MLB Player News

Blackburn pitched 6.1 scoreless innings against Seattle on Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out five. He did not factor in the decision.

Blackburn stranded three runners in scoring position over the first two innings before settling in and retiring 14 straight batters. The right-hander was pulled while ahead by a run with one out and one on in the seventh, but he had to settle for a no-decision when the Mariners tied the score in the following frame. This was Blackburn's first quality start since June 10 and only his second such performance over his past nine outings. He's slowed down a bit after a remarkable start to the campaign, but the veteran still has a strong 2.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 67:22 K:BB over 87 frames overall.

Rasmussen (hamstring) did not factor into the decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

In his return from the injured list, Rasmussen did fairly well to keep the Blue Jays' high-powered offense at bay. However, he issued two walks in the fifth inning and manager Kevin Cash would not let Rasmussen face Bo Bichette a third time. With that, Rasmussen fell short of qualifying for the win, but he should be available to add to his workload gradually in his subsequent starts after throwing 68 pitches (41 strikes) Saturday.

Civale (2-5) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in six-plus innings, taking the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Civale received one run of support in the first inning. The Yankees covered that when Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton went back-to-back in the fourth, and they added some more production in the seventh after Civale put two on with no outs. Enyel De Los Santos couldn't stop the rally, taking away Civale's chance at a quality start. The 27-year-old has struggled mightily this year with a 7.04 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB through 46 innings across 10 starts. He's given up home runs at a 1.6 per nine innings rate, while his velocity is down just a bit at 90.8 mph. He lines up for a road start in Kansas City next week.

Cortes (7-3) allowed a run on three hits and no walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Guardians.

Cortes gave up a solo home run to Amed Rosario in the first inning and just a pair of singles in his last five frames. This was the first time in a month that Cortes has completed six innings after a shaky June saw him post a 4.15 ERA in 26 innings across five starts. The southpaw has a 2.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 91:19 K:BB in 85 innings through 15 starts overall, and he's projected for a road start in Boston next week.

Cease (7-3) registered the win during Saturday's 5-3 victory over San Francisco, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in five innings.

Cease's lone run surrendered came on his second pitch as LaMonte Wade took him 424-feet deep to right center, but he proceeded to navigate five scoreless frames thereafter despite traffic on the bases in every inning. The 26-year-old induced a whopping 19 swinging strikes on 104 pitches, but tied his second lowest total of the season with only four strikeouts and still ranks second in the league with 125. On the other hand, the three free passes added to his league-leading total of 40 through 86 innings. Cease has allowed just two earned runs (and 10 more unearned runs) over 39.1 innings across his last seven starts and will look to keep things rolling against Detroit midweek.

Bubic registered a no-decision during Saturday's 4-3 loss to Detroit, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Bubic started slowly with one run permitted on three baserunners in the first inning but rebounded well to get through the next three frames relatively easily. He then surrendered another run on three baserunners in the fifth and departed with two runners on that were neutralized when reliever Jose Cuas retired Willi Castro to end the inning. The 24-year-old has now pitched fewer than five innings in seven of 11 starts and is averaging under four innings per start. Bubic's 5.56 FIP and 4.81 xFIP suggest his 7.06 ERA stands to improve, though his 1.87 WHIP ranks fourth worst among the 248 pitchers who have thrown at least 30 innings. He's currently scheduled to oppose Houston midweek for his next start.

Cole (7-2) earned the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings against the Guardians. He struck out six.

All of the damage against Cole came in the second inning when Josh Naylor and Franmil Reyes went back-to-back. Cole was excellent otherwise, and he now has his ERA back below 3.00 for the season (2.99). The right-hander has 11 quality starts in his last 13 turns, and around the June 9 hiccup when he allowed five homers, Cole has pitched like a fantasy ace.

McClanahan (9-3) earned the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 6-2 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out 10.

Fans in Rogers Centre were robbed of a potentially great pitchers' duel, as Kevin Gausman left in the second inning after taking a comebacker off his ankle. Casey Lawrence entered in relief and was no match for McClanahan, who got 19 called strikes and 18 swinging strikes on 94 pitches. McClanahan now sits with a 1.74 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, and is arguably the frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award at roughly the midway point of the season.

Hill (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The results of Hill's MRI have not been disclosed, so the extent to which he injured his left knee in Friday's game remains uncertain. His initial diagnosis was a left knee sprain. Phillips Valdez was recalled to take Hill's spot on the active roster for the time being.

Hill (knee) said Saturday that he's awaiting the results of an MRI, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Hill was removed from Friday's game against the Cubs due to a left knee sprain, and his MRI should help determine the extent of the issue. The southpaw isn't sure whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, but he compared his current injury to an MCL issue that forced him to miss a month in 2019.