MLB Player News

Sears (5-7) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out six over five shutout innings to earn the win over the Angels on Thursday.

Sears wasn't particularly efficient, needing 95 pitches (59 strikes) in this start, though it was good enough to snap a six-game winless skid. During that span, he had a 7.28 ERA over 29.2 innings and went 0-4. Sears is now at a 4.74 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 68:30 K:BB across 95 innings through 18 starts this year. He's projected to make his next start on the road at Boston.

Sanchez (6-4) suffered the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.

Sanchez's outing began in a familiar manner, as he allowed no runs through the first three innings while being staked with an early 2-0 lead. But Sanchez, who has done a great job this year at avoiding the big inning, couldn't escape that trap Thursday, allowing six batters to reach base during a five-run fourth. He then saw his day end prematurely after the first two batters reached base in the fifth. All told, Sanchez, who was coming off a complete-game shutout and had allowed just one earned run over 23 innings during his previous three starts, allowed a season-high seven runs, lifting his season ERA more than half a run from 2.41 to 2.96. He'll look to rebound next week when the Phillies host a showdown series against the Dodgers.

Taillon (5-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

Taillon allowed a two-out, solo home run by Nick Castellanos in the fourth that left the Cubs in a 2-0 hole, but Taillon then received nine runs of support while retiring 10 of the last 11 Phillies he faced to cruise to his fifth victory of the season. It was the fifth-straight start for Taillon in which he's tossed at least six innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 30 strikeouts over 29 innings during that stretch. He's set up to face another tough matchup in his next start, likely to take place next week when the Cubs travel to Baltimore to take on the Orioles.

Mena was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

The move back to Triple-A comes after Mena struggled in his big-league debut Wednesday night. He allowed four runs in three innings, but all four runs came in the first inning. In a corresponding move, Joe Jacques was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Perez pitched 7.1 innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one unearned run on six hits while striking out two and walking one.

Perez pitched into the seventh inning for the second time this season, but he's come away with a no-decision on both of those occasions. The 33-year-old lefty bounced back well Thursday after giving up six runs in his first start back from the injured list last week. Perez has fared much better at home this season with a 3.65 ERA in seven starts, compared to a 5.97 ERA in six road starts.

Quintana came away with a no-decision in Thursday's loss to the Nationals. He did not allow a run over seven innings, giving up four hits and three walks.

For the first time this season, Quintana went through a game without allowing a run, but he got no run support on his way to the no-decision. He joins Tylor Megill as the only two Mets pitchers to throw seven shutout innings this season. Quintana has picked up a quality start in three of his last four appearances and has lowered his ERA to 4.22 in the process.

Woo (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Everett this weekend, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Woo came out of a bullpen session Wednesday with no concerns, clearing the way for him to make a rehab start. Mariners manager Scott Servais wouldn't rule out a return before the All-Star break for Woo, so it sounds like the right-hander could need just the one rehab outing if all goes well.

Irvin (7-6) earned the win Thursday against the Mets. He allowed one hit and one walk over eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

Irvin was brilliant Thursday as he threw a career-high eight innings to grab his seventh win. After giving up a one-out single to Jeff McNeil in the third, Irvin went on to retire the final 17 batters he faced. He became the first Nationals pitcher to throw eight shutout innings since Joe Ross in June 2021. The 27-year-old has registered a quality start in eight of his last nine appearances. He is making a case for a spot in the All-Star Game with his 2.80 ERA, which is ranked 10th in the majors.

Bloss (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It will actually be his Triple-A debut, as Bloss skipped over that level when he was promoted to make his major-league debut last month. He went down with right shoulder inflammation in that outing but has made a rapid recovery. With Justin Verlander (neck) ruled out through the All-Star break, Bloss could re-enter the Houston rotation next week.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Verlander (neck) will not return prior to the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander has resumed playing catch and appears to be making some progress as he works his way back from neck soreness. However, it's been about three weeks since he's thrown off a mound, and he'll surely need at least one rehab start before returning. The 41-year-old should be back before the end of July if he can avoid setbacks.