MLB Player News

Lyles (5-6) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and three walks over four innings in a 10-2 defeat at the hands of the Blue Jays. He struck out three.

It was a rough way to begin the second half for Lyles, who tossed only 53 of 95 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. The veteran righty had reeled off four straight quality starts before the All-Star break, but that's been his only real stretch of sustained success this season. He'll carry a 5.20 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 79:33 K:BB through 100.1 innings into his next outing.

Heaney (5-7) allowed four earned runs on six hits while striking out four across four innings, taking the loss to the Mariners on Friday.

Heaney surrendered a two-run homer to Kyle Seager as a part of a three-run third inning. The 30-year-old has struggled in his last five starts, going 1-4 with a 8.49 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 23.1 innings. His current 5.56 ERA is set to be his worst career ERA in any season that he pitched at least 30 innings. The southpaw will look to turn the tide in his next start Thursday in Minnesota.

Flexen (9-3) allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out two across seven innings to earn the win over the Angels on Friday.

Flexen's only damage was a second-inning solo home run off the bat of Max Stassi. Other than that, it was another great performance against the Halos, as he's allowed just four runs against them in 18 innings over three appearances this season. Over his last six starts, Flexen is 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. He has lowered his season ERA to 3.35 and his nine wins have him tied for third-most in the American League. The only downfall right now is his low 5.9 K/9.

Cease (7-5) suffered the loss against Houston on Friday, tossing 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10.

There are many things to like about the right-hander's performance -- he fell one out shy of a quality start and notched double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time this season -- but the effort nonetheless resulted in Cease's fifth loss. Still, he has enjoyed a strong fantasy campaign thus far, particularly in the strikeout department. After posting a paltry 6.8 K/9 in 2020, Cease has registered 127 punchouts in 97.2 frames this season. He'll carry a 4.15 ERA into his next start, which is expected to come at home against Minnesota on Wednesday.

McCullers (7-2) earned the win over the White Sox on Friday, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 10.

McCullers fell behind early when Chicago tallied a first-inning run, but that was all the right-hander gave up. He threw 94 pitches across seven frames and finished with a season-high 10 strikeouts. McCullers has yielded three or fewer earned runs in all but one of his 15 starts this season, resulting in a solid 2.80 overall ERA. His next start is likely to come at home versus Cleveland next week.

German allowed a hit in a scoreless inning during Friday's 4-0 loss to Boston.

German was initially projected to start Thursday before that contest was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Instead of pushing him back a day, the Yankees elected to start Jordan Montgomery. Friday was the third time in 18 appearances German has worked in a relief role. The right-hander has a 4.39 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB across 82 innings overall. It's unclear when he'll next be available to make a start.

Montgomery (3-5) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four in six innings, taking the loss versus Boston on Friday.

Four of the five baserunners Montgomery allowed got aboard in the second inning, which is also when he gave up all three runs. He still managed to produce his third quality start in his last four outings, although he took a fourth straight loss. The southpaw has been solid with a 4.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 99:30 K:BB through 99 innings this season. He lines up for a rematch in Boston next week.

Houck earned a save in Friday's 4-0 win over the Yankees, pitching three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and a walk while striking out three.

The right-hander dealt with a sore right flexor muscle at Triple-A Worcester for a month, but he worked as a starter prior to his call-up. Houck previously made three appearances (two starts) with the Red Sox in April, but it's expected he'll take on a versatile role while with the big club. The 25-year-old is tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday versus the Blue Jays. He has a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB across 13.1 major-league innings this year.

Rodriguez (7-5) earned the win Friday versus the Yankees. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight in 5.2 scoreless innings.

Rodriguez wasn't overly efficient, throwing 57 of his 97 pitches for strikes, but a depleted Yankees lineup couldn't get anything going against him. The southpaw lowered his ERA to 5.19 with a 1.33 WHIP and 112:23 K:BB across 95.1 innings this year. He projects to make his next start at home in a rematch versus the Yankees next week.

Bieber (shoulder) has done work with heavy balls but has yet to resume normal throwing, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Bieber has been on the injured list since mid-June with a right shoulder strain. It sounds like he could resume playing catch with a baseball in the near future, but until then, it will be hard to outline a concrete return timeline. Bieber seems unlikely to be activated until the final few days of July at the earliest.