MLB Player News

Leiter (3-6) took the loss against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters across five innings.

Leiter had a 1-0 lead to work with when he first took the mound Friday, but he watched it quickly disappear as Wilyer Abreu drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and Willson Contreras homered in the next at-bat to make it a 2-1 game after the first inning. Leiter then gave up four consecutive hits to lead off the fifth inning, sparking a four-run outburst from the Red Sox that would put the game well out of reach. The 26-year-old righty has now given up exactly five earned runs in back-to-back starts and has amassed just five combined strikeouts during those outings. He'll aim to right the ship next week against the Twins at home.

Gray (8-1) earned the win Friday against the Rangers, allowing one earned run on five hits and no walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Gray got into a bit of trouble early, allowing three of the first four batters he faced to record a hit to put the Red Sox in an early 1-0 hole. However, he managed to regain his composure and keep the Rangers off the scoreboard for the rest of the night while allowing just two additional knocks. The 36-year-old righty remains as dependable as ever, allowing three runs or fewer in each of his last eight starts and collecting wins in six of those outings. He's lined up to make his next start at home against Toronto.

Bibee (2-7) earned the win Friday against Detroit, giving up two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters across seven innings.

Bibee gave up solo homers to James Outman and Spencer Torkelson, but those ended up being the only hits he would allow en route to collecting his second consecutive win. The 27-year-old righty has now tallied six quality starts in his last seven outings and put up a 3.43 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 44.2 innings in that span. He'll look to keep building on the momentum he's gained during his next outing on the road against the Brewers.

The Tigers placed Flaherty on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left peroneal strain.

Flaherty was forced to end his start Friday against Cleveland prematurely due to injury, and further evaluation determined he'll need to spend time on the IL due to complications with his outer ankle. Hao-Yu Lee was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, while Casey Mize (thigh) is expected to return from the injured list Sunday and will presumably act as Flaherty's replacement in the rotation.

The Tigers reinstated Skubal (elbow) from the injured list ahead of his start Saturday against Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Skubal's start Saturday will mark his first outing since April 29 following a lightning-fast recovery from a procedure to remove loose bodies in his elbow. He made one rehab start at High-A West Michigan during his recovery but threw just 54 pitches, so he'll likely be working under a pitch count while taking on the Guardians. Ty Madden was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

Bubic (elbow/shoulder) suffered a setback after beginning his rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha, MLB.com reports.

In his first rehab start while recovering from left elbow soreness, Bubic was knocked around for five earned runs across 1.1 innings Tuesday and apparently emerged from the outing with a shoulder issue. The southpaw is scheduled to see a doctor over the weekend to determine the next steps. Prior to landing on the injured list in mid-May, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

The Pirates optioned Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Kelly will head back to the minors after giving up two earned runs in 2.1 innings during his MLB debut Friday. The 22-year-old owns a 4.50 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through 54 frames at Indianapolis while working primarily as a starter and could be called upon to make additional appearances for the Pirates later in the season -- likely as a long reliever. Isaac Mattson was recalled from Triple-A to fill the open spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen.

Ritchie gave up two hits and two walks over five scoreless relief innings in Friday's loss to the Mets. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander finished out the game after Spencer Strider (forearm) was pulled following a leadoff walk to MJ Melendez in the bottom of the fourth inning while showing greatly diminished velocity. Strider has already been placed on the IL and is being sent for an MRI on Saturday, and Ritchie's impressive relief performance over 73 pitches (42 strikes) makes him the logical candidate to move into the rotation. Over 30.2 innings in the majors this season, Ritchie has a 3.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Boyd (shoulder/knee) played catch without issue Friday, and the Cubs are hoping that the left-hander can progress "rapidly," MLB.com reports.

After building up his pitch count to 80 in his second rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on June 6 while working his way back from a left knee meniscectomy, Boyd appeared poised to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend. However, after he reported shoulder soreness following a bullpen session Tuesday, the Cubs opted to delay his return. Boyd's ability to resume throwing just a few days later suggests the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, but he'll still need to complete another bullpen session without any discomfort before the Cubs sign off on activating him. The Cubs will next require a fifth starter Wednesday versus the Rockies at Wrigley Field, and Javier Assad would be in line to get the ball that day if Boyd isn't cleared to pitch by then.

Atlanta placed Strider on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

Strider was forced to make an early exit from his start Friday due to arm soreness, and although he's now been confirmed to be dealing with an elbow injury, it remains unknown whether his inflammation is the result of a structural issue. He'll sit out for at least a couple of weeks, and a more accurate return timeline should come out once the team determines the severity of his injury. In the meantime, Anthony Molina will come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to give Atlanta some extra bullpen depth until a fifth starter is needed.