MLB Player News

Heaney allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Sunday.

Heaney pitched well enough to win, but Jonathan Hernandez gave up a two-run home run to Shea Langeliers in the seventh inning to temporarily squander the lead. There's still some good to take from this outing for Heaney, who earned his fourth quality start in his last five appearances. He also avoided giving up a homer for the first time in four starts. The southpaw trimmed his ERA to 4.71 with a 1.19 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB across 42 innings through eight outings this season. He's projected to face the Rockies at home in his next start.

Varland (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cubs.

Varland faded a bit in the seventh inning, but it was another positive outing for the right-hander. He had no trouble earning his first win in four appearances this year as the Twins' offense racked up 16 runs in the contest. Through 23 innings, Varland has a 4.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB. With Tyler Mahle (elbow) done for the year and Kenta Maeda (triceps) not particularly close to a return, Varland should remain in the rotation for a road start versus the Angels.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and zero walks across four innings during a 6-5 win over Atlanta. He struck out seven.

Despite recording seven strikeouts, Kikuchi surrendered at least one run in each of his four innings, but he was let off the hook as the Blue Jays walked off Atlanta in the ninth. The left-hander has been a hit-or-miss player this season, allowing one or fewer earned runs in five of his eight starts while surrendering four or more in the other three outings. He'll look to get back on track during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game weekend set versus the Orioles.

Gibson (4-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings during a 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh. He struck out five.

Gibson struggled to find a rhythm Sunday and suffered his third straight loss. The right-hander has allowed at least four earned runs in four of his first nine starts with Baltimore and isn't striking enough batters out (36:16 K:BB over 52 innings). Gibson will look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the opener of a three-game weekend set in Toronto.

Manager Aaron Boone said Rodon (back) threw on flat ground from 60-to-75 feet Saturday and Sunday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old recently resumed taking part in physical activities and was quickly cleared to start up a throwing program. Rodon has been unable to pitch this season due to a forearm strain and chronic back issues, the latter of which he received a cortisone injection for in early May. The left-hander still has significant building up to do before progressing to game action, which likely means his return remains more than a month away.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Miller (elbow) is scheduled to received a second opinion Tuesday in Dallas from Dr. Keith Meister, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Miller was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with elbow inflammation, and the Athletics are hopeful that Meister will confirm the diagnosis when he examines the right-hander's forearm. Even if Miller receives good news, the 24-year-old rookie still looks like a good bet to miss more than the minimum 15 days, given that the Athletics aren't incentivized to rush one of their top pitching prospects back from an arm-related injury. Luis Medina and James Kaprielian entered the Oakland rotation during the past week, and each should maintain a starting role so long as Miller and Paul Blackburn (finger) are on the shelf.

Whitley (shoulder) gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four in four innings Saturday for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Shoulder discomfort resulted in a two-week gap between starts for Whitley, but he never landed on the minor-league injured list. The Astros' rotation depth has been tested early this season, and if Whitley can stay healthy while performing well, he could make his big-league debut this summer. The 6-foot-7 righty has lacked consistency while pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but he has gone at least four innings in all six appearances and has 26 strikeouts in 25 innings.

Lynch (shoulder) covered five innings and gave up two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two Friday in a rehab start for Triple-A Omaha.

In the third start of his rehab assignment and his second in a row at Omaha, Lynch built up to 73 pitches and threw 51 strikes. The Royals haven't outlined Lynch's next step, but based on his pitch count in addition to how he performed Friday, he looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list. He could be an option for the big-league rotation as soon as Wednesday's game in San Diego.

Oakland optioned Kaprielian to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Despite striking out seven while limiting the Rangers to three runs over seven innings in his spot start Saturday, Kaprielian will head back to the minors after Oakland called up right-hander Garrett Acton in a corresponding move. Based on his performance during his latest stint in the majors, Kaprielian could be first in line for a promotion the next time the Athletics require a starter.

Medina is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Oakland has yet to confirm whether it will maintain a six-man rotation heading into the upcoming week, but Medina will at least make a second consecutive start after he impressed in his return to the big leagues this past Thursday against the Rangers. While covering six innings, Medina struck out three and allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks. Considering that Medina owned a 7.43 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 16:15 K:BB across 13.1 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas, he'll be tough to trust to come through with another quality start Wednesday despite his respectable showing versus the Rangers.