MLB Player News

Cease did not factor into the decision Monday against the Astros, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.

Cease surrendered an early RBI-single by Isaac Paredes in the first inning before settling into a groove, retiring 13 consecutive batters at one point while piling up seven strikeouts during the stretch. The right-hander ran into trouble in the sixth, issuing back-to-back walks and then allowing an RBI single to Jose Altuve that ultimately ended his night. Cease's swing-and-miss stuff remained electric, as he recorded his eighth consecutive outing with at least seven strikeouts. Since the beginning of May, the 30-year-old has posted a 2.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 61:14 K:BB across 41.2 innings. He is slated to face off against Texas at home next.

Brown did not factor into the decision Monday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings.

The right-hander threw 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes but struggled to consistently find the zone, issuing two walks and plunking two batters. His lone run allowed came via Kazuma Okamoto, who led off the second inning with a solo homer. Despite lasting only three innings, Brown did not appear to be working under any workload limitations, as his pitch count suggests Houston is willing to let him work through trouble. Through two starts since returning, he has allowed just two runs across 8.2 innings while posting an 11:5 K:BB. Brown is scheduled to make his next start on the road against Detroit.

Wacha (5-5) notched the win Monday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on six hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out five.

Wacha continues to give the Royals plenty of length, tossing at least six frames in three consecutive starts and eight of his last 10. The 34-year-old right-hander has also pitched at least five innings in all of his 15 outings this year, racking up 11 quality starts already. Wacha will try to further improve on a steady 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 77:29 K:BB over a league-high 101 innings in his next scheduled outing on the road against the division-rival White Sox.

Rasmussen (6-4) took the loss Monday against Kansas City, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Rasmussen continues to deal during the month of June, posting a 1.00 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 34:3 K:BB across his last 27 innings (four starts). Additionally, the 30-year-old right-hander has now logged nine quality starts among 15 appearances on the campaign and worked at least six frames in four consecutive outings. Rasmussen will take a stellar 2.62 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB across 86 innings into his next scheduled start at home against Arizona.

Gonzales agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Padres released Gonzales last week after he posted a 7.99 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB over 47.1 innings at Triple-A El Paso. The 34-year-old lefty had previously spent parts of 10 seasons in the majors before missing the entirety of the 2025 campaign following flexor tendon surgery. Gonzales will give the Rangers some experienced rotation depth, presumably at Triple-A Round Rock.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Scherzer (back) checked out well after throwing a bullpen session Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After developing back spasms, Scherzer was scratched ahead of his scheduled start last Wednesday and placed on the injured list, but the Blue Jays have expressed hope that the veteran righty would be ready to return in close to the minimum 15 days. While Scherzer's ability to get back on a mound without issue seemingly supports the Blue Jays' optimism, he'll still likely need to make it through a few more throwing sessions before Toronto pencils him back into the rotation. The 41-year-old has made just six starts for the big club this season after previously spending time on the shelf due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.

Flaherty (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Erie on Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Flaherty landed on the 15-day injured list a little over a week ago with a left peroneal strain, but he's been cleared for games after throwing a successful bullpen session over the weekend. The right-hander could require just the one rehab outing before rejoining the Detroit rotation. Flaherty has collected a 5.35 ERA and 78:34 K:BB over 65.2 innings covering 15 starts this season.

Bubic (elbow/shoulder) threw a two-up bullpen Sunday, per MLB.com.

Working back from left elbow soreness, Bubic suffered a setback after experiencing shoulder discomfort following a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on June 9. The southpaw underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage to either his elbow or shoulder, an encouraging development that has allowed him to resume building back up. Having now completed a bullpen session, the 28-year-old could restart his rehab assignment soon, provided he doesn't experience any renewed discomfort. Before being shelved, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

Rocker will serve in a bulk-relief role for the Rangers during Monday's game against the Marlins, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Rocker's best outing this season came as a bulk reliever May 19 in Colorado, when he struck out seven over 7.2 shutout innings. Tyler Alexander was the opener in that contest, and the Rangers will work with the same setup Monday as Alexander takes the ball first in the series lid-lifter.

Javier (shoulder) struck out five and allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks across 4.2 innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Javier's control wasn't on point during Sunday's start -- the fourth of his rehab assignment -- but he was able to build up to 75 pitches (43 strikes) and looks ready to return from the 60-day injured list from a workload standpoint. He'll presumably join the Astros on their road trip this week and throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday before likely slotting back into the big-league rotation this weekend in Detroit. Javier, who has been on the shelf since April 10 due to a Grade 2 right shoulder strain, posted a 6.17 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 11.2 innings over his four starts between Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi.