MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Rodon (back/forearm) will throw another live batting practice session Thursday before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

On Sunday, Rodon was able to face hitters for the second time since opening the season on the injured list with a left forearm strain before then experiencing chronic back issues. He seems to be moving past both injuries, as he hasn't experienced any setbacks since restarting his throwing program around mid-May. Assuming Rodon gets through the upcoming live session no worse for the wear, he could start pitching in minor-league games by the early part of next week. He'll likely require at least three rehab starts or simulated games to get stretched out enough to join the Yankees rotation.

Blackburn did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk over six scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over Milwaukee. He struck out five.

Blackburn completed a season-high six innings and notched his first scoreless appearance of the year. The 29-year-old's 2023 debut was delayed due to a finger injury, so he's made only three starts thus far with mixed results. He held Atlanta's offense to just one run on four hits over four innings and struck out a season-high six, but he fell flat versus Miami, giving up five runs with a 3:2 K:BB across five innings, before his dominating outing versus Milwaukee on Saturday. Blackburn will look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a four-game set versus Tampa Bay.

Irvin (1-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits across 5.1 innings in a 6-1 victory over the Royals. He struck out five and didn't issue a walk.

Irvin posted an ugly 10.66 ERA across three starts (12.2 innings) before being optioned to Triple-A in mid-April. He was recalled briefly in mid-May but made just one bullpen appearance before being sent down again. The left-hander was performing well in the minors, so he got another chance at the big-league level Saturday and looked sharp, albeit versus the Royals' lackluster offense. Given the strong outing, Irvin figures to get another turn in the Orioles' rotation and is slated to pitch again during a three-game weekend set at Wrigley Field.

Wentz will serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Will Vest in Sunday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

After making each of his previous 12 appearances as a starter, Wentz will be deployed out of the bullpen for the first time this season. Wentz hasn't completed more than five innings in an outing since May 8 and holds a 7.49 ERA on the season. While coming on in relief should improve his chances of factoring into a decision, Wentz's poor ratios this season make him an unreliable streaming option.

Singer (4-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

Singer was coming off the best outing of his season (5.2 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts versus Colorado), but he struggled to maintain that success Saturday. It was the seventh time this year that the 26-year-old has allowed at least four runs, and he boasts an ugly 6.58 ERA overall. It's been a disappointing start to 2023 for Singer, who finished last year with a 3.23 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 150:35 K:BB across 153.1 innings (all career-best marks). He has shown signs of finding his 2022 form, finishing at least five innings while giving up two or fewer runs six times, but there hasn't been any consistency from the right-hander yet.

Kopech did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five hits and one walk over five scoreless innings against the Marlins. He struck out six.

It wasn't an ideal start to the contest for Kopech, as the right-hander beaned the first two hitters he faced to open the game. However, he quickly shook it off and proceeded to strike out the side to get himself out of trouble. Despite shutting out the Marlins over five innings, Kopech was still hit with a no-decision for the second straight start while lowering his ERA to 4.03 on the season. He's now allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, averaging 8.1 strikeouts per game over that stretch.

McKenzie (0-1) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

McKenzie dazzled in his season debut against Minnesota last Sunday, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 batters over five scoreless innings. He looked far more mortal Saturday, surrendering three runs in the first frame and two more in the fourth en route to the loss. On the plus side, McKenzie missed plenty of bats in inducing 15 swinging strikes, so there's evidence to suggest that his previous start wasn't a mirage. The right-hander is tentatively lined up for a road start in Arizona his next time out.

France (2-1) picked up the win against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and six walks while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

France allowed 11 batters to reach base through six frames, but he managed to yield just one run thanks largely to three double plays behind him. The right-hander finally succumbed to the onslaught of baserunners when he was charged with two runs in the seventh, but the Astros' offense gave him enough of a cushion to allow him to end up in the win column. France's six walks doubled his previous career-high mark, and he threw just 56 of 105 pitches for strikes, so this wasn't the typical stat line of a pitcher who picks up a quality start. Still, France should be commended for getting big outs when needed, and he's now given up three or fewer earned runs in five of his first seven MLB outings.

Ryan didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander delivered his 10th quality start of the season on 84 pitches (56 strikes), but Ryan exited the game in line for his fourth loss before Minnesota's bats came alive in the late innings. He'll take a 2.90 ERA and 84:15 K:BB through 77.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come at home next weekend against the Tigers.

Bradley (4-3) took the loss against Texas on Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings.

This was the shortest outing through eight big-league starts for Bradley, who came into the contest having allowed just two earned runs over his previous 10.2 frames. The right-hander was largely responsible for his own demise Saturday, as he walked a season-high four batters, three of whom came around to score. Bradley issued just five free passes across his first 30 innings, but he's walked seven over his subsequent 8.2 frames, and it may be critical to his sustained success that he's able to regain good control. However, Saturday's rough outing probably isn't reason to panic, as it came across a tough Texas squad that leads MLB in scoring on the season.