MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) has begun throwing live batting practice sessions at Houston's spring training complex in Florida, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has thrown several bullpen sessions since early June and is now able to take the next step in his recovery. He could embark on a rehab assignment shortly, with the aim of returning in late July or early August.

McCullers (1-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one batter over 3.1 innings.

McCullers came off the 15-day IL on Saturday after recovering from a right foot sprain, but he didn't pitch well against a tough Chicago offense. The right-hander walked in a run in the first inning, and after tossing perfect second and third frames, things really fell apart for him in the fourth. The Cubs put seven straight runners on base against McCullers in that inning, and their six hits included three homers and a triple. It was the first time this season that the veteran hurler has given up more than one home run in an outing, and Saturday's start was also his second shortest of the campaign. Discarding two bad blow-ups this season, McCullers has a 2.79 ERA over six starts spanning 29 frames. However, those meltdowns have been really bad -- combined, he's allowed 15 runs across 3.2 innings in that pair of starts. As a result, his season ERA stands at an ugly 6.61.

Cecconi allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Saturday.

Cecconi served up a leadoff homer to Brendan Donovan in the first inning but then settled down and held a 6-1 lead entering the fifth. The right-hander got two quick outs in that frame, but he then gave up a walk, a double and a two-run single and was subsequently given the hook. It was just the second time in eight starts this season that Cecconi hasn't completed five innings, and the outing marked the first time through five appearances in June that he's given up more than two earned runs. The 26-year-old missed the first part of the season due to an oblique strain, but he's been fairly effective since making his season debut May 17, posting a 3.64 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with a 42:14 K:BB over 42 frames.

Hendricks allowed one run on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over five innings in a no-decision versus the Nationals on Saturday.

Hendricks was sharp the first two times through the order, but CJ Abrams took him deep for a fifth-inning solo shot. Hendricks was pulled at 74 pitches (56 strikes), leaving with the game tied at 1-1. He had mixed results in June, allowing 13 runs (10 earned) with a 21:5 K:BB over 28 innings across his five starts during the month. That's still better than his season-long marks, which are now at a 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB through 87 innings. Hendricks' next start is lined up to be at Toronto.

Houser (3-2) earned the win over San Francisco on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out five batters over seven scoreless innings.

Houser got one measly run of support, but that was all he needed, as the right-hander spun another impressive outing. The veteran hurler was efficient in tossing 88 pitches (62 strikes) across his seven frames, and he fired a first-pitch strike to 18 of the 25 batters he faced. Houser lowered his ERA to 1.90 on the campaign, and he's now recorded a quality start in six of his seven appearances. While he doesn't have a great track record and is not a big source of strikeouts -- he has 31 across 42.2 innings this year -- Houser has put himself on fantasy radars with his unexpected level of success to begin his White Sox tenure.

Rocker did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings.

Rocker threw 67 of 97 pitches for strikes and induced 10 whiffs, falling a two-out single in the sixth inning short of potentially earning his third straight win. The 25-year-old notched his first quality start since April 17 and has now allowed just four earned runs over his past three outings. He'll carry a 6.13 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB across 39.2 innings into a road matchup with the Padres next weekend.

Woo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks with nine strikeouts over six innings.

Woo allowed a homer following a two-out error in the third inning but was otherwise excellent, throwing 61 of 97 pitches for strikes and generating 18 whiffs. The 25-year-old will wrap up June with three consecutive quality starts and has impressively completed at least six frames in all 16 of his outings this season. He'll carry a 2.93 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 96:17 K:BB across 101.1 innings into a favorable matchup versus the Royals next week.

Lugo (5-5) earned the win against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Lugo kept the Dodgers off the board despite issuing a season-high five walks, falling one out shy of his third consecutive quality start. It capped a stellar June for the 35-year-old, who allowed just four earned runs while posting a 31:11 K:BB over five outings. He'll take a 2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 76:28 K:BB across 88.2 innings into a road matchup with the Mariners next week.

Littell (7-7) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings in an 11-3 rout of the Orioles. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed 61 of 93 pitches for strikes en route to his 11th quality start of the season, and fifth in his last seven trips to the mound. During that stretch, Littell has produced a 2.78 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and stunning 33:2 K:BB over 45.1 innings. He'll try to stay dialed in during his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Minnesota.

Giolito (4-1) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on six hits and one walk while striking out five across seven innings.

Giolito received plenty of run support from the Red Sox batters Saturday, and the extra rest between innings seemed to benefit the 30-year-old right-hander. He has logged four quality starts in a row and has given up only two earned runs over that span while striking out 24 batters in 25 innings. Giolito now sports a 3.99 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB across 58.2 innings this season. He's in line to face the Nationals on the road next weekend, when he'll look to make it three wins in five starts.