MLB Player News

Flexen (2-8) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Flexen allowed a run in the first inning and was charged with another as an inherited runner came around to score in the seventh. He yielded 10 hard-hit balls on 78 pitches but was able to limit the damage and has now logged three consecutive quality starts despite failing to record a win in any of them. The 30-year-old will take a 4.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 71:36 K:BB across 97 innings into the All-Star break.

Montero did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning win against the Dodgers, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Montero allowed the first batter he faced to reach base in four of five innings and yielded runs in the first, third and fifth frames. He had logged back-to-back quality starts but has now surrendered at least four earned runs in his three other outings this season. The rookie will take an uninspiring 5.47 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 26.1 innings into the All-Star break.

The Orioles optioned Povich to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Povich allowed three earned runs in 5.1 innings during his latest start Friday and was saddled with his third loss in his last four outings. He now owns a 6.27 ERA through his first seven career MLB starts, so he'll head back to the minor leagues in order to right the ship. It's unclear who will fill the open spot in Baltimore's rotation, but for now the team will opt for bullpen depth in right-hander Vinny Nittoli.

Dunning (shoulder) will pitch in a rehab game at Double-A Frisco on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's unclear whether Dunning will need to pitch in any more games before returning from the injured list, but he is still seemingly on pace to return to the Rangers' bullpen immediately after or shortly after the All-Star break.

Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sunday will mark the first time Verlander has thrown off a mound since a neck injury forced him to the IL on June 18. He's only expected to reach 10-to-15 pitches during his session, but it's still a sign that the veteran right-hander is trending in the right direction. He remains without a firm timetable for his return, though he will likely need some time to build back up to a starter's workload.

The Athletics placed Medina on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right elbow sprain.

Medina allowed six earned runs in five innings during his latest start Thursday, and it's possible his elbow injury contributed to his poor performance. He'll remain sidelined until at least July 28, and Michel Otanez will come up from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open spot in Oakland's pitching staff.

Prielipp (elbow) threw two scoreless innings for Minnesota's FCL team Friday. It was his first appearance since July 2023 UCL repair surgery.

Prielipp has struggled with elbow issues since he was taken with the 48th overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft. He had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and threw only 28 innings during his time in college at Alabama. When working his way back from Tommy John surgery, he had a setback in April 2023. He then underwent a UCL repair with the inclusion of an internal brace last July. He'll likely have a slow ramp-up during his rehab the rest of the season.

Cannon (1-3) took the loss Friday as the White Sox were downed 4-1 by the Pirates, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over six relief innings. He struck out four.

Starter Garrett Crochet was on a strict pitch count and got the hook after two perfect innings, but Cannon was able to save the rest of the bullpen by tossing 92 pitches (57 strikes). Manager Pedro Grifol has indicated that Crochet's workload is going to be monitored the rest of the way, or at least for as long as the southpaw is with the White Sox, and with Mike Clevinger (elbow) close to coming off the IL, Cannon could remain the first option to work in tandem with Crochet in a piggyback role. Through 51 innings in the majors this season, the rookie right-hander has a 4.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB.

Crochet didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Pirates, striking out four in two perfect innings.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol had indicated Crochet would be on a pitch count for this outing, but the extremely quick hook kept the left-hander from putting together what might have been an exceptional performance -- he fired 22 of 28 pitches for strikes before exiting, including seven swinging strikes. Chicago is focused on Crochet's long-term health, or at least in keeping him healthy until the trade deadline, and the 25-year-old isn't expected to take the mound again until July 23 on the road against the Rangers.

Brown (7-6) picked up the win in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander rebounded from a rough outing in Minnesota on July 6 to deliver his 10th quality start of the year. Brown has lasted at least six innings in 10 straight trips to the mound, posting a 2.36 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 64:17 K:BB through 61 innings over that stretch as he puts his shaky first month of the campaign further behind him.