MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said following Saturday's loss to the Yankees that Greinke was removed after just four innings (65 pitches) because of right shoulder soreness, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. The right-hander fanned three while allowing one run on three hits and one walk.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Greinke's shoulder has been bothering him for about a month, so the club planned to make it a short outing for the right-hander prior to the beginning of the contest. Greinke didn't rule out the possibility of the issue impacting his usage following the All-Star break, though he noted that "it's not the worst thing" he's pitched through. The 37-year-old's post-break status should become clearer at some point toward the middle or end of next week, as he tentatively lines up to pitch July 19 against Cleveland.

Kaprielian allowed two runs on four hits and four walks in five innings of a no-decision Saturday against Texas. He struck out four.

Kaprielian wasn't particularly efficient, allowing eight baserunners and throwing just 48 of his 87 pitches for strikes, but he did settle in after allowing back-to-back homers in the first inning and got through five complete innings for his seventh consecutive start. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start during that stretch, lowering his ERA to 2.90 in 62 innings for the season. Kaprielian is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home against the Angels.

Stripling fell to 3-5 on the season Saturday against the Rays, allowing four runs on four hits in 3.2 innings. He struck out five batters while walking two.

The Rays got to Stripling right away, with Brandon Lowe hitting a solo shot in the first inning. They added three more runs in the fourth inning on a solo shot from Mike Zunino and a two-run blast from Lowe. Stripling has now allowed 1.9 HR/9 on the season after allowing 2.4 HR/9 last year.

Sale (elbow) will throw a two-inning simulated game Saturday, Matt Vautour of MassLive.com reports.

Sale's sim game will take place in Fort Myers (Fla.), and the team will evaluate him Sunday before determining the left-hander's next step. If all goes well, Sale could make a rehab start, possibly for Triple-A Worcester, toward the end of next week.

Lyles (5-5) picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the A's, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty tossed 61 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth straight quality start and eighth of the season. Despite the recent run of success, Lyles will still carry a lackluster 4.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB through 96.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Irvin (6-9) took the loss Friday as the A's were downed 3-2 by the Rangers, giving up three runs on three hits over five-plus innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The lefty took a shutout into the sixth inning, but Irvin got the hook after the first four Texas batters reached base on three singles and a hit by pitch, and Sergio Romo then allowed two of those inherited runners to score. Irvin has been one of the big surprises of the first half in the American League, and the 27-year-old will take a 3.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 78:19 K:BB through 106 innings into the All-Star break.

McClanahan didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.

In a matchup of exciting young hurlers (Alek Manoah and McClanahan), neither pitcher lasted until the fifth inning. Tampa Bay's rookie lefty tossed 58 of 91 pitches for strikes in an inefficient outing, but he did strike out at least five batters for the fourth straight start. McClanahan will take a 4.05 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB through his first 60 big-league innings into the All-Star break.

Manoah (2-1) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays fell 7-1 to the Rays, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out nine.

The rookie flashed his dominance as nine of his 11 outs came via strikeout, but Manoah had trouble finding the zone regularly -- he threw 48 of 88 pitches for strikes before exiting -- and also plunked two more batters, giving him four HBP through his first 40.1 big-league innings. Despite a few bumpy outings, he'll take a 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 52:15 K:BB into the All-Star break.

Gonzales did not factor in the decision against the Angels on Friday, hurling 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three.

Gonzales gave up a single run in each of the first three innings before settling down through the remainder of his outing. He nearly notched a quality start but was pulled from the contest after allowing runners on the corners with two outs in the sixth. Gonzales has now gone eight straight starts without earning a win, though he has given up three or fewer runs in six of those appearances. His overall 5.88 ERA and 1.46 WHIP on the season aren't pretty, though, and his mediocre 7.8 K/9 makes him hard to hold onto in fantasy leagues despite the solid numbers he put up in 2020.

Cobb pitched 5.1 innings against Seattle on Friday, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander needed 97 pitches to get 16 outs, but he may have emerged from the appearance unscathed on the scoreboard if not for a two-out, fourth-inning error that ultimately led to two runs crossing the plate. Cobb induced only six swinging strikes yet managed to strike out five. Since yielding six runs across four frames against Tampa Bay on June 26, he has allowed only one earned run across two starts covering 13 innings. He heads into the All-Star break with a 4.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and career-best 10.1 K/9.