MLB Player News

The Tigers don't expect Manning to pitch for Triple-A Toledo during the All-Star break, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Contrary to initial reports, Manning's demotion was simply to add a bullpen arm in Derek Holland for the last two games before the break. Having pitched Friday, Manning was going to be unavailable Saturday and Sunday anyway.

Maeda yielded two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings in Friday's win over Detroit. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Maeda never let a runner reach scoring position in Friday's outing. He's now tossed 11 shutout frames over his last two starts after he was crushed for seven runs June 29 against the White Sox. The 33-year-old righty is sporting a 4.66 ERA and a 71:23 K:BB on the year. He'll get back on the mound after the All-Star break.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo following Friday's 4-2 loss to the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The righty took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks in five innings of work. Manning also struck out three batters. It was a solid effort after he failed to complete four innings in consecutive outings, but his big-league ERA through five starts is a rough 6.95. Manning was sent down to make a start with the Triple-A club during the All-Star break.

Keller allowed a run on four hits and four walks while striking out nine over 7.2 innings in a no-decision versus Cleveland on Friday.

This was Keller's best start of the year even though he issued four or more free passes for the sixth time in his last 10 outings. Despite his strong work on the mound, the right-hander exited with the game tied at 1-1, assuring he'd go a seventh straight start without a win. The 25-year-old now has a 5.97 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 83:48 K:BB across 95 innings. He'll look to take some positive momentum into the second half of the season, although he'll likely need to trim his 4.5 BB/9 rate to find more success.

McKenzie allowed one hit and one walk while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus Kansas City on Friday.

This was McKenzie's longest start of the season at any level, but he was unlucky to not come away with a win after Emmanuel Clase couldn't protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning. Strong outings have been a rarity for McKenzie this year. The right-hander owns a 5.47 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 68:40 K:BB across 49.1 innings at the major-league level. It's unclear if he'll remain in the rotation after the All-Star break -- that will likely depend on the readiness of Shane Bieber (shoulder) or Aaron Civale (finger) to return from the injured list.

Keuchel (7-3) allowed one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out three in seven innings Friday, earning the win in a 12-1 victory over the Orioles.

A Ramon Urias home run in the second inning proved to be the only blemish in a fine performance from the veteran lefty. Keuchel needed a strong outing after yielding seven runs to Detroit in four innings his last time out. Inconsistency has plagued his season and led to a 4.25 ERA through 18 games, although impressive run support like he received Friday has fueled a sizable win total. Keuchel will make his next start after the All-Star break.

Matz is available to pitch out of the bullpen this weekend, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Matz was squeezed out of the rotation plans this weekend in Tampa Bay following Thursday's postponement, so he'll be available to pitch as a reliever with the All-Star break coming next week. If he doesn't take the mound, the lefty will finish the first half with a 4.72 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 82:21 K:BB across 76.1 innings. He should rejoin the rotation coming out of the break.

McKenzie was officially recalled from Triple-A Columbus ahead of his start Friday against the Royals, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Cleveland announced Thursday that McKenzie would take the ball Friday, and now the club has made room for him on the 26-man roster by optioning Sam Hentges to Columbus. McKenzie made 11 appearances (10 starts) in the majors earlier this season, posting a shaky 6.38 ERA and 59:39 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Ray is scheduled to start the Blue Jays' series finale in Tampa Bay on Sunday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Ray was initially lined up to make his final start of the first half Saturday, but he'll be pushed back a day in the pitching schedule after Thursday's game against the Orioles was postponed due to inclement weather. The Blue Jays plan to go with Alek Manoah, Ross Stripling and Ray as their starters for the series in Tampa Bay, resulting in Steven Matz missing out on his second start of the week. With a 3.36 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 119:23 K:BB across his 16 starts this season, Ray has a compelling case to be named an alternate in the All-Star Game next week if the American League needs to replace a pitcher.

Skubal (5-8) lost Thursday's 5-3 game at the hands of the Twins, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in six innings.

Skubal had only surrendered two runs through six innings but permitted a game-tying Miguel Sano home run to begin the seventh, then he gave up a single and error before departing. The latter two runners eventually scored and Skubal was saddled with the loss despite the quality start, his first in eight turns.