MLB Player News

Taillon allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings in Sunday's loss to the Astros. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Taillon was in line for his fourth consecutive win before the Yankees' bullpen melted down in the ninth inning. The only damage against him came via the long ball; he allowed a pair of solo homers to Martin Maldonado and Kyle Tucker. He's now allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts, bringing his ERA down to 4.90 through 17 starts. Taillon hasn't been hit with a loss since May 31.

Wells (2-1) was tagged with the loss in relief Sunday against the White Sox after allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and a walk across two innings. He struck out four.

Wells entered the game with one out to go in the eighth and fired a scoreless ninth while fanning three of the first four batters he faced, but the wheels came off in the 10th inning. The right-hander walked Yoan Moncada and retired two batters in a row before allowing Adam Engel to blast a three-run shot that would eventually decide the game for Chicago. Wells has now given up five runs over his last two outings, and his ERA has risen to 4.10 as a result. He had recorded five straight scoreless appearances prior to his last two outings.

Watkins didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the White Sox after allowing one run on four hits and three walks across 4.1 innings, fanning four.

The rookie right-hander has made just two starts and three appearances during his rookie campaign, and while the sample size is small, he's allowed just one run in each of his two starts and sports a 1.74 ERA through 10.1 innings. He'll likely come back down to earth a bit eventually, especially since he posted a 3.58 ERA in the minors before being promoted, but so far, he has done enough to remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Cease didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Orioles after giving up two runs on two hits and two walks while fanning six across five innings.

Cease has struck out at least six in each of his last four outings while also giving up two or fewer runs in three of them, so the flame-throwing righty has been providing value with his punchouts. Cease has been a bit inconsistent when it comes to allowing runs and owns a 4.11 ERA on the season, but he has also struck out 117 across 92 innings.

Sale (elbow) is scheduled to throw a two-inning rehab assignment Thursday with the Red Sox's Florida Complex League affiliate, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

The lefty appeared set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester during the upcoming week after he tossed a successful simulated game Saturday, but the Red Sox want him to make his 2021 debut in affiliated ball near the team's spring training facility. Assuming Thursday's outing goes well, Sale should begin his assignment at Worcester shortly after the Red Sox reconvene following the All-Star break. Sale is expected to need at least three or four rehab assignments to build up his innings count before the Red Sox sign off on him returning from the 60-day injured list. He could be ready to join Boston around mid-August.

Hill (6-4) took the loss Sunday versus Toronto. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings.

The southpaw gave up a solo home run to Danny Jansen in the third inning, and Toronto was able to scrape together another pair of runs in the fourth. That was enough to stick Hill with the loss, running his winless streak to three starts. The 41-year-old closes the first half of the season with a 3.74 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB across 91.1 innings.

Ray (7-4) threw seven shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out 11 to earn the win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The southpaw has been solid for much of the season, but he turned it up to dominance Sunday. The only hit Ray allowed was a Yandy Diaz double in the seventh inning. This was also Ray's fifth start with double-digit strikeouts this year. The 29-year-old has a 3.13 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 130:24 K:BB across 100.2 innings, his best ratios 2017. He projects to get a start in next weekend's three-game series versus Texas to open the second half of the season.

Kikuchi was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi recently displayed a symptom of the virus, but he's fully vaccinated and has already produced one negative test result. If he can test negative once more in the coming days, he should be in the clear to participate in his first All-Star Game on Tuesday. The lefty enters the break with a 6-4 record and a 3.48 ERA in 98.1 innings.

Severino (elbow) tossed a couple bullpen sessions within the last week and his next step will be facing live hitters, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Severino has thrown a number of bullpen sessions early in July. It's not clear exactly when he will progress to face live hitters, but the team has stated that he is trending in the right direction. Severino could begin a lengthy rehab assignment soon.

Quantrill (1-2) earned the win Saturday against the Royals after allowing three hits on five hits and a walk across six innings, striking out one.

Aside from earning his first win of the season, Quantrill also picked up his first quality start for the first time in 2021. His strikeout numbers are still far from acceptable, with a 4.1 K/9 over his last five appearances while posting a 6.00 ERA across that same stretch, but he found a way to get the job done here. That said, he's still far from being a reliable asset in most fantasy formats since he struggles to pitch deep into games and doesn't strike out a ton of guys.