MLB Player News

Singer (4-6) took the loss Friday versus the Angels, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings.

Singer wasn't all that effective, but the Royals' lack of offense didn't help his cause. He's failed to complete six innings in each of his last five starts, pitching to a 4.88 ERA over 24 innings in that span. That's actually an improvement on his season mark of 6.33, which comes with an uninspiring 1.61 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB over 69.2 innings across 14 starts. There aren't any better options knocking down the door, as the Royals' rotation owns a 5.44 ERA collectively this year, ranking 27th in the majors. Singer is projected for a road start in Detroit his next time out.

Watkins was recalled by the Orioles on Saturday.

Watkins has thrown 160 innings at the big-league level, struggling to a 5.85 ERA while striking out just 13.7 percent of opposing batters. His 7.27 ERA and 20:17 K:BB in 26 Triple-A innings this season hardly inspire confidence, so it's unlikely he'll be seen in anything other than a low-leverage relief role. Reed Garrett was optioned in a corresponding move.

France (2-2) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three across 6.2 innings to take the loss against the Reds on Friday.

France kept pace with counterpart Andrew Abbott for much of the game but ultimately allowed a two-run blast to Tyler Stephenson in the seventh inning. France has worked deep into his starts of late, completing at least six innings in each of his last four appearances. In that span, he's maintained a 3.42 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while posting a 20:11 K:BB across 26.1 frames.

German (4-4) took the loss Friday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over two innings in a 15-5 loss against the Red Sox. He struck out one.

German held Boston to just one run across six innings during his last start, but the Red Sox got to him early and often Friday. The seven earned runs were a season-worst mark for the right-hander, who now holds a 4.30 ERA over 13 appearances (69 innings). His 1.09 WHIP and 65:23 K:BB suggest German has ran into a bit of bad luck, but the issue appears to be his consistency, as he hasn't been able to string together more than two quality starts in a row before succumbing to a blowup outing like Friday.

Gray (blister) is listed as the Rangers' scheduled starter for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays at Globe Life Field.

Gray's last turn was skipped due to a blister, but it was deemed to be a minor issue. The right-hander has been dominant since early May, going 5-1 and pitching to a 0.84 ERA over 43 innings (six starts) including a complete game June 7.

Perez (6-3) took the loss Friday, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings as the Rangers were downed 2-1 to the Blue Jays. He struck out three.

The veteran southpaw made only one real mistake, but Danny Jansen ripped it over the left-field wall in the fifth inning for a two-run shot. The quality start was Perez's sixth of the season, but he's also been prone to meltdowns lately, coughing up at least six runs in three of eight outings since the beginning of May -- a stretch in which he carries a 6.18 ERA. 1.58 WHIP and 28:17 K:BB through 43.2 innings. He'll try to avoid another collapse in his next start, likely to come next week on the road against the White Sox.

Gausman (6-3) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 2-1 victory over the Rangers. He struck out four.

While the veteran right-hander wasn't as dominant as he's capable of being, Gausman was just as stingy as he reeled off his 11th quality start in 15 trips to the mound, tying him for second in the majors in QS behind Marcus Stroman's 13. Gausman has won four straight decisions over his last five outings, posting a 2.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB through 29.2 innings over that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is likely to come on the road next week in Miami.

Kopech allowed a run on six hits and six walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Kopech wasn't punished much for the free passes, but it did work his pitch count up to 102 (57 strikes) for just 13 outs. The six walks matched a season high for the right-hander, who has a 4.5 BB/9 on the year. Despite the control issues, he's pitched to a reasonable 3.92 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 89 strikeouts over 78 innings across 14 starts. He's allowed just seven runs over his last six starts, so he'll try to keep up the solid pitching next week in a challenging home start versus the Rangers.

Woo allowed two runs on three hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Friday.

Woo was sharp, though two of the three hits he allowed were solo home runs by Gavin Sheets and Andrew Benintendi. After a rough debut, Woo has turned in a couple of reasonably solid starts with 16 strikeouts over his past 10.1 innings. He's still at a 7.30 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 12.1 innings, but his 20:2 K:BB is a positive sign that he has the control to hang around in the majors. He'll remain in search of his first win next week in a projected road start versus the Yankees.

Toussaint (0-1) took the loss Friday versus the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings.

Toussaint threw 43 of 82 pitches for strikes in his first major-league start of the campaign. He's primarily worked as a multi-inning reliever with Triple-A Columbus, where he has a 4.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:23 K:BB over 37.2 innings. The lofty walk rate appears to have followed him to the majors. Toussaint was a fill-in for Triston McKenzie (elbow) in this game, but it's unclear what the Guardians might do if that spot in their rotation has a vacancy. In addition to Toussaint, Xzavion Curry -- who allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over 1.2 innings Friday -- or top prospect Gavin Williams could be options to start if McKenzie ends up on the injured list. That spot in the rotation is next due up for a home start versus the Athletics next week.