MLB Player News

McCullers allowed three runs on four hits -- including a home run -- over six innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Saturday. He struck out nine.

While he didn't get the win in what looked like a layup, McCullers was still very good, inducing 16 swinging strikes on 103 pitches. Since his seven-run outing against Cleveland on May 26, McCullers has posted a 3.48 ERA and 31:11 K:BB over 31 innings. Next up is a road start against the Rays.

Gray (5-5) allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven across 6.2 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Rays.

The Rays got to Gray early, scoring three runs in the first two innings on the strength of two doubles. From there, Gray settled in to record 15 straight outs before surrendering a solo home run to Willy Adames to end his day. In spite of the four earned runs, this start can be considered another step forward for him, as he generated 17 swinging strikes and seven groundballs.

Odorizzi fell to 3-5 on the season with a poor performance Saturday against the Rangers. He lasted just 1.2 innings and allowed six runs on six hits and a walk, striking out three.

Odorizzi started strong, retiring the side in order in the first inning, but the wheels came off in the second. He faced 10 batters in the frame but couldn't get three outs and was pulled in favor of Matt Magill after allowing six runs. He's now allowed 22 earned runs in 20.1 innings over his last five starts, dropping his season ERA to a disappointing 4.97. The righty will try to get back on track Thursday against the White Sox.

Stroman (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list Saturday and will start against the Angels, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Stroman hasn't pitched since May 8 after hitting the disabled list with shoulder fatigue. Prior to the injury, he recorded a 7.71 ERA in seven starts, though he may have been dealing with the issue all season, as he also battled shoulder inflammation in spring training. If Stroman is finally fully healthy, he'll hopefully return to the form which saw him post a 3.09 ERA in 2017.

Chirinos was placed on the minor-league disabled list Saturday due to a shoulder issue, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos missed a month of action earlier this season due to a forearm strain and is now staring at an extended period of time on the shelf. The Rays have yet to describe the severity of the injury, but a timetable will likely come to light within the next few days.

Bassitt was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Bassitt will return to the minor-league level after taking the loss during Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings. This move comes as a slight surprise since it was figured that Bassitt would continue to fill the rotational void left by Trevor Cahill (Achilles), so the Athletics will need to find another starter for their upcoming series in Detroit next week. Josh Lucas could be a candidate to make a spot start or Andrew Triggs (forearm) may be available to return from the disabled list, though an answer should come by the end of this weekend.

Heaney (4-5) picked up the win against the Blue Jays on Friday, scattering nine hits and giving up one earned run over seven innings. He struck out four and walked none in the 2-1 victory.

Heaney has had a couple of hiccups over his last five starts, giving up five earned runs on both June 11 and May 31, but he's having a terrific season, with a 3.43 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 78.2 innings. He hasn't been providing eye-popping strikeout totals, but he's made up for it thanks to those solid ratios. His command has been an especially impressive aspect of his recent run, as Heaney is sporting a 22:4 K:BB over those last five outings.

Keuchel struck out six in six scoreless innings Friday against the Astros, giving up two walks and six hits in a no-decision.

After a few rough outings in which he gave up 16 earned runs across 16 innings in three starts, Keuchel has now had back-to-back starts without allowing a run. The lefty has brought his ERA back under 4.00 and carries a 1.31 WHIP while sporting a middle-of-the-road .265 batting average against. His next start will be a matchup at home against the Blue Jays.

Cobb didn't factor into the decision in Friday's extra-innings win over the Braves, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out six.

The right-hander threw 70 of 107 pitches for strikes in delivering his sixth quality start of the season, but Cobb exited the game with the score knotted at 1-1 before both bullpens fell apart, leaving to an eventual 10-7 final in 15 innings. He'll carry a 6.56 ERA into his next outing Wednesday at home against the Mariners.

Lewicki was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The right-hander has eight games (two starts) with the Tigers this year but holds an uninspiring 4.18 ERA with 18 strikeouts, nine walks and a 1.61 WHIP. He'll work in low-leverage spots as a depth piece.