MLB Player News

Sale (5-2) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Diamondbacks.

Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports Sale had been dealing with a stomach bug this week, which explains why he was limited to 73 pitches (44 strikes). While it wasn't a long outing, it was effective, marking the fourth time Sale's limited an opponent to one run this season. The veteran southpaw has trimmed his ERA to 4.72 with a 1.16 WHIP and 65:14 K:BB through 55.1 innings over 10 starts. He should be fully recovered by the time he next takes the mound, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home versus the Reds.

Kaprielian (0-5) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to take the loss Friday versus the Astros.

Kaprielian held his own in Houston in his last start, but he had less luck at home this time around. He's given up nine runs (eight earned) over 17 innings since he rejoined the Athletics' rotation. That's still notably better than his 8.45 ERA and 1.88 WHIP on the season, but it may not be enough to maintain a rotation spot once Paul Blackburn (finger) is activated from the injured list. If Kaprielian gets another start, it would likely come in a somewhat favorable road matchup in Miami next week.

Gausman (3-3) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks over 5.1 innings against the Twins. He struck out eight.

Gausman has rebounded nicely since coughing up eight runs in 3.1 innings against Boston on May 4. Since then, he has given up just five runs over 26.1 innings. The veteran right-hander also ranks second in the league with 89 strikeouts.

Brown (5-1) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Friday.

The 10 strikeouts were a season high for Brown, who also completed seven innings for the fourth time in 10 starts. The one downside was that he allowed his fourth home run in as many outings. Brown trimmed his ERA to 3.12 with a 1.20 WHIP and 66:18 K:BB through 57.2 innings. He's lined up for a home start versus the Twins next week.

Bieber (4-3) allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over 6.2 innings Friday, striking out two and earning a win over St. Louis.

It certainly wasn't Bieber's strongest outing, but he kept the Cardinals off the board through five innings before stumbling a bit near the end of his start. He's now allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of his first 11 starts this season, resulting in a 3.04 ERA across 71 innings. However, he's posted a pedestrian 49:19 K:BB after recording a season-low two punchouts Friday. Bieber's next start is projected to come next week in Minnesota.

Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the Yankees on Friday.

Vasquez gave up two runs over 4.2 innings while striking out six and issuing three walks in his MLB debut in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Padres. With Domingo German due to return from his 10-game suspension during the upcoming week, the Yankees didn't need Vasquez to stick around to make any additional starts. The 24-year-old could still be the next man up to join the big club the next time the Yankees need an additional arm in the rotation.

Vasquez (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Friday. He struck out six and took a loss against the Padres.

The 24-year-old worked through four shutout frames before coughing up a two-run homer to Juan Soto in the fifth. Vasquez primarily relied on a cutter/sinker combination while touching 96 mph on his fastball. He'll likely head back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after this spot start, where he's registered a 4.85 ERA across 42.2 frames.

Rodriguez (2-2) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on six hits and three walks over 3.1 frames Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against Texas.

Rodriguez coughed up three home runs Friday, including a Corey Seager grand slam in the fourth inning that bounced him from the contest. Over his last five starts, Rodriguez has allowed a whopping 27 runs and 11 home runs, raising his season ERA from 4.07 to 7.35 through 45.1 innings. It's hard to find a silver lining in Friday's start, but the rookie's 13 swinging strikes marked the first time he recorded double-digit whiffs since April 29. Rodriguez will look to snap out of the funk in his next start, which lines up to be a home matchup against the Guardians.

Gray (5-1) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over Baltimore.

After allowing a solo homer to Adley Rutschman in the first inning, Gray was nearly untouchable. He cruised through seven frames en route to a dominant 12-2 Rangers victory. Gray's been lights out over his last four starts, yielding just three runs with a 27:5 K:BB in 27 frames while earning a win in each outing. The veteran righty lowered his season ERA to 2.81 and has won five consecutive decisions since losing his season debut. Gray is currently projected for a matchup in Detroit next week.

Whitlock will start Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock will make a return to the rotation after missing over a month with ulnar neuritis in his right forearm. The right-hander has struggled to a 6.19 ERA over his three starts in 2023, but his previous success suggests that he can be an effective fantasy option in the coming months. There is some risk that comes with starting him in his first outing back, but there's plenty of reward potential that comes with it.