MLB Player News

McCullers (2-4) took the loss after throwing three innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five, during Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

McCullers' struggles on the season continued as he failed to make it through five innings for the sixth time in 10 starts. He needed 83 pitches to get through three innings, an alarming level of inefficiency, The 31-year-old has a 6.48 ERA on the season, well off the eighth-year pro's career 3.60 ERA. With 49 strikeouts in 41.2 innings this year, he's still striking out batters at a decent rate, but he must bring down his allowed walks (26) and home runs (nine) if he's to find his form again after the All-Star break.

Castillo (6-5) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings while striking out six in the 12-3 victory over the Tigers.

Castillo shined early, yielding just one earned run through the first five innings before running into trouble opening the sixth, allowing back-to-back hits and another run before being removed with a runner on third. The 32-year-old entered the matchup coming off his best start of the season and has now posted a 3.60 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 11 walks over his last six outings.

Leiter (5-6) picked up the win after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out six, during Friday's 7-3 win over the Astros.

Leiter did enough to pick up the win Friday, aided by five runs of support during his outing, but struggled with his control again. The right-hander walked four batters to bring his season total up to 38 in 80.1 innings. On the flip side, the 25-year-old has struck out 18 batters over his last three starts, his most over a three-start stretch at any point this season. He enters the All-Star break with a 4.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 1.8 K/BB this season.

Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to Boston, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one over two innings.

Rasmussen surrendered his lone run in the second inning before exiting at the end of the frame. The Rays have been transparent about managing his workload, and this marked his third straight appearance without completing more than three innings. Over that span, the right-hander has allowed six earned runs on 11 hits while striking out five across seven total innings

Smith didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, giving up two runs on two hits over three innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Named to the AL All-Star team as the only representative for the White Sox, Smith got the hook after only 46 pitches (31 strikes) with the score tied 2-2, as per Jack Ankony of SI.com, the team is making it a priority to manage the rookie's workload. Both the runs off the right-hander came on second-inning solo shots by Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez, the first time all season that Smith has been taken deep multiple times in a start. Through his first 86.2 big-league innings, Smith sports a 4.26 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 81:37 K:BB -- the most he's ever worked in a professional season is 94.1 innings, which he tossed last year in the Brewers' system before being selected by the White Sox in this past winter's Rule 5 Draft.

Allen (6-7) picked up the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw served up a two-run shot to Luis Robert in the second inning, but otherwise Allen was nearly untouchable as he tossed 56 of 92 pitches for strikes in his third straight quality start and his fifth of the season. Allen will head into the All-Star break with a 4.00 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 70:38 K:BB through 90 innings.

Manoah (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah has been on the shelf all year while working his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery, and he now seems to be nearing the home stretch of his recovery. The goal is for him to pitch two innings in rookie ball during his return to competition, and the Jays plan to build him up over the course of five or six minor-league starts. Assuming he sticks to a traditional four-day rest period between starts and doesn't suffer any setbacks, he'll likely be cleared to return from the IL in early August.

Dobbins was removed from Friday's game against the Rays with a right knee injury, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dobbins pulled up while running to cover first base in the second inning, and he was in clear discomfort while throwing a warm-up pitch after the training staff came to visit him. The team will take a closer look at the 25-year-old righty and should have more information on his status relatively soon.

The Angels optioned Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Kochanowicz was lit up during his latest outing Thursday, surrendering eight runs to the Rangers in just 2.2 innings. He'll now look to get back on track in the minors, and the Angels will bring up Jake Eder to provide some additional bullpen depth heading into the All-Star break.

Urquidy (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Urquidy is working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in June of 2024, and he's been throwing bullpens since late May. While he hasn't faced live hitters, Urquidy should be getting close to taking that step. Still, he shouldn't be expected back until mid-August at the earliest.