MLB Player News

Garcia had his contract selected by the Tigers, and he will start Friday's game against the Rays.

The right-hander was previously announced as Detroit's starter for the contest, and he's now officially been added to the big-league roster. Garcia made his season debut in a spot start for the Tigers last week and was demoted after giving up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks across 3.2 innings July 29.

Brown's last six starts for Triple-A Sugar Land have seen him go 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB through 29 innings.

The strikeouts are always there for the 23-year-old fireballer, but the improved control he's shown lately -- a 2.7 BB/9 over that six-start span -- is key to Brown's eventual ascension to the big leagues. High walk rates have inflated his ratios in the minor leagues, but there's never been a question as to the quality of his raw stuff. This stretch might be enough for a promotion to the majors if Brown was with a different organization, but the Astros have no room in their rotation for now. He could in theory make an impact in 2022 as a multi-inning bullpen arm, similar to how Houston brought Cristian Javier along, but the team hasn't signaled any intention in that regard.

Toussaint pitched in long relief during Thursday's 8-7 loss to the Athletics, covering 4.1 innings and striking out six while allowing two earned runs on two hits and five walks.

According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, the Angels listed Toussaint as their starting pitcher for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader in Seattle, but that's likely off the table after he made a 85-pitch relief appearance two days before the scheduled start. The impromptu outing came about after starter Janson Junk lasted just 2.1 innings Thursday before departing, prompting the Angels to summon Toussaint out of the bullpen to provide length.

Cueto (4-5) took the loss during Thursday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Rangers, allowing three runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts in eight innings.

Cueto kept the ball in the zone all game with 76 of 106 pitches going for strikes and issued zero walks for the third time in 15 turns, though the 11 hits are the most the 36-year-old has surrendered. Still, he induced an impressive 12 swinging strikes and was only done in by a rough seventh inning that featured two runs and four singles with two failing to leave the infield. Despite the loss, Cueto still features a 2.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP and lines up to face off against Kansas City midweek.

Ragans didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 3-2 win against the White Sox, allowing an unearned run on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts in five innings.

Making his MLB debut, Ragans stranded the bases loaded in the first inning and kept the damage manageable in the next four frames, with one run coming across due to an Adolis Garcia error in the third. The 2016 first-round pick tossed 55 of 93 pitches for strikes but was able to record only seven called strikes, with Chicago fouling off 43.6 percent off his offerings in the strike zone. The other concerning factor was four walks in five frames, though he issued a reasonable 2.9 BB/9 across 94.2 innings in the minors this season. Ragans will be in for a tough test with a matchup against Houston on the dockett next week.

Junk (1-1) allowed six earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two across 2.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Athletics.

Junk got through two innings without any trouble, but he allowed six of the first seven batters he faced to reach base to begin the third frame to sour his outing quickly. He could remain in the rotation moving forward if the team opts for a six-man rotation, even after the Angles recently promoted Touki Toussaint and acquired Tucker Davidson at the trade deadline. Junk has pitched primarily at Triple-A Salt Late this season and has maintained an impressive 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 40:11 K:BB across 48.2 innings at the level.

Blackburn (7-6) allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Angels.

Blackburn allowed a home run in each of the first four innings, yet he still managed to earn his seventh win of the season. He has had a significant problem with the long ball across his last eight starts, serving up 12 homers in only 39.2 innings. Unsurprisingly, he has an 8.04 ERA in that span. Overall, Blackburn has a 4.28 ERA with an 89:30 K:BB across 111.1 frames on the season.

Bubic didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-3 victory over Boston, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeout in six innings.

Bubic was down 2-0 three batters into the game but rebounded to permit only two baserunners the rest of the way -- retiring nine straight at one point. The 24-year-old fired 62 of 89 pitches for strikes, with 10 of the swinging variety, and has now submitted quality starts in each of his last four turns, pitching to a 2.42 ERA across 26 innings during the stretch against strong AL East competition in the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays. The impressive performance of late has lowered Bubic's ERA from 6.63 to 5.27, while a 4.69 xFIP suggests more starts like Thursday's could be in store. He's currently scheduled to take the mound again midweek against the White Sox.

Gray allowed a hit and five walks while striking out five in five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Gray was a bit generous with the free passes -- he's walked three or more batters only three times in 16 starts this year. The Blue Jays weren't able to capitalize against the right-hander, but he was denied a chance at the win after reliever Emilio Pagan was tagged for three runs in the sixth inning. Gray has allowed just two runs across 16 innings in three starts since the All-Star break. For the season, he owns a 3.19 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 74:24 K:BB across 79 frames. He'll need to show better control in his next start, which is tentatively projected to be a road start versus the Dodgers next week.

Manoah (12-5) allowed two runs on two hits, four walks and a hit batter while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Thursday over the Twins.

Manoah matched his season high with the four walks, but he was able to keep the ball in the yard for just the second time in his last eight starts. The Blue Jays' offense made sure he left with a lead by rallying for three runs in the sixth inning. The 24-year-old right-hander has quality starts in four of his last five outings, and he owns a sharp 2.45 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 119:30 K:BB across 132 innings in 21 starts overall. Manoah is on track for a road start in Baltimore next week.