MLB Player News

Sears (9-8) earned the win over the White Sox on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

Sears appeared determined to not be the first pitcher to lose to the White Sox since July 10, as he held Chicago to a lone run and retired the final 10 batters he faced. The left-handed hurler notched his second straight seven-inning quality start and has given up just one run on six hits over 14 innings during that span. Sears has held his opponent to two or fewer earned runs in five of his past six starts, though the one exception was an ERA-damaging outing during which he allowed eight runs (seven earned) over six frames against Houston.

Singer (8-7) took the loss against Boston on Monday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings.

Singer wasn't exactly hit hard in the outing -- nine of the 10 knocks against him were singles -- but he didn't retire the side in order in any of the frames in which he pitched. The right-hander still managed to depart with two outs in the sixth inning having given up just two runs, but reliever Angel Zerpa subsequently allowed both of the runners he inherited from Singer to score. As a result, Singer took his first loss of the second half. Coming into Monday, he had tallied three straight wins while tossing a seven-inning quality start in each of those victories.

Paxton (9-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.

This was Paxton's second start since returning to Boston in a trade with the Dodgers in late July. The veteran left-hander struggled in his first outing with the Red Sox, but he was much better Monday, limiting the Royals to a pair of runs. Paxton departed after six frames with his first quality start since June 17 against Colorado. He has a shiny 9-3 record on the campaign, but his 4.42 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 69:49 K:BB over 93.2 innings aren't good indicators of sustained success.

Heaney did not factor into the decision in Monday's 4-3 win versus Houston, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over six innings. He struck out four.

The Texas southpaw collected his sixth quality start -- marking his first since June 30 at Baltimore -- with this 80-pitch effort. The only blemish on Heaney's evening came via a solo shot given up to Alex Bregman in the third inning. After struggling with a 6.28 ERA in 14.1 innings over his first three post-break starts, Heaney lowered his season ERA to 4.12 with this performance. The 33-year-old lines up to make his next start against the Yankees in New York this weekend.

Brown did not factor into the decision in Monday's 4-3 loss to Texas, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The Houston right-hander earned his third quality start in four outings since the All-Star break with this 97-pitch performance. The only run he allowed came via a Leody Taveras sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Since the break, Brown has been a reliable starter, pitching to a 2.28 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He looks to keep his string of solid performance rolling in his next appearance, currently scheduled to be in Boston this weekend.

Allen did not factor into the decision in Monday's 7-6 loss versus the Diamondbacks. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks across five innings.

Allen was recalled to make his first start since July 6 after struggling to a 5.67 ERA in his first 18 starts, barely making it out of the first inning Monday. He gave up back-to-back home runs to the first two hitters he faced and then loaded the bases before barely escaping the opening frame. Allen went on to get through the next four innings unscathed. It's unclear if Allen will get another turn in the rotation, as Alex Cobb (hip) will return this weekend and Triston McKenzie may also get another look after having his best start in the minors his last time out.

Festa (2-2) earned the win Monday against the Cubs, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing two hits and two walks. He struck out nine.

The Minnesota rookie dominated in his first appearance at Wrigley Field, generating 14 whiffs en route to his nine punchouts. After allowing 12 runs in 10 innings over his first two starts, Festa has found a groove in his last three outings, pitching to a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB across 14.1 innings. The 24-year-old is projected to make his next start against the Guardians at home this weekend.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Monday that Cobb (hip) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list to make a start at some point during this weekend's four-game series in Minnesota, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Cobb has spent the entire 2024 campaign on the IL while working his way back from offseason left hip surgery and hitting a couple road bumps in the rehab process along the way, but he looks to be back to optimal health and fully stretched out for a starting role. After Cobb made six rehab appearances from June 30 through July 26, he was traded from the Giants to the Guardians last week and shifted his rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus. He looked good during his start with Columbus on Saturday, tossing 69 pitches and covering 4.2 innings while striking out five and allowing five baserunners.

Boyd (elbow) is scheduled to make another rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

The upcoming start will be the fifth and possibly final outing of Boyd's rehab assignment before he's activated from the 15-day injured list. The left-hander has been recovering from Tommy John surgery but has flashed increased velocity to go along with strong results during his rehab stint. With Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) slated to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend and Carlos Carrasco struggling, it's unclear how the Guardians will fill out the tail end of their rotation once Boyd is activated.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that Bibee (shoulder) resumed playing catch Monday and is expected to slot back into the rotation soon, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Cleveland has already announced its three starters for the series with the Diamondbacks that begins Monday, so Bibee isn't expected to return to action until at least Friday, when the Guardians play a doubleheader in Minnesota. Bibee hasn't started since last Monday, when he experienced some tightness in his shoulder during his outing in Detroit. Assuming he responds well to playing catch and is able to complete a bullpen session in the next couple of days without issue, Bibee should get the green light to pitch at some point during the weekend series versus the Twins.