MLB Player News

Kikuchi came away with a no-decision Friday in the Blue Jays' 5-4 win over the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.

The southpaw hasn't picked up a win in over a month, but he pitched well enough Friday, generating 32 called or swinging strikes on 88 pitches. During his winless streak, Kikuchi has posted a 3.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB through 33.1 innings, so his luck figures to turn at some point. He's next set to take the mound at home next week against the Rangers.

Marsh didn't factor into the decision Friday in the Royals' 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over four relief innings. He struck out six.

Entering the game to begin the third inning after Collin Snider had supplied two scoreless frames as the opener, Marsh looked sharp as he generated 23 called or swinging strikes on only 65 pitches. The right-hander was briefly in line for his first win of the season when Kansas City took a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh, but the bullpen immediately fell apart in the bottom of the inning. Marsh has given up three runs or fewer in five of his last six outings, and while a blowup against Boston has left him with a 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP during that stretch, his 34:14 K:BB through 28 innings at least shows some promise. His next appearance, whether as a starter or bulk reliever, is likely to come on the road next week against the White Sox.

Kluber (shoulder) had his first rehab appearance pushed from Friday to Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Kluber had been scheduled to pitch Friday for Triple-A Worcester, but a travel issue delayed the outing until Saturday. He will return to the Red Sox as a reliever.

Canning (7-6) allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Guardians.

This is just the second time in five outings since he returned from a calf injury that Canning has allowed more than two runs. Despite his solid work in that span, including a 29:5 K:BB over 25.1 innings, he's gone just 1-2. The 27-year-old has maintained fairly pedestrian numbers on the year with a 4.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 120:30 K:BB through 110 innings over 21 appearances (19 starts). Canning is projected for a home start in Detroit next week, though he may move up to pitch in Seattle if Chase Silseth (concussion) isn't cleared to return.

Allen (7-7) allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Angels.

Allen had allowed 11 runs over his last 15 innings during a three-start winless streak. He was able to put in a good, if inefficient, effort and was pulled after 90 pitches (55 strikes). The rookie southpaw is at a 3.68 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 113:43 K:BB through 117.1 innings over 22 starts this season. Allen is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers, though he could pitch in San Francisco instead if Xzavion Curry gets bumped from Cleveland's rotation next week.

Greinke will work in bulk relief behind opener James McArthur in Saturday's game at Toronto, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

In his last turn through the rotation last weekend versus the Red Sox, Greinke entered the game behind Taylor Clarke, failing to record a strikeout over 3.2 innings while giving up three earned runs on five hits and one hit. Despite Greinke's poor results the last time out, the Royals will deploy him in a bulk role once again. The veteran righty carries a 5.34 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB over 123 innings this season with Kansas City.

Brown (10-11) allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Padres.

For the third time in his last four starts, Brown failed to complete five innings. He's posted a 24:10 K:BB over 16 innings while giving up three home runs over that span, but he's just not getting the job done. The right-hander is at a 4.78 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 162:49 K:BB through 141.2 innings across 27 appearances (26 starts) this season. Brown is tentatively lined up for a favorable home start versus the Athletics next week.

Montgomery (8-11) yielded five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Athletics.

Montgomery allowed two runs through four innings before giving up a homer in each of the next two frames. It was the first time he allowed more than one home run in a start since May 16 and his season ERA was raised to 3.62 through 161.2 innings. Over his last three starts, Montgomery has been tagged with 14 runs in just 14.2 frames. His next outing is currently lined up to come in Toronto.

Blackburn did not factor in the decision Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over three innings in Oakland's win over Texas. He struck out five.

Blackburn needed 87 pitches (43 strikes) to complete three innings in the inefficient performance. It was his shortest outing since July 9 after nine straight starts in which he worked at least five frames. He posted a 5.48 ERA over his first nine starts this season but has registered a 2.52 ERA over his last nine, lowering his season mark to 3.88. Blackburn is currently projected to start in Houston next week.

Keuchel did not factor in the decision Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings during the Twins' win over the Mets. He struck out six.

Keuchel rebounded well after being tagged for five runs by the Rangers in his last outing. The only damage against him Friday came from Francisco Lindor's two-run double in the fourth inning. Keuchel set a season high with six punchouts and now owns a 14:9 K:BB and a 4.78 ERA through 26.1 MLB frames. He's lined up to face the Rays at home next week.