MLB Player News

Mahle (elbow) struck out four over 4.2 innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock.

Making what could be his final rehab start before being activated from the 60-day injured list, Mahle tossed 74 pitches (48 strikes) and sported a four-seam fastball that sat around 92-93 mph for most of the night before dipping into the upper 80s in the fourth and fifth innings. Though Mahle's most recent two rehab starts weren't as sharp as his first four, he's likely done enough to prove that he's healthy again coming off Tommy John surgery and ready to join the big-league rotation. Mahle, who signed a two-year, $22 million contract this winter, could make his Rangers debut as soon as Monday versus the Astros in Arlington.

Lodolo (8-4) allowed eight runs on 11 hits and struck out six over 5.2 innings without walking a batter to take the loss versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Lodolo had allowed a total of eight runs across his previous three starts spanning 17.2 innings. The Cubs got to him early with multiple runs in the second and third frames, and Ian Happ's two-run homer in the sixth ended Lodolo's outing. The southpaw's ERA spiked up from 3.45 to 3.99, and he now has a 1.15 WHIP and 100:26 K:BB across 97 innings over 17 starts. Lodolo will look to bounce back in his next start, which is projected to be at Miami next week.

Hendricks (3-9) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Aside from a three-run home run by Jake Fraley in the fifth inning, Hendricks had a strong start. He didn't allow a baserunner the first time through the order and got through his five frames on 73 pitches (44 strikes). Hendricks ended July with a 5.25 ERA over 24 innings, winning two of his five starts and allowing a total of four homers. For the season, he has a 6.86 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 20 appearances (15 starts). He is projected to make his next start at home versus the Twins.

Estes is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Dodgers in Oakland.

Estes had started in each of his first 13 appearances with the Athletics this season before he was deployed for 2.2 innings of relief this past Friday against the Angels behind starter Paul Blackburn, who was lifted after five innings in his first outing back from the 60-day injured list. The Athletics traded Blackburn to the Mets on Tuesday, so Estes' brief run in the bullpen will come to an end as he reclaims the vacated rotation spot.

Kikuchi is scheduled to make his first start with the Astros on Friday versus the Rays in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros didn't need to open up a spot in their rotation for Kikuchi, as fifth starter Jake Bloss was sent back to Toronto along with outfielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner in Monday's trade that landed the veteran southpaw in Houston. Kikuchi had cruised to a 2.64 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while delivering quality starts in six of his first 10 outings with Toronto this season, but aside from a career-best 13-strikeout effort July 9 in San Francisco, he had often been knocked around by opposing lineups over the past two months before being traded. He posted a strong 69:17 K:BB in 57.2 innings in his final 12 starts with Toronto but he also gave up 13 home runs during that stretch, which led to an inflated 6.87 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

Rodriguez will start Sunday's road game against the Yankees, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

After posting a 2.01 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his first four starts of July, Rodriguez unraveled in his latest outing Monday. Taking the hill for Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Orioles, Rodriguez failed to escape the first inning while exhibiting a complete loss of control. He spotted just 21 of his 43 pitches for strikes and recorded two outs while allowing four runs (three earned) on four walks and one hit. Toronto optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo following the outing, only to recall him Tuesday as a replacement for Yusei Kikuchi, who was traded to Houston. Despite the rough outing Monday, Rodriguez will stick in the rotation for another turn, though he might have a shorter leash. Bowden Francis started the second game of Monday's doubleheader and tossed 5.2 innings of three-run ball, and while he's not in line to start this weekend against the Yankees, the Blue Jays could elect to have him piggyback with Rodriguez if the latter struggles to find the strike zone early on in Sunday's contest.

Peralta came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander served up back-to-back homers to Matt Olson and Travis d'Arnaud in the fourth inning, but otherwise Peralta went unscathed as he delivered his ninth quality start of the year on 101 pitches (59 strikes). Over his last eight outings, he's given up more than three runs only once, posting a 3.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB through 44.1 innings. Peralta lines up for a road rematch with Atlanta next week.

Sale came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Brewers, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

The veteran southpaw wasn't quite efficient enough to record his 12th quality start of the season or his 14th win, getting the hook after 100 pitches (68 strikes) with the score still tied 2-2. Sale did extend his streak of starts allowing two runs or fewer to nine -- since a rough outing against the A's on June 1, he's delivered a 2.28 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 73:18 K:BB over his last 55.1 innings. Sale will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week in a rematch with Milwaukee.

Thorpe (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings as the White Sox were downed 10-3 by the Royals. He failed to strike out a batter.

The rookie right-hander got tagged for at least one run in each of the first three innings, with a two-run shot by Freddy Fermin in the second being the biggest blow. Thorpe reeled off five straight quality starts at one point, but over his last two outings he's been crushed for 14 runs in only 5.2 innings, sending his ERA soaring from 3.03 to 5.48. He'll try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Oakland.

Singer (8-6) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings in a 10-3 rout of the White Sox. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The right-hander gave up three straight hits to lead off the bottom of the second inning, with all three Chicago runners eventually coming around to score, but otherwise Singer held the opposition in check as he collected his third straight win and fourth in his last five outings. The 27-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, posting a 2.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB through 54 innings over that stretch. Singer will look to extend his win streak in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come early next week at home against the Red Sox.