MLB Player News

Priester came away with a no-decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Marlins, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Homers by Connor Norby in the fourth inning and Otto Lopez in the fifth accounted for most of the damage off Priester, who got the hook after 83 pitches (52 strikes). The right-hander has failed to last five innings in two of his last three outings, serving up multiple long balls in each, but he hasn't been saddled with a loss since May 13 -- a stretch of nine starts in which he's posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 42:9 K:BB in 49.1 innings while going 5-0. Priester will look for his sixth straight winning decision in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Nationals.

Verlander (0-6) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over three innings to take the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Verlander threw 45 of 60 pitches for strikes, but they were a little too hittable. The Athletics put together a four-run rally in the second inning and ultimately handed Verlander his ugliest start of the season. The 42-year-old's ERA is up to 4.84 with a 1.44 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB over 70.2 innings over 14 starts as he continues to search for his first win of the year. He's projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup versus the Phillies.

Sears (7-7) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out six over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

Sears has covered 11.2 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and five walks over his last two starts. He kept the Giants' offense under control Friday, and it appears the southpaw is turning a corner after mostly mixed results in May and June. He's now at a 4.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 73:24 K:BB through 92.2 innings over 18 starts this season. His next start is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.

Rodriguez (3-5) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over 4.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Royals.

Rodriguez got off to a sour start, allowing three runs in each of the first two innings. He gave up a total of three home runs, including two to Vinnie Pasquantino. Rodriguez had a strong June, pitching to a 1.98 ERA despite a 1.32 WHIP over 27.1 innings, but the nine runs allowed Friday were a season high for the southpaw. He's now at a 5.78 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 87:27 K:BB across 76.1 innings through 15 starts. He'll try to get back on track next week in a start tentatively projected to be on the road versus the Padres.

Bubic (7-6) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Bubic allowed two runs in the first inning but never had to pitch from behind as the Royals broke out for nine runs of support. He also allowed a solo home run to Eugenio Suarez in the sixth. Bubic has had a bit of a rough patch since the start of June, allowing 18 runs (16 earned) over 34.2 innings across six starts. Still, this was his sixth start of seven innings this season, which is impressive considering he worked primarily as a reliever in 2024 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bubic is now at a 2.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 107:32 K:BB through 103 innings over 17 starts this season, which has been his best year in the majors so far. The southpaw is projected to make his next start at home versus the Pirates.

Alexander allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over three scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

The Astros' lead was never in doubt, so Alexander had plenty of runs to work with in the blowout win. He spared the rest of the team's bullpen, turning in a 57-pitch outing to earn the first save of his major-league career. He's still at an 8.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 15 innings between the Astros and the Athletics this year, though he's been much better in limited action with Houston as a swingman. It's unclear if he'll stay in the majors after his call-up Friday -- either way, he won't be available to pitch at any level for at least a few days.

McCullers (2-3) allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.

McCullers rebounded from giving up eight runs to the Cubs in his previous start after returning from a toe injury. While he earned a quality start Friday, he walked four batters for the third start in a row as control continues to be an issue for the right-hander. He's also had to deal with diminished velocity in his first major-league season since 2022. McCullers is at a 5.82 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB through 38.2 innings over nine starts this year. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.

Ober continues to throw while on the injured list and has received medicine to eliminate inflammation in his injured left hip, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Since Ober wasn't shut down from throwing, he has a better chance to return from the injured list when first eligible right after the All-Star break. Once the swelling is gone from his hip, he'll increase his throwing activity, and a clearer timetable for his return will come into focus.

Matthews (shoulder) is set to throw a third bullpen session Sunday and could face live hitters next week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Matthews could be set to begin a rehab assignment in a week or so if all goes well. He's been on the shelf since June 8 due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. Matthews could be ready to return from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break.

Lopez (shoulder) will start throwing next week after an MRI showed his inflammation and swelling are "totally gone," Twins head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Lopez was diagnosed June 4 with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder and was expected to be out for approximately 8-to-12 weeks. So far all the reports of Lopez's progress have been encouraging, so he could return in the earlier part of that range. However, he still has several hurdles left to clear before a timetable comes into focus.