MLB Player News

Mahle (elbow) struck out four over 4.2 innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock.

Making what could be his final rehab start before being activated from the 60-day injured list, Mahle tossed 74 pitches (48 strikes) and sported a four-seam fastball that sat around 92-93 mph for most of the night before dipping into the upper 80s in the fourth and fifth innings. Though Mahle's most recent two rehab starts weren't as sharp as his first four, he's likely done enough to prove that he's healthy again coming off Tommy John surgery and ready to join the big-league rotation. Mahle, who signed a two-year, $22 million contract this winter, could make his Rangers debut as soon as Monday versus the Astros in Arlington.

Estes is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Dodgers in Oakland.

Estes had started in each of his first 13 appearances with the Athletics this season before he was deployed for 2.2 innings of relief this past Friday against the Angels behind starter Paul Blackburn, who was lifted after five innings in his first outing back from the 60-day injured list. The Athletics traded Blackburn to the Mets on Tuesday, so Estes' brief run in the bullpen will come to an end as he reclaims the vacated rotation spot.

Kikuchi is scheduled to make his first start with the Astros on Friday versus the Rays in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros didn't need to open up a spot in their rotation for Kikuchi, as fifth starter Jake Bloss was sent back to Toronto along with outfielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner in Monday's trade that landed the veteran southpaw in Houston. Kikuchi had cruised to a 2.64 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while delivering quality starts in six of his first 10 outings with Toronto this season, but aside from a career-best 13-strikeout effort July 9 in San Francisco, he had often been knocked around by opposing lineups over the past two months before being traded. He posted a strong 69:17 K:BB in 57.2 innings in his final 12 starts with Toronto but he also gave up 13 home runs during that stretch, which led to an inflated 6.87 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

Rodriguez will start Sunday's road game against the Yankees, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

After posting a 2.01 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his first four starts of July, Rodriguez unraveled in his latest outing Monday. Taking the hill for Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Orioles, Rodriguez failed to escape the first inning while exhibiting a complete loss of control. He spotted just 21 of his 43 pitches for strikes and recorded two outs while allowing four runs (three earned) on four walks and one hit. Toronto optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo following the outing, only to recall him Tuesday as a replacement for Yusei Kikuchi, who was traded to Houston. Despite the rough outing Monday, Rodriguez will stick in the rotation for another turn, though he might have a shorter leash. Bowden Francis started the second game of Monday's doubleheader and tossed 5.2 innings of three-run ball, and while he's not in line to start this weekend against the Yankees, the Blue Jays could elect to have him piggyback with Rodriguez if the latter struggles to find the strike zone early on in Sunday's contest.

Thorpe (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings as the White Sox were downed 10-3 by the Royals. He failed to strike out a batter.

The rookie right-hander got tagged for at least one run in each of the first three innings, with a two-run shot by Freddy Fermin in the second being the biggest blow. Thorpe reeled off five straight quality starts at one point, but over his last two outings he's been crushed for 14 runs in only 5.2 innings, sending his ERA soaring from 3.03 to 5.48. He'll try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Oakland.

Singer (8-6) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings in a 10-3 rout of the White Sox. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The right-hander gave up three straight hits to lead off the bottom of the second inning, with all three Chicago runners eventually coming around to score, but otherwise Singer held the opposition in check as he collected his third straight win and fourth in his last five outings. The 27-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, posting a 2.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB through 54 innings over that stretch. Singer will look to extend his win streak in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come early next week at home against the Red Sox.

Lopez (10-7) picked up the win Wednesday in an 8-3 victory over the Mets, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 103 pitches (66 strikes), and his only real mistake on the afternoon got driven down the right-field line by Mark Vientos in the second inning for a two-run homer. Lopez has allowed two runs or less in six of his last seven starts, posting a 2.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 55:10 K:BB through 44 innings over that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the Cubs.

Rodriguez (13-4) earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

After a strong start to his day, Rodriguez seemed to fade a bit late, allowing a run in each of his final four frames. However, he'd ultimately hang on for his fifth win in his last eight outings. The 24-year-old right-hander has been a bit shaky recently, allowing 13 earned runs in his last 22 innings. Overall, Rodriguez sports a 3.86 ERA across 20 starts (116.2 innings) this year with a 1.24 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB. He's currently in line for a rematch with Toronto on the road in his next outing.

Cortes (5-9) earned the win Wednesday over the Phillies, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Cortes' name came up in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, but the left-hander ultimately remained with the Yankees and he rewarded them with a strong outing Wednesday. Cortes held the Phillies without a hit through three innings before giving up a pair of runs in the fourth followed by a Weston Wilson solo homer in the fifth. However, the Yankees would hang on for a 6-5 victory, giving Cortes his first win since June 18. The 29-year-old Cortes now sports a 4.16 ERA on the season with a 1.20 WHIP and 122:28 K:BB across 129.2 innings. He's currently lined up to face the Angels at home in his next outing.

Bradley (6-5) took the loss Wednesday against Miami, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out six.

Bradley was stung by the long ball Tuesday -- after giving up a solo homer to Jonah Bride in the second inning, the right-hander surrendered a two-run shot to Jake Burger in the third that put the Rays in a 4-2 hole. Bradley hadn't allowed more than two runs in nine straight starts prior to Wednesday -- he'd pitched to a stellar 0.82 ERA in that span (55 innings). Overall, the 23-year-old Bradley now sports a 2.71 ERA on the year with a 1.01 WHIP and 103:28 K:BB across 15 outings (86.1 innings). He'll look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for early next week in St. Louis.