MLB Player News

Good was not good enough for Astros premier starter Dallas Keuchel in Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Keuchel allowed a two-run single to ninth hitter Rene Rivera in the second inning and Brandon Guyer followed with another RBI hit. That was the extent of the damage on the afternoon, but his teammates couldn't answer and Keuchel was saddled with his first defeat since June 20.

He finished having surrendered three runs on seven hits in seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Keuchel owns a 2.23 ERA.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi continued to provide the bullpen with plenty of work Saturday, but he again kept his team in the game against Houston.

The result was a win in which he pitched shutout ball for 5 2/3 innings with two hits, three walks and five strikeouts to even his record at 5-5.

Odorizzi cruised through the first three innings, but loaded the bases in the fourth before retiring Hank Conger on a foulout. It was his only jam of the night, but he wasn't totally satisfied.

"I think at some points in the game I got too cute with [my offspeed stuff] and I threw it a little too much and got behind, which caused me to walk guys," Odorizzi told MLB.com. "If I execute a few good pitches there, it's a different story. I just wasn't executing too many of them, but I was able to make good pitches when it counted."

Odorizzi has surrendered three runs or less in seven of his last eight starts and has lowered his ERA to a fine 2.30.

White Sox ace Chris Sale apparently didn't like having his 10-strikeout streak ended Monday. So he started a new one Saturday.

Sale fanned 10 in seven innings to frustrate the crosstown Cubs. He allowed one run on six hits and one walk in snagging a second straight win, raising his record to 8-4 and shrinking his ERA to 2.72, its lowest point since April 23.

The left-hander didn't get the Cubs out in order until the fifth, but did retire nine straight at one point. An RBI double by pinch-hitter Jonathan Herrera ruined his shutout.

Despite it all, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper was unimpressed. He's gotten spoiled.

"Obviously he pitched a good game, but I've seen him better," Cooper told MLB.com. "I'll take this every time, but I've seen him better."

Sale has given up just four runs in his last 24 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts over three starts.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander lasted a season-high 7 2/3 innings, but a seven-run Minnesota rally against the bullpen cost him a win. 

Verlander took a no-decision and remained winless on the year at 0-2. He allowed a season-low one run on five hits and struck out a season-high six. 

The Rays have optioned pitcher Andrew Bellatti to Triple-A Durham, the Tampa Tribune is reporting.

Bellatti's departure will make room for pitcher Jake Odorizzi on the roster. Odorizzi is slated to return to the team on Saturday after landing on the disabled list with an oblique strain on June 9.

White Sox starter Carlos Rodon walked six batters in six shutout innings, Friday against the Cubs. 

The half dozen walks matched a career high for Rodon, as did the six scoreless innings, settling for a no-decision. 

Rodon allowed two hits and struck out six. He threw 104 pitches, topping the century mark for the fourth straight start and eighth time in 11 starts. Despite the high pitch count, he's only pitched into the seventh inning once over that span. 

The Mariners recalled left-hander Vidal Nuno from Triple-A Tacoma, the team announced on Thursday. Nuno was sent down to the minors last weekend, and made one start with Tacoma on Sunday. He allowed four runs in six innings of work.

The Mariners have not declared if Nuno is up to make a spot start, of if he will be working out of the bullpen.

Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez will start the team's first game after the All-Star break against the Orioles, according to MLive.com. He will be followed in the three-game series by David Price and Justin Verlander.

The Royals recalled pitcher Brandon Finnegan from Triple-A on Thursday, reports MLB.com. Finnegan went 2-0 with a 2.21 ERA in 20 1/3 innings earlier this season.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister confirmed Wednesday that starting pitcher Martin Perez (elbow) will not be activated before the All-Star break, per The Dallas Morning News. He will make a sixth start on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Perez can remain on a rehab assignment until July 22. He has posted a 3.66 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through five starts between Double-A and Triple-A. He has posted 21 strikeouts and three walks in 19 2/3 innings.