MLB Player News

Lively (7-3) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Lively bounced back from his shortest start of the year by getting back into the win column. He hasn't struck out more than five batters in any of his last five outings, but he's generally been good at limiting damage, as he's given up two or fewer runs in nine of his 12 starts. The right-hander is at a 3.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:20 K:BB through 65.1 innings this season, though he's also been tagged for 10 home runs, including two in Saturday's start. Lively is projected to make his next appearance at Kansas City.

Maeda (2-4) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Maeda tossed three scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the fourth. He then yielded two hits in the fifth before being pulled at 92 pitches, and an inherited runner scored on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn. Maeda has not registered a quality start since May 1 and has only completed five or more innings in six of his 13 starts this season. The 36-year-old owns a 6.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB over 54 innings and lines up to face the Angels next week.

Thorpe (1-1) earned the win against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.

Thorpe turned in the best start of his young major-league career, earning his first win in the process. He leaned on his changeup, throwing it 38 times and generating an impressive 10 swinging strikes on the pitch. The rookie walked four batters after yielding five free passes June 16 and owns an unimpressive 9:11 K:BB with a 5.02 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 14.1 innings with the White Sox. He lines up for a home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Sandoval was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left elbow strain.

Sandoval's move to the IL comes after he was lifted in the third inning of his start Friday against the Dodgers with what was initially labeled left forearm tightness. While he's eligible to return from the IL on July 7, the Angels could opt to play it safe with the 27-year-old and hold him out until the All-Star break. Guillermo Zuniga was called up from Triple-A Salt in a corresponding move, though he'll head to the bullpen and won't be a replacement in the rotation for Sandoval.

Garcia (elbow) threw a live bullpen session Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Garcia will begin a minor-league rehab assignment if the right-hander responds well to Saturday's session. Garcia is in the latter stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. In his last full season in 2022 with the Astros, Garcia went 15-8 over 28 starts with a 3.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 157:47 K:BB across 157.1 innings.

The Astros placed Bloss on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder discomfort.

Bloss was lifted from Friday's 14-11 win over the Orioles after allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings in his major-league debut. The Astros recalled right-hander Luis Contreras from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Dunning will move to the bullpen with Max Scherzer (back) set to return Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Across 12 starts this season, Dunning holds a 4-6 record with a 4.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB across 59 innings, though he's given up 11 runs over his last three starts and has failed to make it to the sixth inning since April 7 against the Astros. Dunning could prove to be more effective out the bullpen in long relief while starting on occasion depending on the Rangers' schedule.

Williams (elbow) struck out four and allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks across five innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Columbus.

Making the fifth start of his rehab assignment, Williams delivered his longest outing yet in terms of both innings and pitches (66, 47 strikes). A decision on Williams' next step hasn't been decided, but the Guardians may want to see him get over the 70-pitch mark with one more rehab start during the upcoming week before he makes his long-awaited return from the 60-day injured list. The young right-hander has been on the shelf all season with elbow discomfort, an injury that stemmed from him making an awkward throw during a weighted-ball workout in spring training.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Bloss will be placed on the injured list with right shoulder discomfort, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's a blow for the soon-to-be 23-year-old Bloss, who made his major-league debut Friday against the Orioles. He was lifted after 3.2 innings due to right shoulder discomfort, after allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. With Bloss and Justin Verlander (neck) on the injured list, the Astros will likely have to decide on a fill-in starter from either the bullpen or the minors, though they have multiple off days next week.

Scherzer (back/thumb) said Saturday that he'll return from the 60-day injured list to start in Sunday's series finale against the Royals, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After completing his recovery from offseason back surgery in addition to moving past the thumb and forearm injuries that slowed down his rehab process, Scherzer was originally scheduled to make his 2024 debut Saturday. The Rangers ultimately elected to push Scherzer back another day, with manager Bruce Bochy opting to go with Jon Gray for the second game of the series. With Scherzer set to take the mound Sunday, Dane Dunning will be pushed back to start in Monday's series opener against the Brewers. After being acquired from the Mets ahead of the trade deadline last season, Scherzer went 4-2 over eight regular-season starts with the Rangers, posting a 3.20 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB in 45 innings.