MLB Player News

Williams (2-6) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.

Williams was locked in a pitcher's duel early against Gerrit Cole but was tagged by an Aaron Judge solo blast in the fourth inning, then was pulled after a couple of batters reached base in the fifth, both of whom came around to score. Combined with the Guardians' moribund bats, it was more than enough damage for Williams to be handed his sixth loss. Williams has now failed to make it through the fifth inning in three of his last four appearances, tallying a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 18.1 innings during that stretch. With a banged-up bullpen and a playoff push ahead for Cleveland, they'll continue to rely upon Williams to regain his form during the stretch run. He'll look to bounce back during his next start, slated to take place at home against the Royals.

Scherzer (shoulder) will no longer make a rehab start Friday with Double-A Frisco as previously scheduled, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer has been on the shelf since Aug. 2 with right shoulder fatigue, but he had received the green light to begin a rehab assignment after he initially responded well to a nerve injection administered a little under two weeks ago. The right-hander seems to have since suffered a setback this week, so the Rangers will at least temporarily press pause on the rehab assignment. He's now without a clear timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list, but the Rangers could shed more light on Scherzer's condition and his next steps over the weekend.

Cole (5-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing one hit while walking five over six scoreless frames against the Guardians. He struck out two.

Cole allowed a leadoff single to Steven Kwan that represented the only hit of the game for the Guardians. However, Cole battled his command all day, tossing just 55 strikes over 95 pitches while issuing a season-high five walks. He also matched a season high by completing six frames and collected his third quality start of the season. Cole entered the game having allowed just one run with 18 strikeouts in 11.1 innings over his last two appearances, so while the opportunity for more was available Thursday, he still leaves the outing with two wins, 20 strikeouts and a 0.52 ERA in his past three starts. He's next slated to take the hill when the Yankees travel to Washington to take on the Nationals.

Canning is in line to serve as a bulk reliever in Thursday's contest against the Blue Jays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Canning has a 9.36 ERA and has surrendered nine home runs in 123 plate appearances in the first inning this season, so the Angels are trying something new with the right-hander. He will follow opener Brock Burke, who will presumably work an inning or two before giving way to Canning.

Eflin (shoulder) said Thursday that he expects to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on Sept. 1, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Eflin landed on the IL on Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation but said Thursday that he already feels "10 times better" and doesn't believe he will need any rehab starts before returning. The righty has not yet resumed throwing, so while his comments Thursday are encouraging, Eflin's return when first eligible can't be written down in ink just yet.

The Orioles optioned Rogers to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Baltimore obviously saw something in Rogers to the point that it surrendered a surprisingly hefty trade package to acquire him at the deadline, but the club has been unable to fix him. In fact, Rogers has been much worse for the Orioles than he had been with the Marlins this season, collecting a 7.11 ERA and 12:10 K:BB over 19 innings covering four starts since joining his new team. With Rogers out of the picture, Cole Irvin and Cade Povich will continue getting starts for the Orioles, at least until Zach Eflin (shoulder) and/or Grayson Rodriguez (lat) return from the injured list.

The Guardians optioned Cantillo to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

While making his fourth start of the season for the Guardians on Wednesday against the Yankees, Cantillo was dealt a third consecutive loss after yielding seven earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings. Despite being optioned to Columbus, Cantillo could still be a candidate to get called up again Monday, when the Guardians will require two starting pitchers for a doubleheader with the Royals. However, with Cantillo now owning an 8.47 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 17 innings with the big club, the Guardians could be compelled to go in a different direction.

Gilbert (7-10) took the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Gilbert retired the first eight batters he faced in the contest before a fielding error from Leo Rivas caused the first runner to reach for the Dodgers. The right-hander would then allow a two-run double to Mookie Betts before surrendering another six runs over the next two frames. It marked Gilbert's shortest outing this month after previously going at least six innings in three straight starts. He's now lost five of his last six starts, posting a 4.89 ERA over that stretch to go along with a 38:6 K:BB.

Thorpe (forearm) threw from 60 feet on Aug. 15, MLB.com reports.

The White Sox haven't provided many updates in regards to Thorpe's status, though he appears to be making progress. It's unclear if he'll be able to return this season, but if he does it would only be for a couple of starts.

Rodriguez came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Reds, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

The Blue Jays' offense handed Rodriguez a 6-0 lead through three innings, but the right-hander couldn't make it hold up. He got the hook after 87 pitches (51 strikes), and he's failed to complete five innings in three of his last five trips to the mound, stumbling to a 5.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings over that stretch. Toronto came into the season expecting to have to monitor Rodriguez's workload after he didn't pitch at all in 2023 and handled a relief role in Japan the three years prior, and while injuries have limited him to only 80 innings so far in 2024 between Triple-A Buffalo and the majors, he could be running out of gas.