MLB Player News

Blanco (5-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

Blanco held St. Louis to one run through his first four frames before surrendering three runs between the fifth and sixth innings. After starting the year 5-0, Blanco's now dropped back-to-back starts while allowing eight runs across 9.1 innings in that span. The 30-year-old right-hander still sports a solid 2.78 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 59:27 K:BB across 11 starts (64.2 innings) this year. Blanco will look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for early next week in San Francisco.

Mikolas (4-6) earned the win Wednesday over the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Mikolas shut out Houston through his first four innings, ultimately allowing both runs on back-to-back solo homers to Yainer Diaz and Trey Cabbage in the fifth. While it's Mikolas' first win since May 12, the veteran right-hander has now delivered quality starts in three straight outings and five of his last seven starts. After a rough start to the year, Mikolas has lowered his ERA to 5.32 with a 1.28 WHIP and 53:14 K:BB across 71 innings. He'll look to build on his recent success in his next start, currently scheduled for early next week at home versus Pittsburgh.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gray (elbow) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment, and the first start is likely to come Sunday with Single-A Fredericksburg, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old righty made just two starts this season before he landed on the injured list with an elbow strain, but he's now entering the final stage of his rehab program. Gray is expected to throw about four innings during his first outing, and he'll likely need several appearances in the minors before rejoining Washington's rotation.

Pivetta (3-4) earned the win Wednesday over Atlanta, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings.

It was a stellar effort against a potent Atlanta lineup from Pivetta, who now has nine strikeouts in consecutive starts while punching out eight or more in four of his last five outings. The 31-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.40 with a 0.94 WHIP and 51:9 K:BB across eight starts (42.1 innings) this season. Pivetta is currently in line for a home matchup with the Phillies early next week in his next outing.

The Athletics reinstated Boyle (back) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

A strained back kept Boyle on the shelf since early May, but he was activated after making three rehab starts with Triple-A Las Vegas. He allowed four earned runs in 5.1 total innings while striking out six batters and walking six over the three starts. Boyle had turned in a 7.16 ERA through seven starts with the Athletics prior to being deactivated, so he'll stick around at Las Vegas and will likely need to show improved control over multiple outings before he gets another look in the big-league rotation.

Allen and the Guardians won't play the Royals on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Cleveland.

The Royals and Guardians will make up the postponed game as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 26. Allen had been expected to work behind opening pitcher Nick Sandlin on Wednesday, but it's unclear if he'll be pushed back a day to pitch in some capacity in Thursday's series finale with Kansas City, or if his turn through the rotation will be skipped entirely.

Singer and the Royals won't play the Guardians on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Cleveland.

The Royals and Guardians will make up the postponed game as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 26 After missing his previous turn through the rotation last Thursday due to an illness, Singer was cleared to start Wednesday, but he looks like he'll have to wait until Thursday's series finale with the Guardians to make his return to the rotation.

Mazur is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Yu Darvish (groin) both landing on the injured list over the weekend, Randy Vasquez and Mazur were summoned from Triple-A El Paso to fill the two openings in the rotation. Mazur made his first MLB start Tuesday and held his own in a no-decision against the Angels, covering six innings and striking out two while allowing one run on two hits and four walks. The 23-year-old righty should stick around with the big club until the Friars get at least one of Musgrove or Darvish back from the IL.

Cecconi is slated to start Thursday's game against the Padres at Petco Park, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

While entering the rotation last Saturday as a replacement for Zac Gallen (hamstring), Cecconi took a no-decision in the Diamondbacks' 10-5 win over the Mets while striking out four over 4.2 innings of one-run ball. The performance was good enough to earn Cecconi at least one more turn through the rotation while the Diamondbacks wait for one of Gallen, Merrill Kelly (shoulder) or Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) to return from the injured list.

Vasquez is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Neither Yu Darvish (groin) nor Joe Musgrove (elbow) is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until next weekend, so Vasquez will unsurprisingly stick around in the San Diego rotation for another turn. After being called up from Triple-A El Paso, Vasquez started in last Saturday's win over the Royals, giving up three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings. He maintains a 5.74 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 26.2 innings in six starts for the big club on the season.