MLB Player News

Skubal did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning victory over Cleveland. He gave up three hits over seven shutout frames while striking out 10.

Skubal was his usual dominant self, but the Tigers couldn't get him the win, as they were shut down by Gavin Williams, who threw six shutout innings. Skubal has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last eight outings, producing a ridiculous 1.12 ERA and 69:7 K:BB during that stretch. He threw 66 of 93 pitches for strikes Sunday and racked up 20 whiffs, with 14 coming via the changeup. Skubal is defending his 2024 AL Cy Young with another impressive campaign; he now owns a 2.02 ERA with a 148:14 K:BB across 116 frames. He's lined up for a home matchup against the Mariners next weekend.

Woodruff (1-0) earned the win against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over six innings.

Woodruff dominated in his first big-league start in 652 days, with the lone blemish being a solo homer in the fifth inning. He needed just 70 pitches to deliver a quality start, generating 10 whiffs while averaging 93 mph with both his fastball and sinker. It was an encouraging return for the 32-year-old, who will look to build on the outing in a favorable matchup against the Nationals next weekend.

Williams did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning loss to Detroit. He allowed a hit and three walks over six shutout frames while striking out eight.

Williams walked the first batter of the game before retiring 14 straight Tigers. He worked around a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning and kept Detroit off the board during one of his best starts of the year. Williams threw 61 of 97 pitches for strikes and generated 18 whiffs, including seven with his sweeper. Unfortunately for Williams, Cleveland's offense couldn't get anything going against Tarik Skubal and eventually lost in the 10th frame. Williams has walked at least three batters in five straight outings and now owns a 90:52 K:BB through 92.1 frames. He'll carry a 3.61 ERA into his next outing, which is expected to be on the road against the White Sox.

Fried (11-2) earned the win against the Mets on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts over five innings.

Fried cruised through four innings before allowing two runs during a 25-pitch fifth frame and was removed in the sixth after hitting Brandon Nimmo, who later came around to score. He logged five straight quality starts in a stellar June but has failed to do so in either of his July outings. Even so, the recently announced All-Star now leads the majors with 11 wins, sporting a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 111:24 K:BB across 119 innings. He lines up for a tough home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.

Garcia (elbow) threw another live batting practice session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has now faced hitters on three occasions as he continues to ramp back up since being shut down late in the spring when he experienced inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, Garcia was able to make a pair of rehab starts in 2024, but he's more than two years removed from his last appearance with the Astros. Once he's cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Garcia will likely need most of the 30-day window to build up his pitch count and hone his command before the Astros deem him a viable option for the rotation.

France (shoulder) most recently tossed a 26-pitch bullpen session June 27, MLB.com reports.

France has been facing live hitters for nearly a month and had been scheduled to to do so on June 27, but poor weather prompted the Astros to alter those plans and have France throw a bullpen session instead. The Astros haven't indicated that France threw again in the week since that that 26-pitch side session, so the right-hander could be in the midst of a brief de-loading period as he works his way back from July 1, 2024 surgery to repair a torn right shoulder capsule. France is likely at least a couple weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment, and he's not expected to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until late in the 2025 season.

Javier (elbow) threw two simulated innings Tuesday during his most recent live batting practice session, MLB.com reports.

Javier followed up the two-inning live BP by throwing a bullpen session Friday. The right-hander will presumably face hitters again at some point within the next few days, and if all goes well, the Astros could clear Javier to head out on a rehab assignment at some point shortly after the All-Star break. Javier is working his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery and is likely to require close to a full 30-day rehab window in the minors before the Astros bring him back from the 60-day injured list.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Arrighetti (thumb) is expected to complete one more bullpen session before he faces live hitters, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti completed 15- and 20-pitch bullpen sessions June 24 and June 27, respectively, so he'll presumably build on that pitch count while mixing in all of his offerings during his next side session. The right-hander will likely need to throw multiple live batting practice sessions before then heading out on a rehab assignment, perhaps shortly after the All-Star break. Arrighetti appears to be tracking toward a late-July or early-August return from the 60-day injured list, but a more precise target date won't come into focus until he's out on the rehab assignment.

Kirby (3-4) earned the win in Sunday's game against the Pirates, allowing four hits and no walks across 6.1 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts.

The Seattle right-hander bagged his third consecutive quality start, as he generated an impressive 19 whiffs out of his 93 total pitches. Kirby completely controlled the Pittsburgh lineup, who never threatened to do damage, tallying just four singles. With this effort, Kirby lowered his ERA from 4.85 to 4.22 across 49 total frames while managing to push his K/9 up to 9.2. The 27-year-old is currently slated to make his next start at Detroit next weekend.

Skenes pitched five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and no walks in a no-decision Sunday at Seattle. He struck out 10.

Despite a short 78-pitch outing, the Pittsburgh ace managed to notch his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season. Skenes completely dominated the Mariners lineup to mark his fifth walk-free start of the season while allowing just one extra-base hit -- a Julio Rodriguez double in the third. Skenes now sports a stellar 1.94 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 125:30 K:BB across 116 frames. The 23-year-old was named to his second consecutive All-Star team Sunday and is currently scheduled to make his last appearance before the break at Minnesota next weekend.