MLB Player News

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Twins, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Once again, the southpaw's inability to keep the ball in the park kept him from dominating -- Michael Taylor's two-run blast in the fifth inning put the Jays in a 2-0 hole, and Kikuchi exited the game in line for his third loss before his offense got him off the hook. The 31-year-old has served up 18 homers on the year -- tied with the Royals' Jordan Lyles for the most in the league -- and things have only gotten worse for Kikuchi as the weather has warmed up, as he's been taken deep 10 times in 28.2 innings over his last six starts. His fortunes may not improve in his next outing either, as he lines up for a road start next week against Baltimore and noted Jays-killer Ryan Mountcastle, who has three homers in nine career at-bats against Kikuchi.

Gray didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander made a relatively early exit, as 76 pitches represented his smallest workload of the season, but Gray still put himself in line for his fifth win of the year with a solid performance. Unfortunately for him, the Twins bullpen couldn't protect a 2-1 lead. Gray still has yet to give up more than three runs in any 2023 outing, and his 2.25 ERA ranks in the top five in the league among qualified pitchers. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Tigers.

Whitlock (3-2) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over 6.1 innings against the Yankees. He struck out six.

Whitlock turned in his best performance of the year thus far, working into the seventh inning before being pulled after 88 pitches. Whitlock produced an impressive 18 swinging strikes on the night, while his only blemish came on a solo home run in the sixth inning. If the young hurler can manage to stay healthy, he will remain an integral part of the Red Sox rotation for the remainder of the season with Corey Kluber having been relegated to the bullpen.

Cole (7-1) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings against the Red Sox. He struck out six.

In his 14th start of the season, Cole took his first loss despite allowing just two runs. The loss was his first in the regular season since Aug. 31 of last year. After seven straight starts without allowing a home run to begin the season, the veteran right-hander has struggled with the long ball of late, giving up nine over his last seven games. Cole will carry a solid 2.84 ERA into his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Mets.

Wells (5-2) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 6.2 innings against Kansas City. He struck out four.

Wells won his second straight decision and was able to work through a weak Kansas City lineup with relative ease, allowing just one extra-base hit before being pulled with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. The 28-year-old has allowed two earned runs or less in five of his last seven starts and sports a pristine 3.24 ERA on the year. He has quickly become a major asset in a Baltimore rotation desperate for quality innings. Wells is scheduled to face the Blue Jays at home next week.

Castillo (4-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out 10 over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Angels.

This was Castillo's second 10-strikeout effort of the season, both of which have come in his last three starts. He also gave up multiple home runs for the second time this year, and the five runs allowed were the second-highest total he's given up. All in all, it was a middling performance for the Mariners' ace, who now has a 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 92:17 K:BB through 76.2 innings across 13 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Marlins next week.

Lynch (0-2) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out four.

Lynch made his third start of the season Friday after missing almost two months due to a strained left shoulder he suffered in the spring. The southpaw threw 58 of his 88 pitches for strikes while inducing an impressive 15 swinging strikes on the evening. Lynch has now gone at least five innings in all three of his starts, and he has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any outing. He is tentatively lined up to face the Reds next week.

Medina (1-5) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over the Brewers.

Coming on after opener Sam Moll's scoreless first inning, Medina allowed two runs in the second followed by four shutout frames. The two runs were the fewest given up by Medina in any outing this season. He now holds a 7.53 ERA and 32:17 K:BB through 34.2 frames. The 24-year-old righty is currently lined up to face the Rays at home next week, though it's unclear how the team will deploy him.

Cease yielded one run on four hits and two walks over six frames in Friday's win over Miami. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Cease rolled through four shutout frames before coughing up a solo homer in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old has been shaky all season but has allowed just two runs over 11.1 innings in his last two starts. He's given up three or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, posting a 2.94 ERA during that span. Cease is now sporting a 4.38 ERA and an 81:34 K:BB through 74 innings. He's projected to face the Dodgers on the road next week.

Sale was diagnosed Friday with a stress reaction in his left scapula, Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican reports.

The injury to the scapula -- which is more commonly referred to as the shoulder blade -- won't require surgery, but Sale will be shut down for at least 3-to-4 weeks. The veteran southpaw was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier Friday, a transaction that means he won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 2.