MLB Player News

Young (4-1) earned the win against Toronto on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four across 6.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Young was solid for most of Friday's start, limiting the Blue Jays to just one run through four innings before yielding a two-run homer to Brandon Valenzuela in the fifth. Young stayed in the game and pitched into the seventh frame, ending his night with 64 strikes on 85 pitches (75.3 percent strike rate) while logging seven groundouts and 22 first-pitch strikes (to 25 batters). He has registered three consecutive quality starts and is up to four on the season, which has Young sitting at a 3.47 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 37:17 K:BB across 49.1 innings. He's slated to make his next start next week at home against the Mariners.

Yesavage (2-3) took the loss against the Orioles on Friday, allowing six runs on fits hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

Yesavage was excellent through the first five innings of Friday's start outside of a solo home run that he yielded to Adley Rutschman in the first. Yesavage was brought back out for the sixth, but he did not come away with the quality start after giving up five runs in the frame, with his night coming to an end after giving up a two-run homer to Coby Mayo. Yesavage has allowed at least five runs in two of his last three starts and sits at a 3.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season. His next start is slated for next weekend at home against the Yankees.

Rasmussen (5-2) earned the win against the Marlins on Friday, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out nine across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

Rasmussen was looking to bounce back from his last outing against the Angels on Saturday, when he gave up five runs over four innings. He did so in convincing fashion Friday, limiting the Marlins to just one baserunner while logging a season-high nine strikeouts. It was the sixth quality start of the season for Rasmussen, whose 0.92 WHIP over 66 innings is second-best in the American League among qualified starters, behind only Cam Schlittler (0.86). Rasmussen is slated to make his next start next week at home against the Red Sox.

Weathers (2-4) took the loss against Boston on Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four across six innings.

It was the fourth time in 12 starts this season that Weathers has given up five runs, three of which have come over his last four outings. He had some command issues Friday with just 11 first-pitch strikes to 26 batters, and it was the fourth time this season that he gave up at least two home runs in a game. Weathers' recent form has him sitting at a 3.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 70 innings this season, and his 79 strikeouts are tied for sixth-most in the American League. He's lined up to face the Guardians on the road next week.

Gray (7-1) earned the win against the Yankees on Friday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across 6.1 innings.

Friday's outing was far from Gray's best outing of the season, with his eight hits being his most allowed in a game since April 14 against the Twins (nine). He gave up a solo home run to Ben Rice in the first inning before yielding another solo shot in the fifth to Trent Grisham, but Gray managed to limit the damage to three runs and came away with his sixth quality start of the season (and fourth over his last five starts) while tossing only 79 pitches. The veteran right-hander sits at a 3.20 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB across 56.1 innings this season, and his seven wins are tied for third-most in the American League behind Gavin Williams (nine) and Davis Martin (eight). Gray's next start is slated for next week on the road against the Rays.

The Angels selected Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Natera has pitched well out of the bullpen in Triple-A, where he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB across 30 innings. He'll now get a shot with the Angels, and Natera's first call to the mound will officially be his major-league debut. The move corresponds with the Angels designating right-hander Shaun Anderson for assignment.

Kremer (quadriceps) threw a live bullpen session earlier in the week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz noted Friday that Kremer has been progressing well in his recovery from a right quadriceps strain that landed the right-hander on the 15-day injured list in late April. He was transferred to the 60-day IL last Friday, and depending on when he embarks on a rehab assignment, Kremer could be back with the big club in mid-to-late June. Prior to his injury, Kremer had a 4.09 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 11 innings.

Bassitt (back) is travelling to rejoin the Orioles in Toronto on Friday and could make his next start Monday against the Mariners, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt was pulled from his last start Thursday against the Red Sox due to lower-back tightness. He was initially held back in Baltimore to have his injury examined, but it looks like the veteran right-hander will not miss a start in the rotation, barring any setbacks. Over his last five starts, Bassitt has a 4.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB across 24.1 innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Friday that the team is weighing its options on whether Brown (shoulder) will need one more rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown made his third rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Sugar Land, when he tossed 57 pitches (38 strikes) and allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.1 innings. Espada relayed that he felt good about Brown's latest rehab outing, and a decision about whether the 27-year-old right-hander will make his next start in the majors should be made within the next couple of days. Brown is nearly fully recovered from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain that was severe enough for him to be placed on the IL in early April.

Manager John Schneider said Friday that Cease (hamstring) is "very likely" to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Cease threw 75 pitches across four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday and came out of it feeling good. He appears likely to make the start for Toronto on Tuesday at home against the Phillies. The right-hander last pitched for the Blue Jays on May 24 and owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 92:26 K:BB across 62 innings this season.