MLB Player News

Garcia (6-4) earned the win Thursday after holding the Tigers to two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out five across seven innings.

Doubles proved to be the enemy this time, allowing each of Garcia's runs to score. The right-hander gave up an RBI double to Akil Baddoo in the third frame and an RBI double to Daz Cameron in the sixth in an otherwise strong performance. Garcia has now allowed two or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts, lowering his ERA to 2.83 and his WHIP to 1.10 across 76.1 innings. The 24-year-old is projected to take the mound again at home Wednesday against Baltimore.

Wacha tossed five innings of one-hit ball, walking two with seven strikeouts in Thursday's 1-0 win over Boston. He did not factor into the decision.

Wacha went head-to-head with Nick Pivetta in a terrific pitching duel, holding the Rays without a hit until Christian Vazquez singled with two out in the fifth inning. Wacha struck out Bobby Dalbec one batter later to end the inning and departed in a scoreless tie. It was a nice bounce-back effort for Wacha, who was rocked by Seattle for 11 hits and five earned runs over 3.2 innings in his previous start. Through 13 outings (11 starts) this season, Wacha is 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB in 48.1 innings.

Kremer (0-7) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Blue Jays after surrendering six runs while recording one out. He gave up two hits and five walks without registering a strikeout.

After walking the bases loaded to start things off, Kremer allowed his fourth batter to reach with an RBI single. He did manage to get Randal Grichuk to ground out, causing another run, but it only got worse from there. Cavan Biggio walked, and Lourdes Gurriel capitalized with a grand slam. Kremer issued yet another free pass, this time to Joe Panik, before he was lifted from the atrocious outing. The right-hander, still winless on the season, had performed well during his previous two starts to hold onto his spot in the rotation with John Means (shoulder) and Bruce Zimmermann (biceps) on the injured list. If he gets another chance, it will tentatively come on the road against the Astros on Tuesday.

Luzardo started Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Tacoma on Tuesday and allowed one unearned run on two hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts over three innings. He also uncorked a wild pitch and didn't factor into the decision.

Luzardo's first start back with the Aviators didn't see him at his sharpest by any means -- he threw only 26 of 50 pitches for strikes -- but the young left-hander at least kept the ball in the park, something he'd failed to accomplish in each of his last five appearances at the big-league level. Luzardo had trouble finding any sort of lasting success as either a starter or reliever with the Athletics over the first two-plus months of the season, and he'll presumably spend extended time in Las Vegas righting the ship before a return to the majors is considered.

Taillon (2-4) allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out six across 6.1 innings to earn the win Thursday against the Royals.

Taillon delivered his highest strikeout mark in his last six starts, backed by 16 called strikes and 12 swinging strikes on 96 total pitches. He also matched his longest outing of the campaign, working over five innings for only the third time in 14 appearances. Taillon's inability to work deep into games has limited him to only two wins on the campaign. His 5.18 ERA is also uninspiring, but a more impressive 69:20 K:BB across 64.1 frames on the season suggests better results could be on the way.

Keller (6-8) allowed four earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out three across five innings to take the loss Thursday against the Yankees.

Keller was hit hard throughout the outing, as he allowed multiple baserunners in all but one of his five innings of work. He also surrendered two home runs, the first by Aaron Judge in the opening frame followed up by Luke Voit two innings later. Keller is in the midst of a disastrous run on the mound, as he's allowed 21 earned runs across his last 20.1 frames -- spanning four starts. That's increased his ERA to 6.39 on the campaign.

Matz (illness) threw about 60 pitches in live batting practice Thursday and is expected to start during the Blue Jays' upcoming three-game series against the Mariners, which begins Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The left-hander has cleared the COVID-19 protocols and is on the cusp of rejoining the rotation after testing positive for the virus June 13. Matz figures to face minor workload limitations coming off the absence, but he should be able to reach 75-80 pitches after nearing 60 during Thursday's session.

Means (shoulder) will likely be sidelined until after the All-Star break, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Means has been sidelined since June 6 but is only playing catch and hasn't yet resumed mound work. Manager Brandon Hyde previously said the southpaw would be sidelined until around the All-Star break, but the skipper is now hopeful the lefty will be able to return shortly after the break. Tom Eshelman should remain in the rotation while Means and Bruce Zimmermann (biceps) are on the injured list.

Cleveland placed Civale (finger) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Civale's move to the IL was a foregone conclusion after the club announced Wednesday that he would be sidelined for the next 4-to-5 weeks after he sustained a sprained right middle finger during his start Monday against the Cubs. Cleveland isn't expected to appoint a replacement for Civale in the rotation until June 28 against the Tigers, but reliever Justin Garza was called up from Triple-A Columbus to fill the right-hander's spot on the active roster for the time being.

Severino (elbow/groin) ran full sprints Thursday, Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated reports.

Severino is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but the importance of his ability to sprint is tied to the Grade 2 groin strain he suffered during a minor-league rehab appearance June 12. The injury has held back his rehab assignment, so he'll need to be fully recovered before he can return to game action and continue to build up his arm. The right-hander is unlikely to return to the big club until August.