MLB Player News

Gray did not factor in the decision against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five batters.

Gray gave up a pair of runs in the second inning but was staked to a lead when Minnesota scored four times between the third and fifth frames. The veteran right-hander couldn't capitalize on the support, however, surrendering two runs in the bottom of the fifth before getting pulled with two outs. It was the first time Gray has failed to complete five innings in four starts and also marked the first time he's given up more than one run over that stretch. His 3.33 ERA and 1.15 WHIP on the season are solid, but Gray is on pace to strike out less than a batter an inning for the first time since 2018.

Verlander pitched six innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Verlander returned to earth Wednesday, allowing more than one earned run for the first time in eight starts. The Rangers scratched two runs across in the top of the fourth and a sacrifice fly by Leody Taveras in the sixth frame provided the final tally against Verlander. The 39-year-old was able to extend his quality-start streak to eight consecutive outings, producing an absurd 1.17 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 53 strikeouts over 53.2 innings during that stretch. His season numbers now sit at a 1.85 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 134 punchouts over 136 frames in 21 outings.

Bubic tossed 5.2 innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Bubic pitched five scoreless frames before the wheels fell off in the sixth inning, a development that was only partly his fault. After Bubic allowed the White Sox to load the bases with one out in the inning, two runs came around to score due to a fielding error by Michael Massey on what could have been an inning-ending double play. Another baserunner subsequently crossed the plate with two outs in the frame and Bubic was removed from the game. He fell one out shy of a fifth consecutive quality start. Over the left-hander's last five starts, he's posted a 2.27 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 26 strikeouts over 31.2 innings.

Cueto pitched six innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out four in Wednesday's loss to the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Cueto was not his sharpest Wednesday, allowing the Royals to reach base 10 times, but he was able to hang in there for a quality start. The right-hander allowed one run in the bottom of the third before two more runs came around to score in the sixth frame. Cueto has now produced eight straight quality starts, though he has allowed 20 hits over 14 innings in his last two starts. He now owns a 2.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 68 strikeouts over 102 frames in 16 outings this season.

Civale pitched four innings, allowing two runs on three hits while hitting a batter and striking out four in Wednesday's win over the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Civale returned to the mound Wednesday after missing almost a month while nursing a wrist injury, limiting the Tigers to just four baserunners. Both runs he surrendered came in the bottom of the fourth inning with Harold Castro and Eric Haase driving them in. Civale was limited to 62 pitches in the outing and will likely face a pitch limit for at least a couple more starts moving forward. After starting off the season cold, Civale has produced a very solid 3.24 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 33.1 innings in his last seven outings.

Ray allowed two earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out seven across 6.1 innings Wednesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Ray was effective from a run suppression standpoint, allowing only a two-run home run to Kyle Higashioka. However, he lost control of his pitches for most of his start and has now walked 11 batters across the 16 innings covering his last three starts, although he still has a 3.94 ERA in that span. For the season, Ray has a 3.90 ERA with a 156:49 K:BB across 136 frames.

Battenfield will have his contract selected by the Guardians ahead of Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old will receive his first big-league promotion Friday with James Karinchak unable to travel to Canada for the three-game series in Toronto this weekend since he's unvaccinated. Battenfield was acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline last year and has a 3.19 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 79:41 K:BB across 121.1 innings (12 starts) with Triple-A Columbus this season.

Cortes allowed three earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 10 across six innings Wednesday against the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision.

Cortes fell apart late in the start, as he began with 5.1 scoreless frames. Nevertheless, he struck out double-digit batters for the first time in 14 starts -- dating back to May 15 -- and also tallied his third quality start in his last five outings. Cortes has maintained an excellent 2.67 ERA and 125:29 K:BB across 118 innings for the season.

Sears allowed two earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings Wednesday against the Angels. He did not factor into the decision.

Sears was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to the start and made his debut with the Athletics. He faced a subpar Angels lineup, and the only earned runs charged to him came after he exited the game with runners on first and second. Sears should have the chance to stick in the rotation after Paul Blackburn (finger) was placed on the injured list Wednesday. Across 27.1 frames this season, Sears has maintained a 2.30 ERA and an 18:5 K:BB in appearances split between the Yankees and Athletics.

Toussaint allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six across five scoreless innings Wednesday against the Athletics. He did not factor into the decision.

Toussaint has thrown at least four innings in each of his last two outings, but Wednesday marked his first official start. He took advantage of the opportunity, holding the Athletics to only two singles and two walks while generating nine swinging strikes on 71 total pitches. Toussaint has walked nine batters across 13.1 innings in the big leagues this season, but he has otherwise made a strong case to stick in the Angels' rotation moving forward.