MLB Player News

King (7-5) picked up the win Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks against the Rangers. He struck out five.

King held the Rangers scoreless through five, then was removed after allowing two batters to reach base with one out in the sixth, eventually resulting in one earned run on his ledger. It's the sixth time in his last eight starts that King has allowed one earned run or fewer and his 10th such outing this season. Over his last eight starts, King has tossed 44 innings with a 2.45 ERA and 53 strikeouts. His next opportunity to toe the rubber is scheduled to come at home against the Mariners next week.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Yamamoto (shoulder) has been working with a plyo ball and could resume throwing soon, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Yamamoto has made progress in his rehab and was described as pain-free Wednesday. Assuming that remains the case, he's expected to start playing catch again before the All-Star break, likely meaning he won't return before August.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw was expected to complete the session Wednesday, but he ultimately took the mound one day later. Things apparently went well, as manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw will throw a sim game as early as Sunday and will then complete a two- or three-start rehab assignment before potentially being activated.

Sanchez (6-4) suffered the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.

Sanchez's outing began in a familiar manner, as he allowed no runs through the first three innings while being staked with an early 2-0 lead. But Sanchez, who has done a great job this year at avoiding the big inning, couldn't escape that trap Thursday, allowing six batters to reach base during a five-run fourth. He then saw his day end prematurely after the first two batters reached base in the fifth. All told, Sanchez, who was coming off a complete-game shutout and had allowed just one earned run over 23 innings during his previous three starts, allowed a season-high seven runs, lifting his season ERA more than half a run from 2.41 to 2.96. He'll look to rebound next week when the Phillies host a showdown series against the Dodgers.

Taillon (5-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

Taillon allowed a two-out, solo home run by Nick Castellanos in the fourth that left the Cubs in a 2-0 hole, but Taillon then received nine runs of support while retiring 10 of the last 11 Phillies he faced to cruise to his fifth victory of the season. It was the fifth-straight start for Taillon in which he's tossed at least six innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 30 strikeouts over 29 innings during that stretch. He's set up to face another tough matchup in his next start, likely to take place next week when the Cubs travel to Baltimore to take on the Orioles.

Mena was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

The move back to Triple-A comes after Mena struggled in his big-league debut Wednesday night. He allowed four runs in three innings, but all four runs came in the first inning. In a corresponding move, Joe Jacques was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Perez pitched 7.1 innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one unearned run on six hits while striking out two and walking one.

Perez pitched into the seventh inning for the second time this season, but he's come away with a no-decision on both of those occasions. The 33-year-old lefty bounced back well Thursday after giving up six runs in his first start back from the injured list last week. Perez has fared much better at home this season with a 3.65 ERA in seven starts, compared to a 5.97 ERA in six road starts.

Quintana came away with a no-decision in Thursday's loss to the Nationals. He did not allow a run over seven innings, giving up four hits and three walks.

For the first time this season, Quintana went through a game without allowing a run, but he got no run support on his way to the no-decision. He joins Tylor Megill as the only two Mets pitchers to throw seven shutout innings this season. Quintana has picked up a quality start in three of his last four appearances and has lowered his ERA to 4.22 in the process.

Irvin (7-6) earned the win Thursday against the Mets. He allowed one hit and one walk over eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

Irvin was brilliant Thursday as he threw a career-high eight innings to grab his seventh win. After giving up a one-out single to Jeff McNeil in the third, Irvin went on to retire the final 17 batters he faced. He became the first Nationals pitcher to throw eight shutout innings since Joe Ross in June 2021. The 27-year-old has registered a quality start in eight of his last nine appearances. He is making a case for a spot in the All-Star Game with his 2.80 ERA, which is ranked 10th in the majors.

Rea (8-2) earned a win over the Rockies on Wednesday, tossing seven shutout innings while striking out four and allowing six hits.

Rea had his best start of the season in this one. It was just the second time this year he's gotten to seven innings and just the third time he's managed to not issue a walk. He generated 10 outs via grounders, which played a big part in his success at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Rea has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts and has been a lynchpin in a Brewers rotation that has been depleted by injuries. The 33-year-old now owns a 3.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 66:28 K:BB in 94.1 innings. He lines up to face Pittsburgh at home next week.