MLB Player News

Sale has been scratched from Saturday's start against the Tigers because he has the flu, Doug Padilla of ESPN.com reports.

His name came up in trade rumors earlier this week, so initially it seemed like that was the reason the White Sox ace was scratched, but according to Padilla, it's because of an illness. It is unfortunate for Sale's owners that he was scratched Saturday, but if he were to be dealt to a more competitive team prior to the trade deadline, that could end up boosting his fantasy value down the stretch. Matt Albers will take the ball Saturday in what amounts to a bullpen game against the Tigers.

Bundy (3-2) turned in his best start to date in Friday's 5-1 victory over the Indians, surrendering one unearned run on five hits over five innings. He also struck out five.

The converted reliever kept a dangerous Indians lineup off balance during his time on the mound, inducing 13 swinging strikes overall. Bundy brings plenty of strikeout potential to the table, now having recorded 16 whiffs in just 10.1 frames during July. He'll look for a second consecutive victory when he takes on the Rockies next Wednesday.

Odorizzi (4-5) pitched eight scoreless innings in Friday's 13-inning affair against the A's. He allowed five hits and struck out five.

The 26-year-old was dealing Friday, but was matched every step of the way by his counterpart Sean Manaea, leaving Odorizzi with nothing to show for his best outing of the season. After having just 10 no-decisions in all of last season, Odorizzi already has a league-leading 12 no-decisions in 2016. In six of his no-decisions, he has allowed one run or fewer. Odorizzi is 13-14 since the start of 2015 and has received just 24 runs of support in his 14 losses. The right-hander will try again Friday, when he takes on the Yankees, a team he lost to 2-1 back on May 29.

Paxton (3-4) struck out nine Blue Jays while giving up just one earned run on three hits and a walk over seven innings in Friday's 2-1 victory over Toronto.

The 27-year-old southpaw was outstanding in one of the best hitting environments in the majors. He induced a whopping 19 swinging strikes, equaled the second-lowest amount of earned runs he's surrendered in a start this season and posted his second-best strikeout total as well. Paxton has had an up-and-down campaign, but has now emerged victorious in two of his three July decisions.

McCullers (5-4) pitched eight innings Friday, allowing one run, four hits and four walks while striking out 10 Angels in the 2-1 victory.

McCullers took the hill in the ninth in an effort to record his second MLB complete game, but was lifted after issuing two walks to open the final frame. He had some traffic on the bases early, but was helped out by a defense that turned double plays to end both the second and fifth innings. He sailed through the next three innings, retiring nine straight and striking out the side in the eighth. Through 12 starts this season, McCullers sports an eye-popping 11.5 K/9 while giving up just two home runs over 70-plus innings.

Darvish (2-2) pitched six innings Friday, allowing three runs (two earned), seven hits and one walk while striking out 11 Royals in the loss.

Darvish was outdueled by Royals' starter Danny Duffy, but left the game without much bad to be said about his performance. Making just his fifth start since August 2014 due to injury, Darvish amassed double-digit strikeouts for the first time since July 18, 2014. Friday also marked the right-hander's longest outing since returning, and his highest pitch total (91). The 29-year-old appears ready to pay dividends to those owners that have patiently waited for the Japanese star to return to form.

Rodriguez (2-4) allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight over 5.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Twins.

Rodriguez allowed single runs in the second and sixth innings, but the offense was only able to put a single run on the board to keep him from having a shot at a win. Since being brought back up to the majors on July 16, he's allowed just three runs in 12 innings over two starts to lower his ERA to 6.70. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Tigers.

Gibson (3-6) allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out six over eight innings to earn the win Friday at the Red Sox.

After allowing a lead-off homer to Mookie Betts, Gibson stymied the Red Sox the rest of the way, leaving the contest after throwing only 96 pitches through eight innings. This was his first quality start over his last four outings, and he now has a 4.67 ERA to go along with a 1.39 WHIP on the year. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Orioles.

Bundy may remain in the rotation the rest of the season despite an undisclosed innings limit, MASN Sports reports.

It seems as though the innings limit is well above the total Bundy can reach this season, so his performance will dictate whether he remains in the rotation or returns to the bullpen. Bundy was quite valuable in the bullpen, but three home runs allowed in his rotation debut last Sunday were his undoing. Bundy takes the hill Friday night against the Indians.

Gray (4-9) gave up seven runs on nine hits in a loss to the Rays on Thursday. He struck out six without a walk, but allowed two home runs.

Both of those homers were of the solo variety, but the big swings coupled with Tampa rallies conspired to bury Gray again. After looking like a budding star through his first three seasons, Gray's been slumming it with the scrubs this year, as his 5.49 ERA will attest. He can't be trusted anymore this season unless he shows signs of a drastic turnaround, but keeper-league owners looking toward the future may find that he makes for a nice cheap acquisition for next year.