MLB Player News

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.

Gray allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

The positive news is that Gray was able to make his scheduled start after being struck on the leg by a comebacker in his previous outing Wednesday. However, the right-hander couldn't contain the Astros' offense, tying a season-worst mark by allowing six runs. To Gray's credit, he managed to stick around for five frames after allowing the first five batters he faced to reach base and giving up four runs in the first inning. The veteran hurler's ERA rose to 3.66 as a result of the rough outing, continuing a troubling trend after it sat at an impressive 2.32 through June 7.

Bielak pitched 4.2 innings against Texas on Monday, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision.

Bielak's final line was softened a bit by the fact that three of the runs against him were unearned, but it was nonetheless a poor outing by the right-hander. He threw just 59 of 102 pitches for a strike and tied a season high with four walks while surrendering a pair of long balls. Nonetheless, Bielak managed to escape with a no-decision thanks to a productive performance by Houston's offense, keeping his record even at 5-5. Bielak had been pitching well in July coming into Monday, posting a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over three starts, so the rough outing shouldn't impact his place in the rotation for now. However, Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is on track to return to the rotation in early August, which could send Bielak to the bullpen.

Berrios allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Monday.

Berrios did alright from a damage-prevention standpoint, but he needed 94 pitches (52 strikes) to complete five frames. The right-hander has been sharp lately, having allowed just three runs over his previous 18.1 innings prior to Monday. This was the second start in a row that he's walked four. Berrios is at a 3.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 117:38 K:BB through 124.1 innings over 21 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Angels this weekend.

Castillo allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over seven innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Monday.

Both of the runs and three of the four hits Castillo gave up came in the fifth inning. The veteran hurler was otherwise dominant, racking up 18 swinging strikes and nine punchouts. Castillo finished with his third quality start over his past four outings, though he's managed only one win over that stretch. He's been a consistent and reliable starter in his first full season with Seattle, completing at least five frames in all 21 of his starts and compiling a 3.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 142:32 K:BB over 125.1 innings.

Maeda pitched 6.1 innings against Seattle on Monday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out eight batters in a no-decision.

Maeda got through four scoreless frames before Sean Murphy hit a solo shot off him in the fifth. That was the only run the right-hander allowed, and he departed in line for the win with one out in the sixth only to see Minnesota's bullpen give up the lead in the ninth. Maeda finished with his third quality start over his past four outings, and he's now allowed three or fewer runs in each of his six starts since returning from the injured list June 23. During that span, the veteran hurler has posted very solid numbers, including a 2.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 44:11 K:BB over 32.2 innings.

Allen (4-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits over seven innings Monday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Royals.

Allen gave up just two runs through five frames before serving up a two-run shot to Salvador Perez in the sixth inning. It was the first homer allowed by Allen since June 15 and was the first time in his career that he was tagged with multiple home runs. The left-handed rookie fired 12.2 shutout innings over his previous three starts and still owns a solid 3.39 ERA after Monday's hiccup. Allen's next outing is projected to be against the White Sox in Chicago this weekend.

Kremer did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over seven innings in a 3-2 win over the Phillies. He struck out three.

Kremer's solid albeit inconsistent season continued Monday -- he was tagged for five runs in 4.2 innings in his previous outing against the Dodgers, though he's now held opponents to just one run in three of his last four starts. Overall, Kremer is 10-4 with a 4.59 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 104:33 K:BB through 21 starts (115.2 innings) this season. The 27-year-old right-hander is currently lined up to make his next start Sunday against the Yankees.

Flores was placed on the 7-day injured list due to an undisclosed injury Monday, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

The move is retroactive to July 22, so he'll be eligible for activation beginning Saturday. Flores owns a 4.04 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 75 strikeouts over 75.2 frames so far this season with Double-A Erie.