MLB Player News

Kirby did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against Minnesota. He struck out nine.

Kirby couldn't contain Minnesota, serving up four total extra-base hits including a two-run homer to Matt Wallner in the first frame. The outing marked Kirby's first time not reaching the fifth inning since June 7 (seven starts). The 25-year-old has endured a rollercoaster stretch of starts, having allowed at least five runs in two of his last four starts while giving up a combined one run during the other two. However, he still owns a solid 3.49 ERA to go along with a 112:12 K:BB through 123.2 innings in 2023.

Greinke (1-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and zero walks over five innings against Cleveland. He struck out one.

After throwing 62 pitches in his first start since returning from a brief IL stint, Greinke got up to 71 pitches Tuesday. However, he added another tally in the loss column, allowing four runs including a pair of homers to No. 9 hitter Bo Naylor. Greinke now has 11 losses on the season, the second-most in baseball. Over his last five appearances (25 innings), he holds a 7.56 ERA, a 2.2 HR/9 and an 8:5 K:BB.

Civale (4-2) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over eight innings against the Royals. He struck out five.

Civale logged his longest start of 2023 on Tuesday, allowing one run over eight frames on 93 pitches. He was especially effective at limiting power, holding the Royals without an extra-base hit. Though Civale hasn't been a strong producer in the strikeout column (6.85 K/9), he owns an impressive 2.54 ERA and a 0.6 HR/9 through 71 innings in 2023. Civale will look to continue his breakout campaign in his next projected start, which is expected to come against one of MLB's worst offenses in the White Sox.

France (6-3) earned the win Tuesday against the Rangers after he gave up one unearned run on five hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out three.

The rookie right-hander generated a mere four swinging strikes but allowed only five singles as Texas managed just a single unearned run against him. It's France's fourth victory in his past five starts, and he has a 1.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 31.1 frames in that span. The 28-year-old now has a 2.87 ERA through his first 14 major-league starts.

Lynch (shoulder) was unable to complete a scheduled bullpen session Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch is scheduled to undergo follow-up testing later this week, and his IL stint is now certain to last longer than 15 days. He's been on the shelf since July 19 because of a left shoulder strain that was initially believed to be relatively minor.

Sale (shoulder) could be ready to begin a rehab assignment next week, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Sale will throw an up-and-down bullpen session Thursday at Triple-A Worcester and, assuming that goes well, could be cleared to start pitching in rehab games next. McCaffrey notes that the Red Sox are considering bringing Sale back from the injured list early and having him build up his stamina while in the majors. Sale is eligible for activation Aug. 1, but it seems as if he would need at least a few more days than that. He's been out since early June with a stress reaction in his left scapula.

High-A West Michigan activated Jobe (back) from its 7-day injured list Saturday and assigned him to Single-A Lakeland.

Lakeland is likely just a temporary stop for Jobe, who had been conducting his rehab assignment in the Florida State League after opening the season on the IL while he recovered from lumbar spine inflammation. Jobe has been sharp over his six appearances at Lakeland, covering 16 innings while posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB. He'll likely be cleared to make his 2023 debut at West Michigan in the coming weeks.

High-A West Michigan reinstated Kohlhepp (elbow) from its 7-day injured list Saturday and assigned him to Single-A Lakeland.

Kohlhepp had already been on a rehab assignment in the Florida State League, but he looks set to stick around in Lakeland for the foreseeable future before perhaps climbing back up to West Michigan if his performance warrants a bump up the minor-league ladder. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last April and didn't make his professional debut until June 22, when he began his assignment at Lakeland. Through seven appearances thus far, Kohlhepp has yet to allow a run and owns an 11:7 K:BB over 8.1 innings.

Battenfield (shoulder) covered 5.1 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Columbus, striking out two while allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks.

The appearance with Columbus marked the fourth of Battenfield's rehab assignment, which began at Double-A Akron before he moved up to the Guardians' top affiliate last week. He's turned in an acceptable 4.15 ERA but a poor 13:10 K:BB in 17.1 innings through those four outings, but the Guardians could still view him as their preferred No. 5 starter over Xzavion Curry, who recently moved out of the bullpen to make a pair of three-inning spot starts. After stretching out to 86 pitches Sunday, Battenfield could be activated from the 60-day injured list to take the hill when the Guardians next require a fifth starter Friday versus the White Sox.

Urquidy (shoulder) tossed three innings in his most recent rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, striking out two while allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk.

Urquidy spotted 29 of his 45 pitches for strikes in the second outing of his rehab assignment as he gets stretched back out again after having been sidelined since the beginning of May with right shoulder inflammation. The 28-year-old will shift his rehab to Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday for his third rehab start, and he'll most likely require an additional outing after that before returning from the 60-day injured list. Brandon Bielak would seem to be most at risk of losing his spot in the Houston rotation once Urquidy is deemed ready to go.