MLB Player News

Flexen did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings against Baltimore. He struck out three.

Flexen struggled out of the gate, allowing two doubles and a single while throwing a wild pitch that all resulted in two first-inning runs for the Orioles. Baltimore added another run in the third, but Flexen minimized the damage and escaped with his seventh quality start of the campaign. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's road matchup against the Astros.

Kluber (2-2) allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out four across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Rangers.

Kluber held the Rangers off the scoreboard until he surrendered a solo home run to Marcus Semien in the sixth inning. Though an eight-run outing against the Angels on May 10 bloats his overall line, Kluber has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts this season. He's particularly shown excellent control by surrendering only eight walks across 50.2 innings.

Cortes (5-1) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven across seven scoreless innings to earn the win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Cortes limited the typically powerful Angels lineup to one extra-base hit, and he has now allowed one or fewer earned runs in seven of his 10 starts on the season. Perhaps even more impressive has been Cortes' consistent ability to work deep into games, as he has completed seven or more innings in four of his last five outings. Cortes now owns a 1.50 ERA with a 68: 14 K:BB across 60 frames on the campaign.

Manoah (6-1) earned the win Thursday, striking out five in 7.2 innings while allowing three runs on six hits and a walk in an 8-3 victory over the White Sox.

Manoah cruised through the first seven innings, allowing just three singles and a walk and needing only 83 pitches to complete the frames. After retiring the first batter of the eighth, three of the next four White Sox hit safely and Manoah was replaced. The former West Virginia Mountaineer continues to impress in his sophomore season and has not allowed more than three runs in any of his 10 starts while pitching six innings or more in nine of those appearances. His next start will likely come in the middle of next week in Kansas City.

Cueto (0-2) picked up the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out five in six innings of an 8-3 defeat Thursday in Toronto.

Five of the seven hits against Cueto went for extra bases, including a two-run shot by Teoscar Hernandez. The home run was the first he's allowed in his 24.2 innings this season. The veteran has gone six innings or more in each of his four starts. After not allowing a run in his first two outings, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) in his last two times on the mound. He lines up for a tough matchup with the Dodgers next week.

Faedo allowed two runs on five hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over the Twins. He walked two and struck out five.

Detroit trailed 2-1 before rallying in the eighth inning, so Faedo was unable to earn his second win of the season. However, the 26-year-old still pitched well, which he's done consistently since making his MLB debut in early May. Faedo has gone at least five innings in all six of his starts and has allowed two runs or fewer in each outing as well. He'll carry a solid 3.09 ERA into his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Pirates.

Rodriguez has been shut down from throwing after being diagnosed with a strained right lat muscle, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old exited Wednesday's start for Triple-A Norfolk with right lat discomfort, and he's now expected to miss "a decent amount of time at a minimum," according to GM Mike Elias. The right-hander has a 2.09 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 80:14 K:BB over 56 innings this season and appeared to be on the cusp of his major-league debut, but Rodriguez -- who is arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball -- is now facing what could be a lengthy absence.

Ryu was placed on the 15-day injured list with left forearm inflammation Thursday.

Ryu was removed from Wednesday's start against the White Sox due to forearm tightness, and he'll land on the IL after undergoing further tests. The southpaw missed over a month earlier in the season due to forearm inflammation, but it's not yet clear how long he'll be sidelined during his current IL stint. Ross Stripling is expected to take Ryu's spot in the starting rotation.

Stripling is the most likely candidate to move into the Toronto rotation if Hyun Jin Ryu (forearm) requires a stint on the injured list, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Ryu lasted just four innings in his start Wednesday against the White Sox before departing with left forearm tightness. Stripling came on in long relief behind him and tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, so he would be lined up to fill in for Ryu if a replacement is needed when the Blue Jays next require a fifth starter Monday in Kansas City. For the time being, a decision hasn't been made on whether Ryu will need to go on the IL, as the Blue Jays will first evaluate the results of the MRI he underwent earlier Thursday. Stripling previously made five starts for Toronto earlier this season, logging a 4.29 ERA and striking out 18 over 21 innings in those outings.

Gray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain Thursday, retroactive to May 30, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Gray exited Sunday's start against the Royals due to a sore right pectoral, but he improved in recent days and played catch Wednesday. However, the right-hander will ultimately be forced to miss several turns through the rotation. It's a discouraging setback for the 32-year-old, who posted a 1.65 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 27.1 innings over five starts in May after returning from a hamstring injury. Yennier Cano was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, but it's not yet clear who will take Gray's place in the rotation.