MLB Player News

Lorenzen did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 11-6 win over the Orioles, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Lorenzen was tagged for four of the 11 total home runs hit between the Royals and Orioles on Sunday. He generated an impressive 13 whiffs on 85 pitches but failed to complete five innings for just the second time in seven starts. The 33-year-old will carry a 4.23 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 38.1 innings into a home matchup with the Red Sox next weekend.

Gusto recorded two outs and allowed three unearned runs on two hits and two walks in his relief appearance Sunday in the Astros' 5-4 loss to the White Sox in seven innings.

With the Astros bringing back Lance McCullers (forearm) from the injured list to start Sunday, Gusto shifted to the bullpen after starting in each of his last four appearances. Prior to the game, manager Joe Espada suggested that Gusto's move to a relief role would likely be temporary, as the Astros plan to deploy a six-man rotation once they begin a stretch of 17 games in a row beginning next Friday, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Gusto could be available out of the bullpen for a few more games, but he'll likely be back in the rotation by the middle of the month after submitting a 3.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB in 19 innings over his first four starts.

McCullers did not factor into the decision in Sunday's rain-shortened loss to the White Sox, allowing three hits and walks apiece over 3.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

In his first outing back from 2023 flexor tendon surgery, McCullers was inefficient against a lowly Chicago lineup, requiring 87 pitches to get 11 outs. Despite not allowing a run, the Houston right-hander generated just six whiffs as his sinker averaged 91.8 mph, down from his 2022 average of 93.1 mph. Given his extended absence, it's not surprising that McCullers might require a few outings to shake off the rust. He currently lines up to make his next start against Cincinnati at home next weekend.

The Orioles reinstated McDermott (lat) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Baltimore has an opening in its rotation during the upcoming week after demoting Charlie Morton to the bullpen, but McDermott apparently isn't being viewed as a candidate to fill the void while he builds back up from the right lat strain that kept him out for all of spring training and the first month of the regular season. McDermott kicked off his rehab assignment with Double-A Chesapeake this past Sunday before moving up to Norfolk for his second start Saturday, when he struck out three over four scoreless innings. The 26-year-old righty tossed 57 pitches in that outing, but once he gets stretched out into the 75-to-90-pitch range at Triple-A, he could be a more realistic option for the big-league rotation.

Suarez took a no-decision in Sunday's 11-9 extra-inning loss against Arizona, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

After a sharp four-outing rehab stint that saw the Philadelphia southpaw pitch to a 1.08 ERA and 24:5 K:BB across 16.2 innings, Suarez unraveled in this 82-pitch outing. After cruising through two scoreless innings with four Ks, Suarez allowed three runs on three hits in the third inning. The Diamondbacks dropped four more runs on four hits in the next frame, chasing Suarez with two outs in the inning. The 29-year-old will look to bounce back in his next start, currently slated to be at Cleveland next weekend.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 11-9 extra-inning win over the Phillies, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

The veteran southpaw notched his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season, producing 15 whiffs. Despite the solid number of Ks, Rodriguez struggled to find the zone, issuing a season-worst four free passes and throwing just 57 strikes out of 101 total pitches. Through 38 innings, the 32-year-old's ERA now stands at 5.92; however, things have been better under the hood with a 4.03 FIP and 45:12 K:BB. Rodriguez is currently scheduled to make his next outing against the Dodgers at home this weekend.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Brewers that Imanaga will undergo an MRI on his strained left hamstring before a determination is made regarding whether he'll be able to make his next start, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Imanaga was cruising along nicely during his eighth start of the season before sustaining his injury while attempting to cover first base in the fifth inning. He exited the game and was ultimately dealt his second loss of the season after getting charged with two earned runs on four hits and one walk over his 5.2 frames. Counsell noted that Imanaga doesn't have a history of lower-body muscle strains from which to compare his injury, so the Cubs will send him in for imaging to glean more information about the severity of the hamstring issue. Imanaga tentatively lines up to make his next start against the Mets next weekend.

Francis (2-5) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

Francis has failed to make it through five innings in three straight outings, allowing 14 runs over just 12 innings in that span. His ERA is up to 5.66 this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across his first seven starts (35 innings) this year. Francis will look to right the ship in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week in Seattle.

Manager Pat Murphy said Peralta was removed from his start in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Cubs due to groin soreness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Peralta didn't appear visibly injured when he was lifted, but the groin issue explains why he was removed after tossing six scoreless innings and 89 pitches. He stayed in the game long enough to get the win and to improve to 4-2 on the season, and he finished with seven strikeouts while scattering four hits and one walk on the afternoon. The right-hander doesn't believe the injury is a serious concern, per McCalvy, so he may be able to stay on schedule and pitch next weekend in Tampa Bay.

Tidwell (0-1) was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Cardinals in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader. He was dealt the loss after giving up six earned runs on nine hits and three walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander was likely to be demoted regardless of his performance in Sunday's matinee, but being optioned back to Syracuse is fitting after an ugly big-league debut. Tidwell has struggled to a 5.00 ERA through six starts with Triple-A Syracuse this season, so he may have a difficult time getting another MLB opportunity in the near future.