MLB Player News

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.

The Royals reinstated Wacha (foot) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Rangers on Saturday.

Wacha was placed on the injured list June 2 due to a non-displaced left foot fracture he sustained on a comebacker against the Padres on May 31. He made a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out six over four scoreless innings. To make room for Wacha, right-hander Steven Cruz was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

Kirby came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Marlins, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 26-year-old right-hander reeled off his third straight quality start and ninth of the season on an efficient 85 pitches (60 strikes), but Kirby was denied his seventh win of the year when the Seattle offense went cold after the second inning. He'll take a 3.47 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and dazzling 89:9 K:BB through 93.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.

Crawford (3-7) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 5-2 to the Reds, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Some defensive misadventures by Boston softened the blow to the right-hander's ERA and allowed him to escape with his third straight quality start and eighth of the season, but it's hard to ignore the issues Crawford has had of late keeping the ball in the park. He's been tagged for multiple homers in three straight outings and served up at least one in seven straight, stumbling to a 5.36 ERA over the latter stretch despite a 1.19 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 40.1 innings. Crawford will try to turn things around in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.

Rodon (9-4) took the loss Friday as the Yankees fell 8-1 to Atlanta, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

The Atlanta offense came to life at the wrong time for Rodon, as he got taken deep by Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and Matt Olson before exiting the game after 93 pitches (56 strikes). The southpaw hadn't served up multiple homers in a start since May 2. After a run of seven straight quality starts, he's been tagged for 12 earned runs in 8.2 innings over his last two outings. Rodon will try to rebound in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Pepiot came away with a no-decision in Friday's 10-3 win over the Pirates, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Despite the impressive offensive support, Pepiot wasn't efficient enough to qualify for his fifth win of the year and got the hook after 74 pitches (41 strikes). The right-hander tied his season high with the four free passes, while the three strikeouts tied his season low. Through four starts in June, he's stumbled to a 6.30 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 20 innings, and Friday's outing was his first this month in which he didn't serve up a homer. Pepiot will look to turn things around in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Rodriguez (8-3) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks over five-plus innings Friday, striking out eight and taking a loss against Houston.

Rodriguez gave up runs in the first and second innings but the real damage didn't come until later. He coughed up a three-run shot to Jake Meyers in the fifth inning and was charged with two runs during Houston's nine-run sixth. Rodriguez saw his three-game winning streak come to an end while taking his first loss of the month. He's given up seven runs twice this season but has allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 outings, resulting in a 3.82 ERA overall. The 24-year-old righty is in line for a home matchup with Cleveland next week.

Paddack allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Friday.

Paddack again struggled against Oakland, though his last start was worse as he allowed five runs in 2.1 innings. The right-hander has a poor 5.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 70:18 K:BB over 78.1 innings through 15 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Arizona, though he hasn't pitched well enough to be a reliable fantasy option.