MLB Player News

Keller allowed one run on six hits with five walks and two strikeouts across 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Nationals on Friday.

Despite the five free passes, the 23-year-old bounced back from his awful final start of June in this one. With this performance, he's also continued his recent pattern of alternating good and terrible starts. He's balanced out to a 1-1 record with a 5.11 ERA during since June 14. Keller is 4-9 with a 4.47 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 110.2 innings overall this season.

Kikuchi (4-6) pitched seven innings in a loss Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk. He struck out five in the 5-2 loss to the Athletics.

Kikuchi has had a roller-coaster season, but this was one of the better outings for the southpaw despite the end result. It was the 28-year-old's longest outing since May 8, when he tossed 7.2 innings versus the Yankees. Kikuchi owns a 4.94 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP in 98.1 innings. He lines up to start against the Athletics again July 16.

Rodriguez (9-4) got the win Friday against the Tigers, allowing one run on four hits in five innings of work. He struck out four batters while walking just one.

Rodriguez was potentially in line for his first quality start since June 14, but a rain delay of over two hours cut him short after just five innings and 76 pitches. It was a strong outing nonetheless, as the Tigers only once strung together multiple baserunners in an inning. Rodriguez will enter the break with a mediocre 4.65 ERA, though his 4.10 FIP suggests that at least some positive regression could be coming.

Verlander (10-4) took the loss Friday as the Astros were downed 5-4 by the Angels, allowing four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over seven innings while striking out six.

The 36-year-old is suddenly having major problems keeping the ball in the park. Verlander has been tagged for multiple homers in four of his last five starts, posting a 4.91 ERA over that stretch despite a strong 43:8 K:BB through 33 innings. His numbers on the season remain excellent, but look for the right-hander to try and make some adjustments over the All-Star break.

Luzardo (lat) won't return to game action for another 4-to-5 weeks, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo appeared to be working his way towards a big-league debut shortly after the All-Star break but now won't be pitching at any level until at least early August after suffering a Grade 2 lat strain. A debut late in the season remains possible but shouldn't be taken for granted given how rocky his season has been so far.

Ramirez (elbow) will make another rehab start for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The start could be Ramirez's final one as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. He's thrown a total of six rehab outings so far, posting a poor 7.77 ERA and 11:11 K:BB over 22 innings of work -- not exactly providing much reason for confidence that he'll be able to become a rotation fixture in the second half.

Blackburn was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Blackburn has been exclusively a starter this season, posting a 5.26 ERA in 15 starts for Las Vegas and allowing five runs in one three-inning start for Oakland. He appears to be up as a reliever this time around with no gaps available in the big-league rotation before the All-Star break. Tanner Anderson was sent down in a corresponding move.

Eovaldi (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Eovaldi is still working his way back from late-April elbow surgery. He's expected to close for the Red Sox once he returns, both in an effort to decrease the strain on his arm and in an attempt to fix the team's weak link, though the team hasn't ruled out his chances of eventually returning to the rotation late in the season.

Stroman (pectoral) is not listed as one of the Blue Jays' probable starting pitchers this weekend against the Orioles.

Stroman exited his start last week with a pectoral cramp in his non-throwing (left) shoulder and was scratched from Thursday's scheduled outing, and he now won't make another start until after the All-Star break, per Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan. Assuming there's no update to the team's rotation plans, the 28-year-old will finish the first half with a 3.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81:32 K:BB over 104.2 innings.

Lynn is expected to start the first game back after the All-Star break, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Manager Chris Woodward tentatively set his rotation for the second half, kicking off with Lynn on Thursday, followed by Jesse Chavez (Friday) and Mike Minor (Saturday). Lynn, who has won four straight starts and five consecutive decisions, is currently tied for the major-league lead in wins (11) with the White Sox's Lucas Giolito.