MLB Player News

Kikuchi (4-6) picked up the win in Saturday's 10-5 victory over the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw served up a pair of solo shots to Eugenio Suarez but otherwise was in control until the sixth inning, when a 105 mph Josh Naylor comebacker with two outs struck him on the left shoulder. He stayed in the game for one more batter, but after a Randal Grichuk RBI single made it a 6-3 game, interim manager Ray Montgomery elected to lift the Angels' lone All-Star representative as a precaution, leaving him one out shy of his ninth quality start. There's been no word yet that he sustained any kind of lingering injury, and Kikuchi heads into the break with a 3.11 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 115:49 K:BB through 113 innings.

Houck is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list this week with his 30-day rehab window coming to a close Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Houck's rehab stint got off to a rocky start, but he's performed better over his last two outings with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, allowing just one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 9.1 innings. Despite his recent success, the right-hander is not expected to be inserted into Boston's starting rotation, with Richard Fitts getting the first chance to fill the vacancy created by Hunter Dobbins' season-ending knee injury. Houck still has two minor-league options left and could stick around with Worcester while continuing on a starter's trajectory until a rotation spot with the big club opens up. Boston also hasn't ruled out bringing him back as a member of the big-league bullpen.

Gallen (7-10) took the loss Saturday, surrendering six runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings as the Diamondbacks fell 10-5 to the Angels. He struck out three.

While the right-hander did manage to last at least five innings for the 17th straight start, Gallen crashed back to earth after looking more like his old self to begin July. He's been tagged for at least five runs in three of his last five trips to the mound, and since the beginning of June he's served up 11 homers in only 48.1 innings, with Mike Trout doing the honors Saturday. Gallen will head into the All-Star break laboring under a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 110:45 K:BB through 115 innings.

Kelly (calf) will start Sunday's game against the Angels in Anaheim.

Kelly dealt with some right calf discomfort in his most recent start Tuesday but still covered seven innings and 77 pitches before he was lifted. Afterward, manager Torey Lovullo downplayed the issue, and Kelly validated his skipper's optimism. The right-hander will head into his final appearance before the All-Star break having turned in quality starts in five of his past seven outings.

Singer did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 6.1 innings against the Rockies. He struck out nine.

Singer worked around plenty of traffic Saturday but limited the damage to three runs before exiting. The right-hander has been serviceable, though unspectacular, in his first season with the Reds, carrying a 4.32 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 100 innings in 19 starts.

Blalock did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and zero walks over 5.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out one.

The right-hander gave up a run in the first inning on an Austin Hays sacrifice fly but settled in from there in his first appearance since being called back up to the majors Monday. It marked Blalock's first MLB start since May 10, an appearance in which he surrendered 12 runs over 3.2 innings against the Padres. For the season, he holds a 9.97 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 21.2 innings in six appearances (four starts) at the big-league level.

Burke did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Guardians. He struck out five.

Burke wasn't dominant but did well enough to keep the Guardians in check before turning things over to the bullpen. The right-hander now holds a 4.36 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 97 innings in 19 appearances, including 16 starts, this season.

Bibee (5-9) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the White Sox. He struck out five.

The right-hander picked up his first win since May 22, with the only damage off him coming on a two-run single by Kyle Teel in the fourth inning. It was an encouraging outing for Bibee, who came into the start with a 5.13 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 40.1 innings across seven starts since the beginning of June. For the season, he now holds a 4.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 109 innings in 19 starts.

Rogers (2-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over 6.2 innings against the Marlins. He struck out eight.

The southpaw's only blemish Saturday came on a seventh-inning RBI single by Derek Hill, but with the Orioles struggling offensively, that was enough to saddle him with the loss. Rogers has been excellent across six starts with the big league club, posting a 1.53 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over 35.1 innings. While those numbers may not be sustainable, Rogers has a chance to stick as a solid rotation arm if he continues to boost his strikeout rate (8.2 K/9) and keep his walks in check (2.5 BB/9).

Nola (ankle, rib) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Saturday in Clearwater, Florida, per MLB.com.

Nola is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday and next Saturday. The veteran right-hander is working his way back from a right ankle sprain and subsequent stress fracture in his right rib, and the expectation is that he'll be able to re-enter Philadelphia's rotation at some point in early-to-mid August. Given that he'll have been on the shelf for over two months once the All-Star break begins, Nola is likely to require several minor-league rehab starts.