MLB Player News

Flexen (2-8) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Flexen allowed a run in the first inning and was charged with another as an inherited runner came around to score in the seventh. He yielded 10 hard-hit balls on 78 pitches but was able to limit the damage and has now logged three consecutive quality starts despite failing to record a win in any of them. The 30-year-old will take a 4.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 71:36 K:BB across 97 innings into the All-Star break.

Montero did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning win against the Dodgers, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Montero allowed the first batter he faced to reach base in four of five innings and yielded runs in the first, third and fifth frames. He had logged back-to-back quality starts but has now surrendered at least four earned runs in his three other outings this season. The rookie will take an uninspiring 5.47 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 26.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Wrobleski did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Wrobleski allowed two runs in the second inning and then two more on back-to-back homers to open the fifth. He generated only six swinging strikes on 84 pitches while leaning mostly on his fastball and slider. The rookie has surrendered eight runs (seven earned) and four long balls through his first two starts and his role moving forward depends on the health of the Dodgers' rotation after the All-Star break.

Spiers (shoulder) had a clean MRI on Saturday, and he is likely to miss only one start, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Spiers landed on the 10-day injured list Saturday after notching a victory against the Marlins on Friday, but he looks to have avoided a serious injury. The right Reds are listing his right shoulder issue as an impingement, with an MRI seemingly ruling out a strain or structural damage. Spiers is eligible to return from the IL on July 28, which could line him up to make his next start either in Tampa Bay or at home versus the Cubs.

Washington optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Rutledge was solid in a spot start Friday, allowing two runs while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings against the Brewers. However, he'll head back down to the minors to make room for reliever Eduardo Salazar on the big-league roster. With Rutledge's demotion, the Nationals currently have only four healthy starters, and it's not yet certain how they'll fill the fifth rotation spot following the All-Star break, though that role could go back to DJ Herz, who had been starting for the team before being sent down to Triple-A on July 8.

The Orioles optioned Povich to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Povich allowed three earned runs in 5.1 innings during his latest start Friday and was saddled with his third loss in his last four outings. He now owns a 6.27 ERA through his first seven career MLB starts, so he'll head back to the minor leagues in order to right the ship. It's unclear who will fill the open spot in Baltimore's rotation, but for now the team will opt for bullpen depth in right-hander Vinny Nittoli.

Dunning (shoulder) will pitch in a rehab game at Double-A Frisco on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's unclear whether Dunning will need to pitch in any more games before returning from the injured list, but he is still seemingly on pace to return to the Rangers' bullpen immediately after or shortly after the All-Star break.

The Rockies optioned Gordon to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Gordon was demoted after surrendering four homers while giving up six runs over three-plus innings against the Mets on Friday. The right-hander has yielded a total of 11 earned runs over 9.1 frames across his first two major-league starts and will get a chance to reset at Triple-A. Colorado also placed Nolan Jones (back) on the IL on Saturday while recalling outfielder Sean Bouchard and reliever Angel Chivilli from the minors. Gordon's short-lived spot in the big-league rotation will be assumed by German Marquez (elbow), who is set to return from the injured list to make his season debut Sunday.

Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sunday will mark the first time Verlander has thrown off a mound since a neck injury forced him to the IL on June 18. He's only expected to reach 10-to-15 pitches during his session, but it's still a sign that the veteran right-hander is trending in the right direction. He remains without a firm timetable for his return, though he will likely need some time to build back up to a starter's workload.

The Athletics placed Medina on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right elbow sprain.

Medina allowed six earned runs in five innings during his latest start Thursday, and it's possible his elbow injury contributed to his poor performance. He'll remain sidelined until at least July 28, and Michel Otanez will come up from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open spot in Oakland's pitching staff.