MLB Player News

Gonzales (1-1) allowed two unearned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out six over 6.1 innings in a win over the Angels on Thursday.

Gonzales' only blemish was a fifth-inning two-run home run by Angels catcher Max Stassi, but due to an earlier error, the runs were unearned. The 28-year-old Gonzales made improvements over his previous outing, when he allowed four runs (three earned) in 4.1 innings versus the Astros. The southpaw maintains his status as the Mariners' ace and will likely get a rematch at home versus the Angels on Wednesday.

Means allowed five earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two across 2.1 innings Thursday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Means showed signs of rust early, hitting two batters and walking one among the first five hitters he faced. However, he ran into real trouble when Luke Voit -- the sixth batter of the first inning -- came to the plate with the bases loaded and belted a grand slam. More positively, Means rebounded to retire the final four batters he faced, including a swinging strikeout of Aaron Judge. Means threw only 51 pitches, so it's unclear how deep the Orioles will let him work in his second start of the campaign. He currently lines up for a rematch with the Yankees on Tuesday.

Perez (1-1) allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings to earn the win Thursday against the Mets.

Perez pitched a fairly clean game with the exception of the third inning, when he walked two batters and hit another. That loaded the bases for Jeff McNeil, who singled into left field to drive in a pair. It was a bounce-back performance from Perez, as he had surrendered four earned runs in his first start with Boston. He'll face a tough test in his next scheduled start, which is currently projected for Wednesday at Tampa Bay.

Ryu (0-1) allowed five earned runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out five across 4.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Nationals.

Ryu worked two clean innings to start the game, but then surrendered runs in each of his final three frames to turn in a disappointing start. Four of the nine hits he surrendered went for extra bases, the most harmful of which was a two-run home run by Michael Taylor. While it's only two outings, Ryu has gotten off to a rocky start with the Blue Jays, surrendering eight earned runs across nine innings pitched.

Manager Ron Roenicke said Rodriguez (illness) is still a ways away from game action, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Rodriguez remains shut down as he continues to wait for his bout of heart inflammation (a result of his battle with COVID-19) to subside, and even when he's cleared to resume physical activity, it sounds like he will need plenty of time to build his arm back up. While the southpaw remains sidelined, Matt Hall is a candidate to start in his place.

Odorizzi (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi came out of the session pain-free and is tentatively scheduled to face live hitters early next week. A more concrete return date for the right-hander will hopefully come into focus following his live BP session next week.

Milone is a "strong candidate" to start Sunday against the Rays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc are lined up to pitch the first two games of the series, leaving either Milone or Kohl Stewart to take the finale. Milone struck out five in his season debut against the Red Sox but otherwise struggled, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks across three innings.

Means (arm) was activated from the injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Yankees on Thursday.

As expected, Means is set to make his season debut Thursday after a minimal stay on the injured list with arm fatigue. The southpaw will look to build off his breakout 2019 campaign (3.60 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 155 innings), though he'll have his hands full against a difficult Yankees lineup. Per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, Means is expected to pitch around 3-to-4 innings Thursday as the Orioles ease him back. Cody Carroll was sent to the team's alternate camp in a corresponding move.

Gibson isn't scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Giants, as the Rangers will instead go with Kolby Allard for the series finale in San Francisco.

Since the Rangers had off days Thursday and Monday and were down a starter after Corey Kluber (shoulder) was moved on the 45-day injured list, there was some thought that the team might go with a four-man rotation until a fifth starter was first needed Aug. 8 versus the Angels. Instead, manager Chris Woodward has elected to break Allard in as a replacement in the rotation for Kluber this weekend, robbing Gibson of a start on his normal four days' rest. Gibson won't necessarily be in store for two starts during the Rangers' six-game slate next week either, as Woodward could use Monday's off day to reorder the rotation. In that scenario, Lance Lynn would line up for two turns (Aug. 4 in Oakland, Aug. 9 versus the Angels).

Luzardo, who allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, will rejoin the starting rotation for his next trip to the mound, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I think my arm is ready, especially after this outing," Luzardo said. "I think I'm ready in terms of strength and how I feel."

The left-hander worked up to 67 pitches in his long-relief appearance Wednesday, and manager Bob Melvin confirmed the heavy workload was by design. With Luzardo having corroborated his ability to essentially handle a starter's pitch count and notching swinging strikeouts on all five of his whiffs, manager Bob Melvin determined he's seen everything he needs to convince him the emerging southpaw is ready after his delayed arrival in summer camp. "You see a lot of bad swings off him," Melvin said. "The velocity and breaking ball is there. Throwing 2-2 changeups to lefties -- all his stuff looks great, and to have it in this fashion after missing significant time in summer camp is impressive." Given his level of usage Wednesday, Luzardo would likely line up for his first start either Sunday or Monday against the Mariners.