MLB Player News

Jose Quintana got off to a rough start, and though he wound up pitching well over the course of 7 1/3 innings, wasn't enough to keep him from taking the loss Sunday in the White Sox's 3-1 defeat to the Cubs. 

Quintana gave up two first-inning runs to put himself in an early hole. He would recover, striking out nine and walking none, but the three earned runs he would give up would send him to his ninth loss of the season. 

Quintana has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last nine starts dating back to May 30, but is 2-4 over that time span with three no-decisions. 

Astros starter Lance McCullers struck out 10 batters in six innings, Sunday against Tampa. McCullers took the loss, however, for the first time since June 19.

McCullers allowed a career-high four earned runs, despite only giving up four hits. It snapped a string of three straight starts allowing one run. 

McCullers dropped to 4-3 with the loss. 

White Sox manager Robin Ventura made it clear on Sunday that he would prefer that Chris Sale doesn't throw during the All-Star Game on Tuesday, per the Chicago Tribune.

Ventura wants his ace to get some extra rest during the break, instead of pitching in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. Sale is 8-4 with a 2.72 ERA in 119 1/3 innings so far this season, including a 10-strikeout performance on Saturday during his last outing before the break.

“I think yesterday he was amped up,” Ventura said. “Just philosophy-wise, pitch count and everything in this environment, he was exerting everything he had. It would be nice (for him to rest), definitely.

“He is (our only representative). But I also want him to pitch for us for the rest of the year too.”

A four-time All-Star, Sale said he understands the importance of rest, but that he has enjoyed throwing in the Summer Classic and would like to do so again this year.

“Those aren’t my decisions to make,” Sale said. “I understand where he’s coming from. I respect it. I’ve got to put this team first and foremost. This is the team I’m playing for and that I have a future with.”

“I’ve enjoyed pitching in the past. I would like to. But at the same time, that’s a decision for him to make. He’s going to make the right one.”

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber was dominant against the Athletics on Sunday, but his offense couldn't come through for him in a 2-0 loss.

Kluber allowed two runs on just four hits in eight innings of work. He struck out six batters and allowed just two walks. Kluber's only mistake came in the fourth inning when he allowed a two-run home run to Stephen Vogt.

Kluber has a misleading 4-10 record with a 3.38 ERA, as he's fallen victim to some of the worst run support of any pitcher this season.

Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray threw a gem on Sunday against the Indians.

Gray was in complete control as he tossed a complete-game shutout and picked up his 10th win of the season. Gray allowed just two hits and gave up only one walk. He struck out six batters, bringing his season total to 108.

Gray now has a beyond impressive 2.04 ERA in 123 2/3 innings this season.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago will replace Athletics starter Sonny Gray on the American League All Star team. 

Gray is starting Sunday's game and won't be eligible to appear in Tuesday's All Star Game. Santiago was named to the team to fill Gray's spot, per the L.A. Times. 

Santiago is 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA this year. 

The Red Sox needed rookie starter Eduardo Rodriguez to stay hot Saturday night in order for his team to stay hot. And he did just that.

Rodriguez gave the surging Sox what they needed against their archrival Yankees by allowing just two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts. He has now won five of seven decisions.

Only the long ball hurt Rodriguez. He surrendered a first-inning blast to Alex Rodriguez and sixth-inning dinger to Jacoby Ellsbury.

Rodriguez has yielded just five earned runs in his last 17 1/3 innings.

The Indians have set their rotation to begin the second half of the season. Trevor Bauer will get the ball in the first game after the All-Star break, with Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco to wrap-up the road series with the Reds. Danny Salazar will take the mound in the series-opener against the Brewers on July 21, with Cody Anderson going on Wednesday, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group. 

The last time Indians starter Carlos Carrasco didn't experience the bitter or sweet fruits of his labor, it was around Labor Day. That is, in 2014.

Carrasco got a no-decision Saturday against Oakland for the first time in 23 starts. Not that he didn't deserve a win - he gave up just two runs on six hits in seven innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. But his bat-wielding teammates simply didn't come through.

A double, single and sacrifice fly in the first got him off on the wrong foot, but he then shut the Athletics out until an Ike Davis double scored another in the seventh.

Carrasco rebounded nicely from a miserable outing Monday, which came after his near-no hitter in his previous start. He lowered his ERA to 4.07 with his strong effort Saturday.

Mariners left-hander James Paxton isn't exactly flying through his rehab from a strained left middle finger.

Paxton, who has been sidelined since the end of May, is still feeling soreness. There is no timetable for his return. He has only played light catch and has not been cleared for bullpen session. He will need at least a month, simulated games and a minor league rehab stint before he can return.

That means he is likely to remain out until late August or early September.

"It's a process," Lloyd McLendon told MLB.com. "It's going to take a while."