MLB Player News

Means allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two in 6.2 innings in Sunday's win over the Nationals. He didn't factor into the decision.

Means loaded the bases in the first inning but allowed only one run during the frame, and he bounced back with four straight scoreless innings. However, he allowed a three-run homer with two outs in the sixth inning that put him in line for the loss. The southpaw was able to settle for a no-decision since the Orioles came back in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he's now given up nine runs in 11.2 innings across his two starts since he returned from the injured list. Means tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Detroit on Saturday.

German allowed one run on a hit and a walk while striking out 10 over seven-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Sunday.

German carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but he allowed a leadoff double to Alex Verdugo. Jonathan Loaisiga came on in relief and proceeded to melt down as the Red Sox rallied for five runs to deny German the win after a stellar start. The 28-year-old dropped his ERA to 4.45 with a 1.17 WHIP and 90:23 K:BB through 93 innings. He'll look to stay in good form next weekend in Miami.

Perez allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts in six innings in a no-decision versus the Yankees on Sunday.

While the southpaw was in the game, the Red Sox mustered all of one walk against Yankees starter Domingo German. Perez left in line for the loss, but the Red Sox's five-run rally in the eighth inning got him off the hook. It was the 30-year-old's first quality start since June 3 and also the first time he's completed six innings in that span. For the year, Perez has a 4.18 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 80:32 K:BB across 94.2 innings in 20 starts. He carries a 7-6 record into his next start, tentatively set for next weekend's series in Tampa Bay.

McKenzie allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus Tampa Bay on Sunday.

McKenzie was in line for a hard-luck loss after giving up a solo home run to Nelson Cruz in the sixth inning, but Cleveland pulled ahead in the eighth. The right-hander has had mixed results since he rejoined the big-league roster July 9. He's produced two quality starts in his last three outings but also struggled in a four-inning appearance versus Houston. He owns a 5.61 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 77:42 K:BB through 59.1 innings. McKenzie lines up to make his next start versus the White Sox next weekend.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Sale (elbow) will make his fourth minor-league rehab start July 31 at Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Sale will move up to the Red Sox's top affiliate after he completed a second straight start (and the third overall of his rehab assignment) at Double-A Portland on Sunday. He built up to 64 pitches (46 strikes) in the outing, covering 3.2 innings and punching out nine while giving up two runs on six hits and no walks. According to Smith, Sale's fastball topped out at 96 miles per hour during the start, and while he wasn't able to reach four or five innings in the start like the Red Sox had hoped, the fact that the lefty increased his pitch count while generating plenty of swinging strikes is a promising sign of his health. If Sale's velocity and command are on point in his start at Worcester, and if he's able to reach around 80 pitches, he could be cleared to make his 2021 debut for the Red Sox during the first week of August.

Bieber (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since mid-June, and he now won't be eligible to be activated until mid-August. Bieber began his throwing program last week, so the move to the 60-day IL is unlikely to significantly affect his return timeline. He remains without a clear recovery timetable but should continue ramping up his rehab work.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn't finalized his rotation plans for the upcoming week, but Cortes tentatively lines up to start Wednesday at Tampa Bay, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old surrendered three runs over two innings out of the bullpen Friday in his first appearance back from the injured list, and he's now slated to rejoin the rotation. It was the first time all season Cortes gave up multiple earned runs in an appearance, as he's been lights-out with a 1.95 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB over 27.2 innings this season.

Manoah (back) is scheduled to throw 60-to-75 pitches in a simulated game Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 23-year-old was previously expected to rejoin the rotation Monday, but he'll instead throw one more simulated game before potentially being activated. If all goes well in the sim game, Manoah could be back with Toronto to start Saturday's contest versus Kansas City.

Rodriguez (illness) is scheduled to start Thursday against the Blue Jays, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander was pulled from Friday's start against the Yankees after one inning due to migraine issues, but he's feeling better over the past couple days and is poised to start Thursday's series finale with Toronto. Rodriguez had been pitching better of late prior to Friday's brief showing with a 2.83 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 34:5 K:BB across his previous five starts (28.2 innings).

Schmidt (elbow) threw two simulated innings at the Yankees' complex in Florida on Wednesday and could be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment soon, per MLB.com.

The right-hander's first simulated session is said to have gone well, and the organization is now deciding whether to have him toss another sim game or to send him out on a rehab assignment. When he does get back into game action, his first outing is expected to cover three innings and 45 pitches. Schmidt hasn't pitched at all this season after suffering an elbow strain during spring training.