MLB Player News

The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Varland made a successful spot start Tuesday against the Rockies, spinning five scoreless frames while taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 5-4 loss. The Twins will use his roster spot for a fresh relief arm, with Jay Jackson coming up from Triple-A to join the bullpen.

Dunning (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings.

Dunning dug the Rangers an early 3-0 hole after surrendering a three-run homer to Will Smith in the first inning. He kept the Dodgers off the board the next two frames but loaded up the bases in the fourth before being replaced by Jonathan Hernandez with two outs. Hernandez gave up a double to Mookie Betts, which plated two runs that were charged to Dunning. He's now given up 14 runs (12 earned) over his last 17 innings and hasn't pitched more than five frames since April 28. The 29-year-old owns a 4.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB in 54.1 innings and will look to get back on track in a weekend start against Seattle.

Blanco (6-2) got the win over the Giants on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.

Blanco matched his season high with eight strikeouts. His lone blemish on the night was allowing a solo home run to Brett Wisely in the third inning. It was an encouraging bounceback effort from the 30-year-old after allowing eight runs and combining to strike out eight over his prior two starts coming into Tuesday's game. Blanco now owns a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB in 70.2 innings and lines up for an enticing matchup against the White Sox early next week.

McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.

The right-hander got a quick hook after 75 pitches (43 strikes) with the Guardians ahead 3-2, but the bullpen and offense were able to secure McKenzie's first win since April 19. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four trips to the mound, but on the bright side, he kept the ball in the yard Tuesday after serving up eight homers over his three prior outings. McKenzie will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB through 68 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.

Crawford (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over six innings as the Red Sox fell 4-1 to the Phillies. He struck out eight.

The right-hander got very little support from his offense or defense, but the difference in the game was the two solo shots Crawford served up to Kyle Schwarber. The quality start was Crawford's sixth of the season, but his first in over a month, while the eight Ks were a season high. Since beating the Giants on May 1, he's gone 0-5 in seven starts with a 5.40 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB in 40 innings. Crawford will try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Yankees.

Singer (4-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk across 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Singer was in trouble from the start, allowing a triple to Anthony Volpe on just his second pitch of the day as part of a two-run first inning for the Yankees. Singer had more issues in the fourth, when Austin Wells launched a three-run home run to plate Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres to give New York a 6-0 lead. The 27-year-old's seven runs allowed marked a season high and he failed to complete six innings for the fifth time in his last six starts. He'll have another tough draw for his next start, with a road matchup with Dodgers set for Sunday.

Sears allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Tuesday.

Sears was in line for the loss after fading and allowing all three runs in the fifth inning, but Tyler Soderstrom tied the game in the eighth for the Athletics. This was Sears' first no-decision since May 14 -- he went 1-3 while allowing 11 runs (10 earned) over 23.1 innings across his previous four starts. The southpaw has a 4.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 54:24 K:BB through 78.1 innings this season. He's projected to make his next start at Minnesota.

Stroman (6-2) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing four hits and three walks with one strikeout across 5.2 scoreless innings against Kansas City.

After allowing a season-high five runs in his last start, Stroman blanked the Royals on Tuesday. However, he struggled with command, finding the strike zone on just 54 of his 102 pitches while issuing three walks. The 33-year-old has generated five combined strikeouts in his last three starts, a stretch in which he's walked seven batters and hit two more. On the year, Stroman owns a 2.82 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 79.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Red Sox at Fenway on Sunday.

Varland didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Colorado, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts across five scoreless innings.

Varland was part of the Twins rotation to start 2024, but after falling to a 9.18 ERA after four starts, he was sent down to Triple-A. The 26-year-old also struggled in the minors, owning a 5.31 ERA before being called up Tuesday to give Minnesota's starters an extra day of rest. Varland made quick work of the Rockies, needing just 63 pitches to get through five innings. However, he didn't qualify for the win, as the Twins didn't score until the seventh inning.

Lynch will pitch in bulk relief behind opener Dan Altavilla on Wednesday versus the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch was lit up for eight earned runs in just four innings during his most recent start Friday against Seattle, so the Royals will use him behind an opener, reducing the amount of matchups he has against formidable sluggers Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Still, the 27-year-old Lynch owns a 5.63 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 16 innings on the season and isn't a recommended streaming option for Wednesday.