MLB Player News

Eflin (8-3) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings, taking the loss Saturday against the Padres.

Eflin pitched well enough to earn a quality start, but Blake Snell gave up even less in the pitchers' duel. This was Eflin's seventh quality start of the campaign, and he has yet to give up more than four runs in any outing, providing stability for the Rays' rotation. The veteran right-hander has a 3.26 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 77.1 innings through 13 starts on the season. He's lined up for a favorable home start versus the Royals next week.

Dunning (6-1) picked up the win Saturday, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out three.

The right-hander delivered his third quality start of the year on 89 pitches (61 strikes), as a three-run second inning by the Rangers gave Dunning all the support he needed. Since moving into the rotation at the beginning of May, he sports a 3.25 ERA and 28:14 K:BB through eight starts and 44.1 innings, and while he hasn't been dominant, he has done an excellent job of keeping the ball in the park -- Daulton Varsho's fourth-inning solo shot was only the fourth homer Dunning has served up in 2023. He's next set to take the mound next weekend, on the road against the Yankees.

Chirinos will start Sunday's game against San Diego, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos will get the ball after throwing 3.2 scoreless innings versus Oakland on Tuesday. The right-hander will get a chance to pick up a win and a few extra innings while not working behind an opener for Sunday's series finale against the Padres.

Gibson (8-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out seven.

Gibson did a good job of mixing up his pitches Saturday and struck out five of the first eight batters he faced. His biggest mistake on the day came in the form of a hanging sinker with two outs in the third, which Nico Hoerner ripped to center field to score Mike Tauchman and Miles Mastrobuoni and put the Orioles down 2-0. The right-hander later surrendered what would be the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly in the fifth, giving him his first loss since May 14. Gibson had won each of his last four decisions coming in (spanning five starts) and he's now struck out seven in two of his last three starts.

McCullers (forearm) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list by the Astros on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers is now officially off the 40-man roster, and the Astros used that room to acquire Joel Kuhnel from the Reds for cash considerations. McCullers is going to miss all of the 2023 season after undergoing a season-ending operation to repair a torn right flexor tendon, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign.

Giolito did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.

Giolito completed five innings for a fourth straight outing and has given up seven runs across 23 innings during that stretch. Aside from a horrendous performance versus the Pirates in April, the veteran right-hander has been strong this season, posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 81:25 K:BB over his other 13 appearances. Giolito will look to stay sharp next time out, which is tentatively scheduled as part of a three-game weekend set versus Boston.

Gilbert did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.1 innings against the White Sox. He struck out three.

Despite walking a season-high three batters, it was still a nice bounce-back effort for Gilbert, who surrendered six earned runs to the Angels last time out. The right-hander started the campaign strong, posting a 3.60 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 69:10 K:BB through his first 10 appearances (60 innings), but he's given up 14 earned runs across his past four starts (19.1 innings) while recording a modest 15:6 K:BB. Gilbert's next start is lined up for a matchup in Baltimore.

Bielak (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out three.

Bielak has allowed nine earned runs over back-to-back starts after giving up just 15 over his first seven outings combined. The right-hander has surrendered at least one home run in seven of his nine appearances, totaling 10 over 57.1 innings. Despite Bielak's struggles, he figures to remain in the rotation until Jose Urquidy (shoulder) or Luis Garcia (elbow) returns from the injured list.

Wentz (1-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over six innings against the Twins. He struck out nine.

Wentz had a perfect game going with one out in the fourth inning before walking Royce Lewis and then surrendering back-to-back singles to eventually put the Tigers down 2-0. Those would be the only two runs scored in the contest as the left-hander took another loss despite posting a season-high nine strikeouts. Wentz also went six innings Saturday for the first time since May 3 while issuing only one walk for the first time in three starts this month.

Canning did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings against the Royals. He struck out five.

Canning has four quality starts this year, and they've all come during his past five appearances. During that stretch, he's given up just nine earned runs across 30 innings while notching a 30:6 K:BB. The right-hander struggled to begin the year, posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over his first six starts (29.1 innings), but he's found a groove recently and will look to stay sharp in his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled as part of a three-game weekend set in Colorado.