MLB Player News

Ragans allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three and hitting a batter over two innings for Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

It was a predictable outcome for a pitcher making his first start at the Double-A level. Ragans was promoted from High-A Hickory over the weekend after appearing in the All-Star Futures Game last week. The left-hander has overcome two Tommy John elbow surgeries and, prior to this season, hadn't pitched competitively since 2017.

Springs (5-1) was credited with the win in Sunday's victory over Atlanta, allowing a hit over two-thirds of an inning.

The veteran left-hander was called on for the second straight game and came through once more, firing eight of 10 pitches for strikes to close out the sixth inning. Springs then became the pitcher of record when the Rays launched a four-run comeback in the top of the seventh, giving him his first win since May 24. The 28-year-old now has three straight scoreless efforts as well, keeping his fantasy value strong in the nascent stages of the second half.

Hill didn't factor into the decision during a win over Atlanta on Sunday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The veteran left-hander was far from sharp and needed 83 pitches to record just 12 outs before getting the hook. After an excellent first two months of the season, Hill has now given up multiple earned runs in four of his last six starts, pitching to a 5.22 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 2.1 HR/9 over the 29.1 innings encompassing the entirety of that span. Having dropped two straight decisions, Hill will look to bounce back in a road start against Cleveland either Friday or Saturday.

Perez (7-6) lost Sunday's 9-1 game to the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four innings.

Perez's first mistake of the game came on a Gleyber Torres solo shot in the second and he allowed a single run in both the third and fifth innings on two hits allowed. He's averaging just over 4.1 innings pitched in 20 starts this season and is yet to reach 100 pitches in any game, though Perez has now allowed three runs or less in six straight starts.

Taillon (5-4) won Sunday's 9-1 game with Boston, pitching 5.1 scoreless innings and permitting four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Taillon held a powerful Boston lineup at bay all game, only encountering trouble in the fourth and sixth innings when he allowed runners to reach second and third with one out, but New York was able to escape both jams unscathed. The win is Taillon's fourth in his last five starts and he hasn't lost since May 31, an eight-start stretch that's seen his ERA improve to 4.60.

Bassitt (10-3) allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out eight across seven innings, taking the loss to Cleveland on Sunday.

Bassitt surrendered a first inning homer to Bradley Zimmer and another one in the seventh to Daniel Johnson to lose the game. Despite the loss, it was his fourth quality start in his last five appearances. The 32-year-old has a 3.31 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP, leading the Athletics with 10 wins. His 125 innings pitched are second-most in all of baseball, trailing Zack Wheeler's 125.2. His next start is scheduled for Saturday in Seattle.

German is listed as the Yankees' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

German will be pitching on three days' rest after he made a relief appearance in Friday's 4-0 loss to the Red Sox, but because he only tossed one inning (17 pitches), it was comparable to a between-starts bullpen session. As such, German shouldn't face any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday as he steps back into the rotation.

The Astros list Greinke (shoulder) as their probable starter for Monday's game against Cleveland, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.

Houston excluded Greinke from the pitching schedule in its first series of the second half this weekend against the White Sox after he contended with right shoulder soreness during his final start before the All-Star break July 10 against the Yankees. After getting some extended rest and completing a bullpen session this weekend without issue, Greinke isn't expected to face any restrictions Monday as he returns to the mound. Greinke finished the first half with an 8-3 record, 3.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 6.6 K/9 over 19 starts.

Valdez (5-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over 6.1 innings to take the loss to the White Sox on Sunday.

Valdez had the unenviable task of dueling with Carlos Rodon, who one-hit the Astros over seven sterling innings. For Valdez, it was an encouraging outing after the left-hander walked 13 batters over the final 16 innings of the first half. That run made him examine his mechanics during the All-Star break, and he concluded that he was rushing his delivery in an effort to be perfect on each pitch, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. Valdez threw 64 of his 97 pitches for strikes and induced a lot of weak contact, but Rodon was not going to be beat Sunday. Valdez lines up to pitch next Saturday at home against the Rangers.

Sandoval (2-4) took the loss Sunday against Seattle, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk with nine strikeouts.

The 24-year-old went seven innings and threw 114 pitches, both career highs, but was undone by a pair of home runs, including a three-run shot by Ty France in the fifth inning that broke the game open. Sandoval has flashed dominant stuff in 2021 and has fanned 51 hitters over his last seven starts dating back to the start of June. He owns a 3.86 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with a 68:25 K:BB across 63 innings overall this season.