MLB Player News

Suarez (3-2) yielded five runs on 10 hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Astros.

Suarez got off to a rocky start when the Astros plated four runs in the first inning, beginning with Jose Altuve's leadoff shot on Suarez's first pitch of the afternoon. Suarez was 3-0 through 14 appearances but has now taken back-to-back losses. Over his last two starts, he's been tagged with eight runs in 8.2 innings, bumping his season ERA from 1.61 to 2.70 through 49.2 frames. Part of his recent struggles can be attributed to his command issues, as he's walked 11 batters over his last three starts. Suarez is currently in line for a home matchup against the Rangers.

Valdez (6-5) allowed a run on six hits and two walks over seven innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win against Baltimore.

Valdez rolled through five shutout frames without facing too much trouble before Jordan Westburg belted a solo shot in the sixth inning. The Astros gave Valdez plenty of run support as he halted a brief two-start losing streak. It was the third time this year he's struck out at least seven batters, and each of those outings have come in his last eight starts. He's produced an impressive 2.73 ERA through 33 innings this month, lowering his season mark to 3.68 across 80.2 frames. Valdez will carry a 63:26 K:BB into his next outing, which is projected to be on the road against the Mets.

Cortes (4-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings against Atlanta. He struck out seven.

Cortes mostly held the Atlanta bats in check to put together his third consecutive quality start and the ninth time this season he's struck out six or more batters, but the Yankees failed to provide any run support and Cortes was left with his sixth loss. Outside of a solo home run by Jarred Kelenic in the third, Cortes' only real trouble came in the fifth, when he allowed two runs on three hits. However, he finished his day strong by retiring all six batters faced in the sixth and seventh. Cortes has tossed 100.2 innings across 17 starts, accumulating 93 strikeouts. He'll take a 3.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to take place when the Yankees head to Toronto for a four-game weekend set against the division-rival Blue Jays.

Brubaker (elbow) tossed three scoreless innings and struck out two in his first rehab start Wednesday with Single-A Tampa Bay. He gave up two hits and no walks.

Making his first appearance in affiliated ball since October 2022 following a prolonged recovery from Tommy John surgery, Brubaker exhibited few signs of rust Wednesday, albeit while matching up against a lineup of lower-level Cardinals prospects. Given that Brubaker handled three innings and 22 pitches in the rehab start, the Yankees are seemingly preparing to build him up as a rotation option once he returns from the 60-day injured list. At the moment, the Yankees don't have an opening in the rotation, and if little changes on that front over the next few weeks, Brubaker will likely be optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after he completes his rehab assignment.

Civale did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.

Civale was pulled after having tossed a season-low 61 pitches over five effective innings, with the only blemish coming in the form of a Bryan Reynolds fourth-inning solo homer. It appears this was more of a managerial decision due to the heat and the Pirates having the top of the order coming up for a third time as opposed to any type of distress for Civale, who rebounded from his previous outing when he was chased after failing to complete four innings. Civale has struck out 79 in 76.1 innings this season and will carry a 5.42 ERA and 1.39 WHIP into his next start, currently slated to take place next weekend when the Rays welcome the Nationals to Tampa for a three-game set.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that an MRI on Bloss's right shoulder revealed inflammation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday and will refrain from throwing for at least a few days until the swelling subsides. He sustained the injury in his major-league debut against the Orioles on Friday, when he was removed after giving up two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings.

The Rangers activated Scherzer (back/thumb) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start in Sunday's series finale against the Royals.

Scherzer will make his season debut Sunday after having his start Saturday pushed back in favor of Jon Gray. Scherzer began the season on the injured list following offseason back surgery, and his rehab assignment was delayed due to separate thumb and forearm issues. In his last rehab start June 15, Scherzer allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over 4.2 innings. Sunday's start should provide clarity on whether the 39-year-old right-hander will work under any restrictions in his first big-league action since Game 3 of the 2023 World Series in October.

Bido did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the Twins, firing five relief innings during which he allowed two runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out six and also hit a batter.

Bido was making only his second appearance with the Athletics and first of his current big-league stint with the club, which officially began Friday with a promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas. Bido's extensive experience as a starter -- both in the minors and with the Pirates last season -- came in very handy when JP Sears was chased without even completing two innings. Bido spared the rest of the bullpen while coming just an inning short of what would have qualified as the equivalent of a quality start. The right-hander is likely to be utilized in similar low-leverage, multi-inning roles during this time with the A's.

Plesac (1-1) was tagged with the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

Plesac managed to get through the first two innings unscathed before unraveling in the third. The right-hander allowed three consecutive hits to open the frame, two of which went for home runs, and needed 32 pitches to get through the inning. He's now allowed multiple home runs in each of his first two starts while posting just one strikeout in both outings. Whether or not Plesac sticks around the Angels' rotation for another start remains to be seen, though he certainly didn't help his chances with Saturday's performance.

Eflin (3-5) took the loss Saturday as the Rays were downed 4-3 by the Pirates, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out six.

Pittsburgh stung the right-hander for a run in the first inning and three more in the third, and while Eflin settled in after that, the Tampa Bay offense wasn't able to put together a comeback. Eflin's last quality start came May 7, and in six outings since then, he's stumbled to a 4.86 ERA despite a 1.17 WHIP and 24:2 K:BB in 33.1 innings. He'll look to turn things around in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Nationals.