two runs in the fourth inning, and he left the game just shy of a quality start after allowing a two-out single to Lane Thomas in the sixth. This was Lively's fourth win in as many games, and he has not allowed more than three runs in any of his nine starts this season. Lively will take a 2.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB into a road matchup against the Marlins next weekend.

Lorenzen (3-3) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.1 scoreless innings.

After allowing the first two hitters he faced to reach base, Lorenzen settled in and held the Marlins in check for his fourth straight quality start. Lorenzen has gone at least six innings in eight of his nine starts this season and now owns a 2.96 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:26 K:BB through 54.2 innings. Lorenzen, who offers eligibility at relief pitcher in certain fantasy formats, will look to stay hot in a home matchup against the Giants next weekend.

Brooks allowed seven runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday. He struck out one.

Five of the seven runs charged to Brooks came in Atlanta's six-run fifth inning. The 34-year-old right-hander, who is still looking for his first win of the season, now sports a 5.82 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over 21.2 innings -- he came into the day with a 3.63 ERA through his first three starts. Brooks will look for a better result in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week at home versus Toronto.