MLB Player News

Hill (2-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out four in 5.2 innings to take the loss in Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Hill displayed improved results over his last two starts, striking out 11 while allowing three runs in 10.1 innings. Although he provided decent length during Thursday's start, he struggled to hold the Athletics' offense in check and was charged with his fourth loss of the season. The southpaw now has a 4.42 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 55 innings over his first 12 starts of the season. Hill projects to make his next start at home against the Tigers on Tuesday.

Blackburn (6-2) allowed a run on eight hits and two walks while striking out four in 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Red Sox on Thursday.

Blackburn has righted the ship over his last two starts, and he earned his first win since May 25 during Thursday's 4-3 victory. The right-hander has a lackluster 17.9 percent strikeout rate over his first 13 starts of the season, but he's posted a 2.31 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, both of which would be the best marks of his career. Blackburn tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Mariners on Wednesday.

Allard was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Allard spent just under two weeks on the major-league roster, and he allowed three runs in six innings over two outings while picking up a save during his time in the big leagues. The southpaw will head back to the minors after Jose Leclerc (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

German (shoulder) threw three innings of live batting practice Wednesday and has been cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

German had to face hitters once more prior to returning to game action in the minors, and he'll now be able to begin a rehab assignment after getting through his throwing session without any issues. The right-hander will likely require several rehab starts before returning from the injured list, and the Yankees plan to build him up as a starter during his time with a minor-league affiliate.

Severino, who was placed on the COVID-19 injured list rather than make his scheduled start Thursday, has not tested positive but is experiencing symptoms, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

He began experiencing fevers and chills Wednesday night but Severino is reportedly doing better Thursday. It's unclear if he's tested negative or if he just hadn't been tested at the time of Adler's report. It seems possible that Severino may be able make his start the next time through the rotation. Clarke Schmidt is starting a bullpen game Thursday.

Schmidt will start Thursday's game against the Rays after Luis Severino was placed on the COVID-19 injured list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

While Schmidt is well rested, having not pitched since June 10, he also hasn't thrown more than two innings since he covered 2.2 innings May 14. With this in mind, it will likely be a bullpen game for the Yankees, and Schmidt is unlikely to go deep enough to qualify for the win. He has a 3.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB in 19.1 innings through 11 appearances this year.

Severino was placed on the COVID-19 injured list shortly before Thursday's scheduled start against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

This news comes less than four hours before first pitch, and it's unclear how long Severino will be sidelined. Clarke Schmidt will get the start in what should amount to a bullpen game for the Yankees.

Wolf (undisclosed) has given up two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out six over seven innings in his two starts for Single-A Lynchburg since being activated from the 7-day injured list June 7.

Wolf was sidelined for the first two months of the season while recovering from an unspecified injury. The 21-year-old right-hander was part of the prospect haul that Cleveland received from the Mets in the January 2021 deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to Queens.

Civale (thigh) completed his second rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, striking out seven over 4.2 innings while giving up an unearned run on two hits, a walk and two hit batsmen.

Civale wasn't incredibly efficient -- he tossed only 46 of his 76 pitches for strikes -- but he did a good job of overwhelming hitters Wednesday, as 12 of the 13 outs he recorded came via punchouts or groundouts. The sizable workload along with the Guardians' decision to demote Konnor Pilkington to Triple-A on Thursday implies that Cleveland plans to have Civale return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start in the big leagues.

Whitley (elbow) struck out two over two innings and was charged with three earned runs on three hits and two walks in a rehab start Thursday with the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

Whitley's numbers are indicative of some rust, but that was to be expected after he hadn't made an appearance in affiliated ball since Sept. 2, 2019. Arm troubles prevented him from joining the Astros during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, and he missed the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March. Now 15 months removed from the procedure, Whitley should gradually work deeper into his rehab starts and ideally will show improved command before likely settling into the Triple-A Sugar Land rotation. The Astros will be careful to monitor Whitley's workload this season coming off surgery, so if he gets a call to the big leagues in 2022, he may be tasked with a relief role.