MLB Player News

Blackburn (1-1) allowed five runs on six hits and four walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against the White Sox.

All five runs charged to Blackburn came during an ugly third inning. After issuing a total of four walks in his previous four starts, he walked a season-high four batters Sunday. He's allowed at least four runs in three of his first seven outings this season, resulting in a 4.50 ERA with a 40:12 K:BB through 36 frames. Blackburn's next outing is lined up to be in Boston.

Detmers (2-5) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings to earn the win Sunday over the Diamondbacks.

Detmers allowed multiple runs for the first time since June 1, but he still emerged with his fourth straight quality start. He's also racked up at least eight strikeouts in each of his last five starts. The southpaw's strong pitching has helped to get his season numbers back on track -- he's at a 3.72 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 103:31 K:BB across 82.1 innings through 15 outings. He's had some bad luck with getting wins, but he's putting himself in position for more if he can keep up the good work. With the Angels having just five games left before the All-Star break, Detmers may not start again until after the Midsummer Classic.

Manning (2-1) allowed four runs on five hits and struck out four without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win Sunday over the Rockies.

After walking four in his return from a fractured foot his last time out, Manning displayed better control Sunday. However, the Rockies were able to get the ball in the air well, with three of the four runs against Manning coming on sacrifice flies, though it certainly could have been worse. The right-hander now has a 4.84 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings through four starts this season. He's lined up to make his next start at home versus the Blue Jays.

Heaney allowed three hits and a walk while striking out eight over five scoreless innings, taking a no-decision in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Astros.

Heaney did his part to start the game, but the Rangers' bullpen was shaky over the final four frames. The veteran southpaw pitched to a 5.87 ERA over five starts in June following a strong end to May, so it was an encouraging first outing in July. Heaney has a 4.12 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 89:35 K:BB through 83 innings across 16 starts this season. He's projected to face the Nationals on the road in his next start.

Rodon (back/forearm) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday against the Cubs, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees have an open spot in their rotation Tuesday versus Baltimore, but Rodon lines up to pitch Friday given he made his last rehab start Saturday with High-A Hudson Valley. The right-hander threw 58 pitches in that outing, so he'll likely have some workload limitations in his Yankees debut.

Manager Alex Cora said after Sunday's win over the Blue Jays that Whitlock (elbow) will undergo an MRI on Monday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The right-hander lasted just one frame Sunday before being lifted due to right elbow tightness, which Cora indicated is presenting similarly to the elbow injury that kept him on the IL for most of May. It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old will require a trip to the shelf this time around, but the Red Sox could play it safe given he's scheduled for just one more start before the All-Star break.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over five innings against Minnesota. He struck out one.

Irvin has pitched better since he was recalled from Triple-A, working to a 3.44 ERA over his last 18.1 innings. The lone run against him Sunday came on Willi Castro's two-out double in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old Irvin is 1-3 with a 6.32 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB across 31.1 innings this season. He's currently in line for a rematch with the Twins in his next outing.

Gray did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing just two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Gray was excellent Sunday, holding the Orioles off the board for six innings. However, he'd fail to earn a win when Baltimore rallied for two runs in the eighth to hand Minnesota a 2-1 loss. After starting the year 4-0, Gray has failed to pick up a win in his last 11 starts despite pitching to a respectable 3.55 ERA in that span. Overall, Gray is 4-2 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 96:36 K:BB through 17 starts (93.2 innings) this season. He's lined up for a rematch with the Orioles at home in his next outing.

Muller was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Muller was recalled from Las Vegas on Saturday for his first big-league start in five weeks, and he'll return to the affiliate after he gave up three earned runs over five innings. The left-hander has a 7.79 ERA over 11 starts in the majors and a 6.59 ERA in six starts at Triple-A this season, so he shouldn't be on the fantasy radar even if he rejoins Oakland's rotation later this summer.

Cortes (shoulder) felt good during a bullpen session Friday and is slated to toss another one Monday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cortes tossed 20 pitches, most of which were fastballs and cutters, in Friday's session, which was his first since he went on the injured list June 8. The veteran hurler is trying to work his way back from a left rotator cuff strain. If Cortes continues to progress well, he could return to the Yankees rotation during the second half of July.