MLB Player News

Kikuchi (neck) covered five scoreless innings and struck out four in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Buffalo. He scattered two hits and three walks in the outing.

The Blue Jays have yet to officially announce Kikuchi's next step, but since the veteran southpaw turned in quality results in his rehab outing while building up to 77 pitches, he should be ready to re-enter the rotation when the big club requires a fifth starter during their four-game series with the Tigers later this week. Though a potential matchup with a punchless Detroit offense is a good one for Kikuchi, he's been difficult to trust from a fantasy standpoint when healthy this season. Over 16 starts with Toronto, Kikuchi owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB across 65 innings.

Keller did not factor into the decision against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.

Keller threw 51 of 74 pitches for strikes in the contest, but left the game with his team down by one. The righty has strung together some solid games in July, with three quality starts in a row including Sunday's outing. After lasting six innings once throughout April and May, Keller has six such games since the start of June. Not only does he seem to have a longer leash, but he is also pitching better. Keller has a 2.88 July ERA and has lowered his season ERA to 4.55, the lowest it has been all year.

Alcantara did not factor into the decision against Pittsburgh on Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out 10 and walking three over six innings.

Alcantara left the game with the Marlins up 3-2, but he did not factor into the decision as the Pirates ended up tying the game, taking it into the 10th inning. Alcantara threw 70 of 105 pitches for strikes and had double-digit strikeouts in a game for the third time this month. The righty has allowed just four earned runs in 29 innings this month, good for a 1.24 July ERA. He will take a 1.81 season ERA into his next appearance.

Bello (0-2) took the loss against Toronto on Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking two over four innings.

Bello was yanked after giving up five earned runs across four frames Sunday. The young righty threw 41 of 67 pitches for strikes but allowed 11 baserunners and struck out just two batters. George Springer and Cavan Biggio were also able to swipe second base while he was on the mound. Bello has had a rough rookie campaign so far. In 12 innings, he has allowed 14 earned runs, although none have come via the long ball. Bello has a bloated 10.50 ERA, but could still continue to pick up starts for the Red Sox with so many of their starters on the shelf.

Stripling did not factor into the decision against the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out one and walking one over four innings.

Stripling threw 38 of 62 pitches for strikes, allowing Jarren Duran and Franchy Cordero to cross the plate before he was pulled. Stripling has gone beyond five innings three times in 14 games as a starter this season and was limited to four frames against Boston. He also tallied just one strikeout in the game, his lowest total since a one-out, zero-strikeout save May 28. The righty should continue to see starting opportunities with multiple pitchers on the IL for Toronto and will take a 3.10 ERA into his next appearance.

Gomber covered 3.2 innings in relief in Sunday's 10-9 loss to the Brewers, giving up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three.

With starter Chad Kuhl getting chased from the game midway through the third inning, Gomber stepped in to give Colorado some much-needed length out of the bullpen. While he did well to keep the Brewers' bats at bay, Gomber looks like he'll have to settle for a bullpen role for now with Colorado content to give Jose Urena a trial as their No. 5 starter.

Kremer (3-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six and walking one over 5.1 innings.

After finishing June with a 1.29 ERA, Kremer has not seen the same success in July. After allowing four runs to the Yankees, the righty now has 12 earned runs in 19 innings this month, giving him a 5.68 July ERA. Despite Sunday's rough outing where he threw 55 of 83 pitches for strikes, Kremer still sports a modest 3.06 ERA for the season.

Schmidt picked up the save in Sunday's 6-0 victory over the Orioles, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out three and walking two over three innings.

Schmidt saw his first action for the Yankees since June 22. It comes after the Yankees lost multi-inning reliever Michael King to an elbow injury. Schmidt took on a similar role to King in Sunday's contest, earning a nine-out save. He threw 36 of 56 pitches for strikes, and while he allowed two hits and two walks, Schmidt was able to keep the O's off the board. It was his first save of the year. The righty reliever will take a 2.67 ERA into his next appearance.

Cortes (8-3) earned the win against the Orioles on Sunday, allowing no runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.

Cortes' command was impressive in Sunday's contest. The lefty threw 64 of 94 pitches for strikes in the game, tallying seven strikeouts and no walks. He was able to strand all of the Baltimore baserunners for his fifth game of the season without allowing an earned run. This was Cortes' first win since July 2, but his third quality start since then. It was also the fourth time since June 2 that he lasted at least six innings. Cortes will take a 2.48 ERA into his next appearance.

Bradish (shoulder) made his third rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Norfolk, striking out six over 4.2 innings while allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk.

Bradish tossed 80 pitches (49 strikes) in his latest outing with Norfolk and should be stretched out enough to make his next start with Baltimore, though it's unclear if he'll be welcomed back into the rotation. Before being placed on the 15-day injured list June 24 with right shoulder inflammation, Bradish compiled a 7.38 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB across 46.1 innings. Both Austin Voth and Spenser Watkins have recently found success at the back end of the rotation, and if the two are able to deliver respectable showings Monday and Tuesday versus the Rays, respectively, the Orioles could choose to option Bradish at Norfolk upon activating him from the IL.