MLB Player News

Ray (9-8) earned the win during Tuesday's 8-2 victory over the Angels, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts in six innings.

Ray surrendered two early runs to fall behind, but the Mariners scored three in the sixth and added insurance in the ninth to put Ray back above .500 on the season. The 30-year-old has opened August strong with a 2.32 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 19.1 innings across three starts, though walks remain a problem, as he issued multiple free passes for the fourth straight turn. Ray carries a 3.87 ERA and 1.20 WHIP into his next start, slated for next week against Washington.

Arihara (0-1) allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six in 5.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Arihara replaced Spencer Howard (shoulder) in the rotation, but the former couldn't take advantage of an easy matchup Tuesday. Arihara allowed one run in each of the first three innings, with Sean Murphy taking him deep for a solo shot in the third. In 10 starts with the Rangers last year, Arihara had a 6.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 2.4 HR/9. He'll need to work on command and keeping the ball down to find more success in the majors this year. Should he stick in the rotation, the 30-year-old right-hander would be in line for a road start in Minnesota this weekend.

Sears (4-0) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out two over five scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Rangers.

Sears fared better in his second start for the Athletics, keeping the Rangers quiet. He threw 76 pitches (47 strikes) in this start, earning his first win with Oakland after being included in the return from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas trade. Sears has logged a 1.95 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings through nine appearances (four starts) between the two teams this year. The 26-year-old southpaw should stick in the rotation after Paul Blackburn (finger) was ruled out for the year Tuesday. Sears is projected to make his next start at home versus the Mariners this weekend.

Greinke (4-8) took the loss Tuesday versus the Twins. He allowed three runs (one earned) on nine hits and struck out five without walking a batter in six innings.

Greinke's allowed nine hits in each of his last two starts, but he's been effective with damage control. Unfortunately for the right-hander, the Royals' offense mustered only five hits and one walk without generating a run in a lopsided loss Tuesday. Greinke now has a 4.13 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 62:20 K:BB through 104.2 innings across 20 starts this year. He's lined up for a tough road start versus the Rays this weekend.

Gray (7-3) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out 10 over six shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Royals.

Gray racked up double-digit strikeouts for just the second time this season. It was also his sixth start out of 18 without allowing the opponent to score. The right-hander hadn't completed six frames in any of his last three starts, but he was able to take advantage of a favorable matchup. Gray owns a 3.11 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 89:27 K:BB through 89.2 innings this season. He's projected for two starts next week if the Twins' rotation stays on turn -- the first lines up as a home outing versus the Rangers.

Cortes (9-4) took the defeat Tuesday against Tampa Bay, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out three in seven innings.

All three runs against Cortes came in the first inning as he allowed singles to the first two batters and then a three-run homer to Randy Arozarena with one out. He didn't allow another hit until the sixth inning, retiring 20 of the last 21 batters he faced. The lefty has allowed three runs or fewer in six straight starts, compiling a 2.72 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 36.1 innings over that span.

Springs (5-3) earned the victory Tuesday against the Yankees, striking out four in five innings while allowing a run on two hits and a walk.

Springs shut down the Yankees, Andrew Benintendi aside -- Benintendi accounted for both hits against Springs, a single in the second and a triple in the fifth. The lefty recorded 10 groundouts and fanned Aaron Judge both times he faced him. Springs was removed after tossing 78 pitches. His 89.1 innings this year are double his next-highest total in a season at the big-league level.

Lorenzen (shoulder) threw 45 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Tuesday and will next report to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin a rehab assignment, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander progressed to throwing bullpen sessions last week and has now been cleared for game action in the minors. Lorenzen is eligible to be activated from the 60-day IL in early September and is expected to make two rehab starts before rejoining the big-league rotation.

Blackburn was diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon sheath in his right middle finger Tuesday and will wear a splint for the next six weeks, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn was ruled out for the rest of the season earlier Tuesday, and the specifics of the injury, which was previously diagnosed as inflammation, are now known. At this point the 29-year-old is expected to avoid surgery, but he will be re-evaluated in three weeks. Blackburn had a breakout during the first couple months of 2022 and finishes the campaign with a 4.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 89:30 K:BB across 111.1 innings.

Blackburn will be shut down for the rest of the season after visiting a specialist for inflammation in his right middle finger Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 29-year-old landed on the shelf after posting a 2.26 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 71.2 innings over his first 13 starts of the season to earn a trip to the All-Star Game. However, he had a 7.94 ERA across his past eight starts before moving to the injured list last week. It's not known if he'll require surgery or whether he's expected to be ready for the start of spring training next year.