MLB Player News

Muller did not factor in the decision against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Muller was recalled Saturday after toiling at Triple-A Las Vegas for the past five-plus weeks. He managed to keep Oakland in the contest with five innings during which he allowed three runs, though the southpaw wasn't exactly effective in allowing six hits and tying a season high with four walks. Muller may remain in the rotation for now with James Kaprielian (shoulder) on the injured list, though the former hasn't been effective in the majors this season with a 7.79 ERA and 1.96 WHIP over 52 innings.

Cease allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Saturday.

Cease had struck out at least nine batters in three straight games coming into Saturday, but he punched out just five against Oakland. The right-hander entered the sixth inning with a one-run lead, but he was pulled after giving up a one-out triple followed by a double that tied the score. Cease logged his seventh straight no-decision, though he's pitched well with a 3.32 ERA and 55:17 K:BB over 38 innings during that span.

Anderson allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Anderson did his part, but Sam Bachman and Chris Devenski let the game slip away from the Angels. Anderson hadn't pitched a scoreless outing since his first start of the year April 2 versus the Athletics, and he gave up 14 runs over 22 innings across four starts in June. The veteran southpaw is at a 5.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 63:35 K:BB across 79.2 innings through 15 starts overall. His last start of the first half is projected to be on the road against the Dodgers.

Nelson (5-4) allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out six over 7.1 innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.

Nelson gave up a solo home run to Anthony Rendon, but the Diamondbacks were able to take the lead in the sixth inning. After plenty of ups and downs early on, Nelson has turned in a pair of impressive starts in his last two outings, limiting the Angels and Giants to a combined two runs, six hits and three walks over 14.1 innings. The 25-year-old trimmed his ERA to 4.67 with a 1.38 WHIP and 64:29 K:BB through 90.2 innings over 17 starts. It remains to be seen if he can sustain his recent success, which he'll attempt to do in a projected home start versus the Mets next week.

Liberatore (1-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out just one over 4.1 innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Liberatore has failed to complete five innings in four of his last five outings, and he's given up 12 runs (eight earned) across 10.2 innings in his last three starts. The southpaw was pushed back a day after Friday's rainout, but the extra rest didn't do him much good. With a 5.68 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 22:15 K:BB over 31.2 innings through eight appearances this year, it's fair to question how much more leeway Liberatore has when it comes to staying in the Cardinals' rotation. He could ultimately swap spots with Steven Matz, who is currently in the bullpen, or the Cardinals may opt to bring up a starter from Triple-A Memphis, though no one on the farm is doing much to differentiate themselves. St. Louis will need a spot starter Wednesday due to this doubleheader, and it's possible Liberatore may not start again until after the All-Star break.

Battenfield (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance with Double-A Akron on Tuesday, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Battenfield has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation since mid-May. He's scheduled to throw 65 pitches in his rehab outing, which makes it possible that he returns from the injured list on July 21 -- the date he's first eligible. It's unlikely that Battenfield sticks in the majors upon his activation, though he could contribute to the big-league club in the closing months of the campaign.

Glasnow (2-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out 11 over 5.2 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Mariners.

This was his second-longest outing of the season, and Glasnow has racked up double-digit strikeouts in each of his last two starts. He's also winless in his last three outings, as the Mariners took the lead for good in the sixth inning. Glasnow's posted a strong 56:15 K:BB over 36 innings so far, but his 4.50 ERA and 1.33 WHIP remain relatively pedestrian as he continues to settle in after missing the start of the season with an oblique injury. The right-hander's last start of the first half is tentatively projected to be a challenging home start versus Atlanta.

Kirby (7-7) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Rays.

Kirby didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, when he gave up a double to Yandy Diaz and a home run to Luke Raley. Aside from those minor missteps, Kirby turned in another strong outing for his fourth consecutive quality start. This was the first time he's walked multiple batters in a start this year. The right-hander has allowed nine runs (seven earned) over 26.1 innings in that span. For the season, he owns a 3.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 86:9 K:BB through 101 innings across 16 starts. Kirby is projected for another challenging start on the road in Houston next week.

Rodon (back/forearm) threw 3.2 scoreless innings in a rehab outing with High-A Hudson Valley on Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

This marked Rodon's third rehab start, and he stretched out to 58 pitches -- 38 of which went for strikes. It was also likely to be Rodon's final rehab appearance before being activated, as he's expected to make his Yankees debut July 7 against the Cubs.

The Tigers will activate Skubal (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday to start their series opener with the Athletics at Comerica Park, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Skubal will make his first start in the majors since Aug. 1, 2022, as he missed the final two months of last season as well as the first three months of the 2023 campaign while recovering from flexor tendon surgery. He has pitched well during his rehab assignment, most recently working four innings and tossing 68 pitches Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo. Given his recent pitch count, Skubal shouldn't be in line for significant workload restrictions in his 2023 Tigers debut, and he'll also get a favorable matchup against Oakland.