MLB Player News

Rocker (2-8) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings.

Rocker gave up the seven runs on a trio of homers, including a grand slam off the bat of LaMonte Wade. That was out of character for the right-hander this season, as he entered Saturday with a 1.0 HR/9 and having yielded no more than two long balls in any outing. The seven earned runs and eight hits allowed were also season-worst marks for Rocker, who has had a very up-and-down campaign. He heads into the All-Star break with a 4.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 80:34 K:BB over 90 innings spanning 18 appearances (16 starts).

Lambert (8-5) allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings to earn the win over Texas on Saturday.

The only run Lambert allowed came on an Ezequiel Duran home run in the fourth inning. Beyond that, the Rangers collected just two other hits (both singles) against him and struck out seven times. Lambert finished with his sixth quality start of the season and collected his eighth victory -- as many as he recorded over his first four MLB campaigns combined. The right-hander seems to have benefitted from his year in Japan last season, as he's become a vital part of Houston's injury-plagued rotation. Through 15 starts, he holds a strong 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 81:33 K:BB over 86 innings.

Cameron (5-7) took the loss against Baltimore on Sunday, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over seven innings.

Cameron allowed a modest seven baserunners in his seven frames, but three of those rounded the bases on home runs. It was the second time this year that the left-hander has served up three homers in a game, but on a more positive note, he also struck out a season-high nine batters. Cameron has improved his strikeout rate over his rookie campaign, but he's otherwise had a shaky first half, posting a 4.89 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 95.2 innings spanning 18 starts.

Schlittler took a no-decision Saturday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

It looked like a rough day was brewing for Schlittler, who served up a pair of first-inning solo home runs, but he settled in and silenced the Washington bats the rest of the way. The four walks were a season-worst figure, though it didn't end up biting him Saturday. The All-Star right-hander is now up to 12 quality starts already this year. Schlittler trails only Dylan Cease's 148 strikeouts for the American League lead in the category, sporting a 2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 137:25 K:BB over 118.2 innings.

Ryan didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Angels, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander continues to have trade rumors circling his head, but Ryan didn't let it bother him Saturday, delivering his 12th quality start of the season on 94 pitches (61 strikes). He was in line for his seventh win of the year, but the Twins' bullpen let the lead slip away in the top of the seventh before the Minnesota offense surged ahead for good. Ryan has fired two straight quality starts and will take a 2.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 128:25 K:BB through 110.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Javier will start for the Astros on Sunday versus Texas, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier will take the mound for Houston's final game before the All-Star break after coming out of the bullpen in his previous two outings following a nearly three-month stint on the injured list. While the right-hander threw only 39 and 30 pitches, respectively, in those two relief appearances, he worked up to 85 pitches and six innings during a five-game rehab assignment, so his start Sunday could last several frames. Manager Joe Espada said after Javier returned from the IL that his move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, so it's possible that the 29-year-old hurler will remain in the rotation following the break if he fares well Sunday. However, all of Ronel Blanco (elbow), Lance McCullers (shoulder) and Hayden Wesneski (elbow) are in the midst of rehab assignments and could be ready to come off the IL by the end of July.

Johnson didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Twins, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out one.

The 23-year-old righty served up another homer, this one a two-run shot by Royce Lewis in the second inning, but Johnson was taken off the hook for the loss when the Angels tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh. Johnson has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four straight outings, posting a 4.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 20 innings, but even that shaky ERA hides five unearned runs. With Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) potentially back by the end of July, Johnson's may not last long in the big-league rotation following the All-Star break.

Gore will serve as the Rangers' starting pitcher against Houston on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gore last pitched Wednesday against the Angels, so he'll be working on only three days of rest. Texas manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Gore approached him and offered to take the mound in what was otherwise looking like it might be a bullpen game for the team. Gore tossed 90 pitches in his previous start, so he may have his workload monitored Sunday in the Rangers' final contest before the All-Star break. Given that Texas will then have four days off, Gore's start Sunday won't necessarily impact his usual slotting in the rotation.

Fedde (5-6) picked up the win in Saturday's 1-0 victory over the A's, allowing two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings of relief. He struck out three.

Entering the game to begin the third inning after opener Bryan Hudson and Chris Murphy had worked a frame each, Fedde kept the combined shutout going over 55 pitches (33 strikes). The veteran right-hander has found success in a sheltered bulk-relief role, and since the beginning of June has delivered a 2.27 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through 35.2 innings over eight outings.

Bradish (6-9) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings.

Bradish retired the side in order in five of his first six frames and carried a no-hitter into the seventh. He finally wilted a bit in that inning, as the Royals tallied two singles and a walk to score a run and force his exit with two outs. Nonetheless, Bradish snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up his second straight quality start (and his fourth over his past five outings). The right-hander will carry a 6-9 record into the All-Star break, but his other stats suggest he's pitched better than that, as he has a 3.61 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 106:50 K:BB across 107.1 innings spanning 19 starts.