MLB Player News

Lynn (13-6) picked up the win Friday after holding the A's to two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

The right-hander worked himself out of a jam in the first inning after two straight errors by Danny Santana allowed both Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman to reach base. Lynn then walked Matt Olson to load the bases, but fanned Matt Canha for the first out, and the only damage in the inning came via a sacrifice fly by Ramon Laureano. The final blemish on Lynn's line came from an RBI single by Canha in the third. With the win, he evened his season record against Oakland (1-1) while snapping a two-game losing streak. Lynn has pitched at least six innings in 17 straight starts, tied for third longest in franchise history. The 32-year-old will carry a 3.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 160:33 K:BB into a matchup against the Tigers next Friday.

Kikuchi pitched 6.2 innings Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out four. He took a no-decision in a 3-2 win over the Tigers.

Kikuchi had a rough beginning, allowing solo home runs to Brandon Dixon and John Hicks early on, but he settled down well enough to keep his team in a position to win. The 28-year-old has allowed three runs or less in four of his last six starts. For the year, Kikuchi has a 5.21 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 83 strikeouts over 114 innings. The southpaw lines up for a tough road date with the Astros next Friday.

Paxton (5-6) allowed seven runs with nine hits, zero walks and nine strikeouts across four innings while taking a loss against the Red Sox on Friday.

The nine strikeouts were nice, but the left-hander couldn't keep the ball in the park. Mookie Betts took him deep three times, and J.D. Martinez hit a homer off Paxton as well. Those four long balls accounted for six of the seven runs against him. Home runs have been an issue for the 30-year-old most of this season, as he owns a career-high 1.7 HR/9. He also has a 4.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 117 strikeouts in 89.2 innings this season. Paxton will look to keep the ball in the park during his next start at Yankee Stadium, against the Red Sox once again next Friday.

Means (biceps) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list after the minimum, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles don't believe the left-hander's injury is anything serious, and they anticipate him missing just one start while on the shelf. Baltimore has yet to reveal who will take Means' spot in the rotation for Monday's matchup with the Padres.

Means was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left biceps strain, retroactive to Thursday.

Means gave up three runs over 3.1 frames in his last start Wednesday, and he evidently picked up the injury sometime during the outing. A timeline for his return has yet to be established, but he'll be eligible to be activated beginning Aug. 4, meaning he would only miss one start if he returns following the 10-day minimum.

Mejia was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on Friday.

Mejia was scooped up off waivers by the Angels on Saturday, but he'll head back to waivers following Friday night's transaction. He owns a 7.32 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 19.2 innings this season in the big leagues across stops with the Twins and Angels. Nick Tropeano was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Luzardo (lat) threw two bullpen sessions this week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo reported feeling healthy after throwing off a mound for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 lat strain at the beginning of the month. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the young left-hander is tentatively scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game the first week of August before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment thereafter. If all goes well, Luzardo could be an option for the Athletics down the stretch.

Canning (3-6) took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings in Thursday's 16-inning game against the Orioles, and he won't be available to make his scheduled start Friday.

Canning threw 42 pitches during the final two innings, surrendering a game-winning home run to Jonathan Villar. The right-hander has allowed 18 runs with a 22:12 K:BB in 17.2 innings during his last five outings. Nick Tropeano is the top candidate to start Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. As of now, Canning is expected to make his following turn in the rotation.

Suarez did not factor into the decision against the Orioles on Thursday, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six.

Suarez held Baltimore scoreless over the first three frames before allowing a single run in the fourth inning. He departed with one out in the fifth after allowing back-to-back singles and was charged with his second run when the lead runner eventually came around to score. The rookie has now allowed three runs or less in seven of his eight starts but has completed five innings only three times in those appearances. He'll carry a 5.35 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB over 37 innings into his next scheduled start, a home matchup against the Tigers on Tuesday.

Giolito (11-5) was charged with the loss against the Twins on Thursday after surrendering seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings.

It wasn't the best outing for the right-hander, who fell victim to a three-homer, five-RBI night from Nelson Cruz. Giolito also allowed Max Kepler to go deep with a two-run shot in his final inning of the game. Despite the shaky start, the 25-year-old has pieced together a stellar campaign with a 3.52 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 141:42 K:BB over 20 starts. He'll next work another home contest Wednesday against the Mets.