MLB Player News

Boyd (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Reds, allowing five earned runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Boyd was sharp in the first two innings, but he started off the third by allowing two walks and a single to load the bases. Cincinnati slugger Joey Votto then cleared the bases with a grand slam, which was the big blow of the evening against Boyd. The five earned runs are the most allowed this season by the 27-year-old lefty. Boyd will still take a solid 3.63 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled for Monday against the Athletics.

Hamels (4-6) got the win Tuesday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over seven innings against the Royals.

Hamels struggled a bit with command in this one, walking three batters and throwing two wild pitches but he was otherwise able to stifle the Kansas City bats all night. The lefty didn't allow an extra-base hit and grabbed a quality start for the sixth time in eight starts since the beginning of May. The 34-year-old now has 92 strikeouts in 92.1 innings on the year and will take a 3.41 ERA into a home tilt against the Padres on Monday.

German (2-4) earned the win against the Mariners on Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits across seven innings. He walked none and recorded nine strikeouts.

German followed up his 10-strikeout performance last week with another gem Tuesday, completely stifling the Mariners' bats and throwing 67 of 96 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old now has a 4.77 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 72 strikeouts over 60.1 innings, and is next expected to start Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Gonzales (7-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing six runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Gonzales gave up home runs to Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks as he allowed more than three runs for the first time in his last six starts, and allowed more than four runs for the first time in 2018. The 26-year-old has a 3.80 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 74:20 K:BB across 85.1 innings, and lines up for another tough matchup Sunday against the Red Sox.

The Rangers traded McGuire to the Angels for cash considerations or a player-to-be-named Tuesday.

McGuire was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday and now heads to his third organization since being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on June 9. The 28-year-old will report to Triple-A Salt Lake, a level where he has a 4.08 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 46.1 innings this season.

Whitley fanned seven hitters and allowed two hits and one walk across four scoreless frames for Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday.

The Astros' top prospect has yet to allow a run while striking out 18 through 12 innings since reporting to the Texas League affiliate earlier this month after completing a 50-game suspension. Whitley's pedigree and stellar age-to-level production suggest he might already be a capable big-league starter, but the Astros' considerable rotation depth makes it most likely that he debuts with the big club out of the bullpen at some point in the second half. The delayed start to Whitley's season could actually enhance his opportunity to make an impact for the Astros, as his limited workload to date shouldn't subject him to the stricter innings caps 20-year-old pitchers would normally face down the stretch.

Stroman (shoulder) threw a simulated game at Double-A New Hampshire on Monday and is expected to return from the 10-day disabled list to start Saturday against the Angels, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Stroman had been scheduled to make his second minor-league rehab start Monday with New Hampshire, but a postponement due to rain forced him to alter his plans. While the Blue Jays probably would have liked to see Stroman pitch again in an uncontrolled setting, it appears they were satisfied with how he looked during the simulated game and are ready to integrate him back into the rotation. The return of Stroman, who submitted a 7.71 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 37.1 innings in his seven starts prior to landing on the DL, will most likely result in Sam Gaviglio losing a rotation spot.

Cole allowed four runs on three hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in a no-decision Monday against the Rays.

Cole was nasty at times but couldn't rein in his control when he needed to. A leadoff walk in the first scored on a subsequent home run, and two of the three men Cole walked in the third inning came around to score as well. This was an extremely uncharacteristic performance, as Cole hadn't walked more than three batters all year entering Monday. Don't expect this trend to continue, but Cole now has gone two starts without a quality start for the first time all season. He'll look to right the ship Sunday against the Royals.

Gray (5-4) allowed two runs on six hits and one walk across five innings to earn the win Monday against the Nationals. He struck out seven.

Gray limited baserunners effectively apart from the second and fourth innings, when he put multiple men aboard and allowed an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly, respectively. He pounded the strike zone at a 71 percent clip while inducing 16 swinging strikes, and six groundball outs helped him mitigate the damage. Gray is turning things around after an abysmal start and has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last six starts to bring his ERA to 4.89. He'll look to continue his recent success this weekend against the Rays.

McGuire was designated for assignment Monday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

McGuire had been claimed by the Rangers off waivers Friday and was immediately optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. If he clears waivers, he'll likely remain at the same level. The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for the return of Elvis Andrus (elbow) from the 60-day disabled list.