MLB Player News

Eflin (5-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings against the Yankees. He struck out nine.

Eflin was charged with four runs in the third inning on a pair of two-run homers from Oswaldo Cabrera and Anthony Rizzo. However, Eflin would eventually earn the win after the Rays scored five runs in the fifth and hung on for an 8-7 victory. The 29-year-old right-hander has now surrendered eight runs in his last two outings after allowing just seven runs in his first five starts this season. Eflin still sports a solid 3.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:5 K:BB through 40 innings on the campaign.

Schmidt (1-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

Schmidt had been solid in his previous two outings, allowing just two earned runs in his last 10.1 innings. He struggled Sunday, however, allowing a run in the first inning and another two in the third before the Rays posted a five spot in the fifth. Schmidt now has a 6.30 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP and 48:14 K:BB through nine starts (40 innings). The 27-year-old Schmidt may not stick in the Yankees' rotation for long with Luis Severino (lat) nearing a return.

Kluber (2-5) allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

Most of the damage against Kluber on Sunday came via the long ball, including Andrew Knizner's two-run shot in the fourth inning. Kluber was 2-0 in his last three starts after beginning the year 0-4 but found his way back to the loss column. His ERA rose to an ugly 6.41 with a 33:15 K:BB through eight starts. Kluber's next start is currently projected to be in San Diego.

Went allowed three runs on six hits across 2.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Mariners. He walked one and struck out three.

Wentz picked up his first win of the season in his last start but took a step backwards Sunday. It was the righty's second shortest outing of the year, as the Tigers decided to turn things over to their bullpen after seeing Wentz toss 59 pitches without having much success. Injuries have forced him to step into a rotation spot, though fantasy managers should avoid Wentz and his 6.38 ERA.

Sears allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.

Sears did well in this start aside from a two-run home run by Robbie Grossman in the first inning. Adolis Garcia also knocked an RBI single in the third, but the Athletics were briefly able to pull even in the seventh to get Sears off the hook. The southpaw now has a 5.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB through 42.2 innings across eight starts. He's lined up for a tough road start in Houston for his next time on the mound.

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.