MLB Player News

Lee tossed two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.

Lee allowed six runs across two appearances earlier this month, but he's bounced back with three straight scoreless outings. The rookie righty has been good overall with a 3.31 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 35.1 innings this year. Lee generally sees low-leverage work, which limits his fantasy upside, though the 26-year-old is making a case for a larger role in future seasons based on his promising debut campaign.

Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.

Torkelson had one of just five Detroit hits on the afternoon and scored the team's lone run. While it's a modest stat line for the slugger, Torkelson did at least continue his solid start to the second half, as he's now 7-for-22 with three doubles and two runs scored across six games following the break. The 25-year-old remains a boom-or-bust fantasy option with tremendous power potential.

Paddack didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

Paddack was able to keep a dangerous Dodgers lineup in check, but he was taken deep by the red-hot Shohei Ohtani for a solo shot in the first inning. It was an impressive bounce-back effort by Paddack, who registered his most strikeouts since his June 1 start in Seattle and threw at least six frames for the first time since a June 7 outing versus Toronto. The right-hander's shaky 4.95 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 83:27 K:BB over 111 innings still render him tough to trust his next time out versus the Red Sox, who have a .823 OPS against right-handed pitching over 18 games since the start of July.

Walter did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out five.

Walter got off to an inauspicious start Wednesday, allowing a home run to Ketel Marte on his first pitch of the game. However, the damage would stop there, as the left-hander held the D-Backs scoreless over his final six innings while allowing just three more hits. While he doesn't have a win since June 27, Walter has delivered three consecutive quality starts, allowing just four runs over 19 innings in that span. His ERA is down to 3.35 with a 0.93 WHIP and an impressive 52:4 K:BB across nine starts (53.2 innings) this season. Walter is currently in line to face the Nationals at home in his next outing.

Pasquantino went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Cubs.

The first baseman gave the Royals an early lead that the team would never relinquish with a two-run shot off Colin Rea in the first inning, and Pasquantino added a second two-run blast against the righty in the fifth. It's his second multi-homer game of the month for Vinny P, who's batting .279 (19-for-68) through 17 games in July with six doubles, five home runs, eight runs and 14 RBI.

Lugo (7-5) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Cubs, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The veteran righty delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 95 pitches, with 30 called or swinging strikes among his 58 total strikes. Lugo has lasted at least six innings in six of his last seven outings as he potentially auditions for a contender ahead of the trade deadline, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB through 42.1 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make what could be his last start with the Royals at home early next week against Atlanta.

Castillo (7-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing six runs (three earned) on 10 hits over five innings. He struck out seven.

The 10 hits allowed matched a season high for Castillo, who would take his first loss since June 18 -- the right-hander had pitched to a stellar 1.46 ERA in four starts (24.2 innings) prior to Wednesday. Overall, Castillo sports a 3.30 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 107:36 K:BB over 21 starts (120 innings) this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the A's.

Alexander is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to start Thursday against the Athletics in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

With Lance McCullers (finger) landing on the 15-day injured list, Alexander will be brought up from Triple-A to fill the opening in the Houston rotation. The 32-year-old right-hander has excelled over eight appearances (seven starts) with Sugar Land this season, notching a 1.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB across 42.2 innings. However, he hasn't had as much success in the majors, posting an 8.40 ERA across 15 innings between the Athletics and Astros. With a respectable showing Thursday, Alexander could be in store for additional turns through the rotation until Houston gets one or two of McCullers, Cristian Javier (elbow), Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) back from the IL.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land after Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez was recalled by the Astros on Tuesday to fill out the 26-man roster after Lance McCullers (finger) was placed on the 15-day injured list. However, Hernandez will head back to Triple-A, and that roster spot will be filled by Jason Alexander, who is expected to start against the Athletics on Thursday. Hernandez has spent most of the season in Triple-A, where he has a 1.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, three saves and a 48:17 K:BB across 37 innings.

Kelly (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Greenville on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Kelly tweaked his right oblique during a relief appearance against the Blue Jays in late June, which prompted his placement on the 15-day injured list. The veteran right-hander has recovered enough to embark on a rehab assignment, and he'll need multiple appearances before returning to the Red Sox's bullpen. Kelly posted a 5.56 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 22.2 innings prior to his injury.