MLB Player News

Rodon (9-5) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 11 over five innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Saturday.

Rodon entered on a two-game losing skid and failed to pitch more than four innings in each loss. He was also suffering from reduced fastball velocity, so the White Sox gave him extended rest for this start. Pitching on eight days' rest, Rodon struck out the side in the first inning, using a fastball that reached 98.5 mph. It was a stark difference from his previous two starts, when the left-hander allowed runs in the first and second innings. Rodon's next turn in the rotation is due Thursday at home against the Yankees.

Keller (7-11) allowed five earned runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out five across five innings, taking the loss to the Cardinals on Saturday.

Keller continued his struggles walking batters, with his BB/9 rising to 4.4. He surrendered a home run to Nolan Arenado in the fifth inning. The 25-year-old has a career-worst 5.79 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP in 116.2 innings. In addition, he has a mediocre 1.8 K/BB. He will get another chance to start against the Cardinals next weekend.

Garcia (8-6) fired six scoreless innings on two hits while striking out eight, earning the win against the Twins on Saturday.

Garcia fired six scoreless innings for just the second time in a start this season. It was a solid comeback outing after allowing five earned runs in each of his last two appearances. The 24-year-old carries a 3.29 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. In addition, he supports a solid 10.9 K/9 in 106.2 innings. However, he will have to wait a while for his next start as the Astros have two days off next week.

Houck was returned to Triple-A Worcester following his start in Saturday's 2-1 win over Toronto, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. He didn't factor into the decision in the second game of the doubleheader, covering 3.2 innings and striking out six while giving up one run on three hits and two walks.

Since Boston designated Houck as it 27th man for the twin bill, he was removed from the active roster without a corresponding move. High pitch counts aside, Houck has undoubtedly been one of Boston's most effective starting pitchers since the All-Star break, so he'll likely be back with the big club at some point before the end of August to slot back into the rotation.

Berrios allowed one run on five hits and struck out six over six innings en route to a no-decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Berrios recorded his third consecutive quality start Saturday night, as he was his usual stellar self through six innings. The only stain on his outing came via a game-tying solo home run off the bat of Alex Verdugo in the sixth. Berrios didn't issue a walk to the Red Sox all night, as the Puerto Rican right-hander has now given just two free passes in his last four starts. Berrios has also been stingy with regard to earned runs, having allowed just one in his last three outings. He'll likely toe the rubber again Friday against the Mariners.

Houck allowed one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 3.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Houck struck out four of the first five batters he faced Saturday night, but he was bedeviled by a pitch count that got up to 74 through 3.2 innings. The only damage against his line came when Josh Taylor entered the game and gave up a single to Breyvic Valera that cashed one of Houck's runners. Even though the former Missouri Tiger has not gone deeper than the fifth in any of his five starts this season, he has struck out six or more batters in four of those five appearances. With Martin Perez's recent move to the bullpen and the struggles of Garrett Richards, Houck could feasibly stick around in the Boston rotation if he continues to pile up the punchouts. He could just as easily be jettisoned back to Triple-A Worcester to make room for a fresh arm after Saturday's doubleheader. Either way, his performances of late have given manager Alex Cora and crew a lot to think about.

Irvin (8-10) picked up the win in Saturday's 12-3 rout of the Rangers, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw served up a two-run shot to Adolis Garcia in the first inning but then shut down the Texas offense from there, firing 62 of 92 pitches for strikes before exiting. Irvin has delivered three quality starts in his last four outings and 12 in total on the season, and he'll take a 3.45 ERA and 94:24 K:BB through 130.1 innings into his next start.

Urquidy (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The bullpen session was Urquidy's first since he hit the injured list back in late June. It's an important step in the right direction, though he still has plenty of work to do before he's ready to return to game action.

Singer (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Singer recently made two rehab starts and had lackluster results, as he allowed seven runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two in 4.2 innings. However, he apparently felt good after each outing, and he's now with the Royals during their road trip in St. Louis. The team's medical staff will see how Singer's shoulder responds before determining when he'll return, but his activation appears to be imminent.

Manager Bob Melvin said Kaprielian (shoulder) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list to start Sunday against the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kaprielian hit the IL with right shoulder inflammation in late July, but the issue looks like it won't cost him more than one turn in the rotation. That's good news for the Athletics, as righty allowed six runs in his most recent start but had allowed no more than three runs in any of his previous eight outings and owns a 3.24 ERA on the year.