MLB Player News

Canning (1-7) allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

Canning's performance wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough compared to Merrill Kelly's seven innings of one-run ball. Canning threw 48 of 74 pitches for strikes in the contest. He has bounced between starts and bulk-relief appearances lately, allowing 10 runs over 18 innings across his last five games (two starts). For the season, the right-hander has a 6.47 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 55:30 K:BB across 55.2 innings through 13 appearances (10 starts).

Luzardo (8-4) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing two walks while striking out 11 batters over seven scoreless innings.

Luzardo allowed only one baserunner to reach scoring position and racked up 20 whiffs en route to 11 punchouts. The left-hander completed seven frames for just the third time this season while recording his 10th quality start. Luzardo has won four of his past six outings, posting a minuscule 1.45 ERA with a 52:14 K:BB across 37.1 innings during that span. In the very likely event that he doesn't pitch again this weekend, he'll wrap up a strong first half with a 3.51 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 136:35 K:BB across 110.1 frames spanning 19 starts. His strikeout total currently ranks fourth in the majors.

Valdez (5-6) earned the win Thursday against the Athletics, allowing one run on three hits while striking out nine over seven innings.

Valdez dominated from the outset, striking out the side in the first inning and retiring the first 11 batters he faced before pelting Shea Langeliers with a slider. The left-hander generated 18 whiffs Thursday, and his only run allowed came in the fifth on a fielder's choice. Over his last nine starts, Valdez owns a 3.59 ERA with five outings of one run or fewer and four starts in which he allowed at least four runs. On the year, he owns a 4.10 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 87:36 K:BB across 107.2 innings.

Kelly (7-8) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Padres on Thursday.

Kelly turned in a quality start in this outing, allowing just a solo home run to Manny Machado in the second inning. This was Kelly's second win in a row, and he heads into the All-Star break having allowed just three runs over his last 12 innings. Overall, he's still at a 5.38 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 59:38 K:BB through 93.2 innings over 16 starts this season. He's also given up 20 homers, putting him on pace to allow a career high in long balls -- his worst campaign in that regard was 2019, when he gave up 29 homers.

Rogers did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.

Rogers turned in another strong outing, with his lone blemish coming on a sixth-inning solo homer by Seiya Suzuki. It was the first home run he had allowed in four starts. After opening the season with a 6.54 ERA through his first 10 outings, the left-hander has been one of baseball's hottest pitchers, posting a 1.73 ERA over his last seven starts. Rogers heads into the All-Star break sporting a 4.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 69:31 K:BB across 90.1 innings.

Rodriguez (back) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and start Friday against Minnesota, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After completing 5.1 strong innings on 78 pitches in his second rehab start last Saturday, Rodriguez will officially rejoin the big-league club on Friday and make his first appearance since June 14. This will wrap up the right-hander's second stint on the IL this season after missing over a month to start the year due to a shoulder injury. In six starts this season, the 26-year-old has posted an 8.06 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB through 25.2 innings.

Lopez will serve as the Athletics' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the White Sox, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and pitched in relief later that night, surrendering four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings in a loss to the Tigers. He'll pick up his 11th start of the season three days' later, but Lopez will most likely be capped around 1-to-3 innings before exiting the game. Friday had been Aaron Civale's turn in the rotation, so he's the most likely pitcher to work in bulk relief once Lopez exits the contest.

Peterson allowed one run on two hits across five innings and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Orioles. He walked four and struck out two.

Peterson pitched pretty well overall Thursday but struggled with his command as he tied a season high in walks. Even with the shaky control it was still a huge step in the right direction for the lefty after being tagged for 10 runs in only 3.2 innings in his last start. Peterson will now carry a 6.45 ERA and 1.64 WHIP into the All-Star break, and he should slot into the back of Chicago's rotation once the second half kicks off, at least until the likes of Jameson Taillon (hamstring), Edward Cabrera (hamstring) and Ben Brown (neck) are able to return.

Keller (6-7) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out three.

Keller has been struggling mightily of late, posting a 7.62 ERA in his last eight starts (39 innings). The home-run ball in particular has been a problem for Keller -- he's now given up six long balls in his last four outings. The right-hander will head into the All-Star break with a 5.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:35 K:BB across 19 starts (103.1 innings).

Elder did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out three.

Elder was hurt by the long ball again Thursday, with all four of the runs charged to the right-hander coming on three homers. Elder's now given up 22 earned runs and eight homers in 18 innings across his last four outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 86:32 K:BB across 18 starts (102.2 innings) this season.