MLB Player News

Houck saved Tuesday's 2-1 win against the Astros, tossing 1.2 perfect innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Houck was brought in with two on and one out in the bottom of the eighth and escaped the jam on just four pitches, then delivered a 1-2-3 frame in the ninth for his second save in as many days. Manager Alex Cora's use of the 26-year-old for consecutive saves cements his status as Boston's primary closer after Garret Whitlock picked up two saves at the end of July. Houck possesses a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 56 strikeouts in 60 innings, with eight saves in 32 appearances.

Giolito (7-6) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over five innings, earning the win Tuesday over the Royals.

The White Sox established an early lead and Giolito was able to make it stick. He had some trouble in the third inning, which resulted in him needing 94 pitches (64 strikes) to get through five frames. The right-hander hasn't pitched deeper than that in three starts since the All-Star break. He has a 5.06 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 115:39 K:BB across 101.1 innings in 19 starts this year. Giolito is expected to start on the road against the Rangers this weekend.

Crawford (3-3) earned the win during Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Houston, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts in six innings.

Crawford surrendered his lone run on consecutive hits to lead off the bottom of the first inning, but he was able to quiet Houston's potent offense thereafter, retiring seven straight Astros at one point. The 26-year-old induced a solid 12 swinging strikes on 94 pitches en route to striking out six for the fourth time in his last six games. During that span, Crawford has pitched to a 2.38 ERA across 34 innings while facing top-tier competition in the Yankees, Blue Jays, Guardians and Rays twice. He carries a 4.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP into his next start, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against Kansas City.

Manning allowed three runs on five hits across five innings and did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Twins. He walked four and struck out one.

Manning struggled with his control and allowed plenty of baserunners, but the Twins weren't ever fully able to break through. The righty was making his first start since April 16 and was held to 78 pitches, but he should be able to build up his pitch count moving forward. Manning has looked solid in his small sample this year and should still factor into the Tigers' future plans, particularly if he can finish the season on a positive note. The 24-year-old is tentatively lined up to take the mound again Sunday against the Rays.

Rasmussen (6-4) took the loss Tuesday against Toronto, allowing a run on six hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings.

Rasmussen allowed a two-out RBI single in the first inning and then held Toronto scoreless the rest of the way. Since returning from a hamstring injury at the beginning of July, he's allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his six starts, compiling a 2.38 ERA and 24:9 K:BB while allowing just one long ball in 30.1 innings in that span. His 88.1 innings on the season represent a career high in any professional season.

Gausman (8-8) earned the win Tuesday in Tampa Bay, striking out 10 in eight scoreless innings while allowing a hit, a walk and a hit batsman.

Gausman held Tampa Bay hitless through the first five innings, retiring 14 in a row at one point. The lone single he allowed was quickly erased on a double-play groundball. After giving up eight runs in his last 9.2 innings, Tuesday's start was arguably his best outing as a Blue Jay. He continues to dominate on the road and has a 2.02 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 69:10 K:BB in 58 innings outside of Canada.

McKenzie (7-8) took the loss Tuesday against Arizona, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in six innings.

McKenzie got off to a rough start, allowing the first four batters to reach safely including a three-run homer by Christian Walker. He then settled down and retired 10 straight batters before getting knocked around for two more runs in the fifth. After giving up just one run combined in his first four starts in July, the 25-year-old has allowed four earned runs in consecutive starts. With 120 innings on the season, he's matched last year's big-league total.

Guarate was traded from the Cardinals to the Athletics on Tuesday in exchange for Austin Allen.

Guarate has spent the season with Single-A Palm Beach, where he hasn't particularly impressed. In 12 starts and seven relief appearances, he owns a 4.18 ERA and a modest 18.3 percent strikeout rate.

Gray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained left oblique Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander suffered the injury during Monday's start against the Orioles and is now poised to miss the rest of August. Depending on his recovery, Gray may not get back stretched back out to a full workload if he's even able to return before the end of the regular season.

Martin was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Martin made one appearance after being recalled July 29, but he will head back to the minors for the time being. Having already been called up several times already this season, Martin could be back with the big club before the campaign comes to a close.