MLB Player News

Sears (4-7) took the loss against the Twins on Saturday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 1.1 innings.

Sears was wild in the first inning, as a pair of hit-by-pitches contributed to a Twins run, though he was able to escape the frame without additional damage. Things got much worse for the lefty in the second, when he allowed six straight batters to reach base to open the frame and was pulled with just one out after six runs had crossed the plate. One more Twins runner scored following his departure, resulting in a season-worst eight runs being charged to Sears' ledger. This was by far the hurler's shortest and worst start of the campaign, and the collapse vaulted his season ERA from 4.25 to 5.04.

Ober (7-4) earned the win over Oakland on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out 10 batters over nine innings.

Ober was extremely efficient in the impressive outing, needing just 89 pitches to polish off the first complete game of his career. The right-hander threw 70 of those pitches for strikes and racked up a career-best 23 whiffs. Ober did give up a pair of solo homers -- just the third time through 15 starts that he's allowed multiple home runs -- but those didn't hurt much with Minnesota's offense putting up 10 runs. Ober carries a 4.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB over 82 innings on the campaign.

Stroman (7-3) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 6.2 innings to earn the win over Atlanta on Saturday.

Stroman was sharp in his first quality start across four outings in June. He gave up a solo home run to Marcell Ozuna in the first inning and a two-run blast to Travis d'Arnaud in the seventh. Stroman has walked multiple batters in five straight starts, which has led to some recent inconsistency. He's at a 3.15 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 67:40 K:BB through 91.1 innings over 16 starts this season. The right-hander is projected to make his next start at Toronto.

Burnes (8-3) allowed four runs on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over seven innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Astros.

Burnes had a solid outing, but a two-run home run by Yordan Alvarez and a solo shot by Chas McCormick were too much for the Orioles to overcome. This marks the first time all year Burnes has given up multiple homers in a start -- he's yielded just 10 long balls through 16 starts. While this wasn't his best work, he's still at an excellent 2.35 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 94:24 K:BB through 99.2 innings. Burnes is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.

Blanco (8-2) allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings to earn the win over the Orioles on Saturday.

Blanco wasn't as dominant as he was with seven no-hit innings last weekend versus the Tigers, but it was still an impressive showing. He's allowed just two runs over 20 innings across his last three starts after giving up four runs in each of his two outings before this stretch of dominance. The right-hander continues to thrive in his first full year as a starter, pitching to a 2.34 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79:35 K:BB through 84.2 innings over 14 starts. Blanco is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Mets.

Berrios (6-6) allowed five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Guardians.

The Guardians aren't known for power, but they tagged Berrios with three home runs -- Bo Naylor, Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan all took the right-hander deep. With seven homers allowed over his last four starts, Berrios' trouble with the long ball is becoming a concern. He's given up 14 runs across 22.2 innings in that span and now has a 3.43 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB through 97 innings across 16 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at home in a difficult matchup versus the Yankees.

Lively (7-3) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Lively bounced back from his shortest start of the year by getting back into the win column. He hasn't struck out more than five batters in any of his last five outings, but he's generally been good at limiting damage, as he's given up two or fewer runs in nine of his 12 starts. The right-hander is at a 3.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:20 K:BB through 65.1 innings this season, though he's also been tagged for 10 home runs, including two in Saturday's start. Lively is projected to make his next appearance at Kansas City.

Maeda (2-4) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Maeda tossed three scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the fourth. He then yielded two hits in the fifth before being pulled at 92 pitches, and an inherited runner scored on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn. Maeda has not registered a quality start since May 1 and has only completed five or more innings in six of his 13 starts this season. The 36-year-old owns a 6.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB over 54 innings and lines up to face the Angels next week.

Thorpe (1-1) earned the win against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.

Thorpe turned in the best start of his young major-league career, earning his first win in the process. He leaned on his changeup, throwing it 38 times and generating an impressive 10 swinging strikes on the pitch. The rookie walked four batters after yielding five free passes June 16 and owns an unimpressive 9:11 K:BB with a 5.02 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 14.1 innings with the White Sox. He lines up for a home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Sandoval was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left elbow strain.

Sandoval's move to the IL comes after he was lifted in the third inning of his start Friday against the Dodgers with what was initially labeled left forearm tightness. While he's eligible to return from the IL on July 7, the Angels could opt to play it safe with the 27-year-old and hold him out until the All-Star break. Guillermo Zuniga was called up from Triple-A Salt in a corresponding move, though he'll head to the bullpen and won't be a replacement in the rotation for Sandoval.