MLB Player News

Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi won his second straight decision and fourth in his last five, Friday over Houston. 

Eovaldi improved to 7-2, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out six, matching his highest total since April 15. 

It was a homecoming for Eovaldi, who grew up about 30 miles away. "It was big. I had a lot of friends and family here tonight," Eovaldi said. "It was just a big game. A lot of emotions. [I was] just trying not to let them get the best of me, and go out there and locate my pitches." he said. 

White Sox starter Jose Quintana gave up a career-high 11 hits over six innings. He surrendered just  three runs, however, and escaped with a no-decision on Friday. 

Quintana received run support, a rarity for him this season. The Sox hit three home runs and scored four runs, the most they've given Quintana since May 13. 

"They have a pretty good lineup, and they are hot. They've had a lot of hits," Quintana said. "But I tried to get my outs. Try to get the game close, but that happens and come back tomorrow."

Indians starter Corey Kluber struck out 10 over seven innings but settled for a no-decision against Baltimore on Friday. 

Kluber allowed three runs on seven hits. He had his 16th game with 10 or more strikeouts since the start of 2014, which ties Chris Sale for the most in MLB over that span. 

"I don't really care about the numbers other than our team's win-loss record," Kluber said.

Kluber will finish a winless month of June. He hasn't won since May 28, going 0-4 in five starts since. 

Mariners pitcher James Paxton played catch before Friday's game. 

It was Paxton's first throwing session since going on the disabled list with a sprained finger on his left hand at the end of May, per MLB.com. 

Twins right-hander Ricky Nolasco threw a bullpen session at Target Field on Friday. Nolasco was wearing his orthotic inserts, which he has been using in his recovery from an ankle impingement.

However, manager Paul Molitor said the session "did not go well", according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. 

Nolasco has been on the disabled list since early June, and there is currently no timetable for his return to the rotation. 

Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly will throw off the mound Saturday for the first time since being shut down with a torn labrum in early May.

Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander has declared his back to be better and added that he's shooting to make his scheduled start Tuesday against Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole, per the Detroit Free Press.

Verlander made just two starts in his return from injury before going down again. Neither was particularly impressive - he owns a 6.17 ERA with four home runs allowed in 11 2/3 innings.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said following Thursday's game against the Astros a final decision on who will be removed from the rotation won't be made until the team's next off-day Thursday, according to MLB.com.

With Ivan Nova returning from the disabled list, the Yankees have gone to a six-man rotation for the time being. Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia appear to have rotations spots secured, leaving Nova, Nathan Eovaldi and Adam Warren fighting for the final two spots.

Although, all signs seem to point to Adam Warren moving to the bullpen since he's had success in a relief role at the major-league level.

"He's pitched as well as anyone in our rotation," Girardi said before Thursday's game. "As I've said, we don't need to make a decision right now. I'm not worried about making a decision right now. I know there's a lot of people around here who want me to make a decision right now, but that's not going to happen.

"There are a lot of things that can happen between now and when we get back from Anaheim. There just is. Let's just see how guys are doing and we'll make a decision."

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel was in dominant form against the Yankees on Thursday. The left-hander posted a complete-game shutout, recording a career-high 12 strikeouts along the way. He gave up four hits and one walk, as he was in complete control for most of this one.

After retiring 15 batters in a row, Keuchel got into trouble in the ninth inning, as he loaded the bases with a walk and two singles. But, after a meeting on the mound by manager A.J. Hinch, Keuchel was able to work out of the jam to finish the masterpiece with 116 pitches.

"I haven't been here a long time, but that's probably as good as I've seen Dallas Keuchel," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch, per MLB.com. "His ball was moving all over the place tonight, which made them have to be aggressive and he had really, really good put away pitches that ended at-bats in his favor."

Keuchel improved to 9-3 and lowered his ERA to 2.17 on the season. 

White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon allowed four earned runs in a no-decision during Thursday afternoon's 8-7 win over the Tigers. 

Rodon gave up two early earned runs in the first inning the high-scoring affair. Rodon has now allowed 13 earned runs over his past three starts, making this the worst three-game stretch of his season. 

Rodon gave up eight hits, struck out seven batters and walked three on 104 pitches.

"Pitch count was a little high. I wish I could have gone a little longer, but we played well and we hit the ball, so that's great," Rodon said, via MLB.com. "That's all I can do is to go as long as I can to try and keep the lead or keep it tied. Let the bats do the work, and they'll take it from there."