MLB Player News

Westburg went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored during Friday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The 26-year-old infielder opened up the scoring Friday with an RBI single in the first inning and was later driven in by a Ryan O'Hearn double. Westburg smacked two more singles in the third and seventh innings, both of which also led to him coming across the plate. Since returning last Friday from a finger injury that kept him sidelined for five games, Westburg has now turned in three multi-hit performances and is 11-for-25 with three homers, seven RBI and nine runs scored.

Soderstrom went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Soderstrom has logged four multi-hit efforts over his last five games, adding three homers in that span. The 23-year-old contributed his solo shot Friday in the sixth inning as the Athletics attempted to rally from a 7-0 deficit. Soderstrom is up to 17 long balls on the year, good for second on the team behind Brent Rooker (19). Across 95 games, Soderstrom has added 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, five stolen bases, 14 doubles, one triple and a .265/.344/.461 slash line.

Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Kurtz sparked the Athletics' comeback effort with his homer in the sixth inning. While he's had a penchant for clutch blasts this year, he struck out swinging in the ninth, ending a rally one run short of tying the game. The first baseman also picked up the first steal of his career Friday, which is just the second theft in his time as a professional. In other words, don't count on him for speed. Kurtz has delivered just fine with power alone, slashing .251/.330/.543 with 16 homers, 42 RBI, 30 runs scored, eight doubles and one triple over 56 contests.

Severino (2-11) allowed five runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Blue Jays on Friday.

Severino was cruising until he gave up a run in the fourth inning. He found more trouble in the fifth, which ultimately led to his exit from the game and his fifth consecutive loss. He's fallen short of completing five innings in each of his last three starts, and he's given up at least five runs in six of his last eight outings, though it wasn't all his fault when things fell apart Friday. Severino now has a 5.16 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB through 113.1 innings across 20 starts this season. The Athletics don't have the depth nor the competitive need to replace the veteran in their rotation, so expect him to continue starting every fifth game in the second half.

Kremer (8-7) earned the win Friday over Miami, giving up three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings while striking out seven batters.

It's hard to ask for a better bounce-back performance than the one Kremer delivered after giving up five runs in 4.1 innings during his previous outing in Atlanta. He never allowed more than one baserunner in an inning Friday, and only one of the four Marlins who reached base against him made it to third. The 29-year-old righty has been fairly inconsistent this year, but with his latest showing, he now owns a 2.17 ERA and 1.00 WHIP alongside a 27:6 K:BB across 29 innings over his last five starts. He's also collected three wins in that span.

Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 7-6 win over the Athletics.

Guerrero's first hit of the game was the 1,000th of his career, making him the youngest player in Blue Jays history to reach that mark. He's been a little quiet at the plate to begin July, going 9-for-36 (.250) with no home runs, two RBI and a 7:7 BB:K over his first nine games this month. Overall, the first baseman has a .279/.384/.439 slash line with 12 home runs, 46 RBI, 57 runs scored and five steals across 92 contests this season.

Straw went 1-for-4 with one RBI and one stolen base in Friday's 7-6 win over the Athletics.

Straw's playing time remains sporadic, though he was in the lineup for the second game in a row versus a right-handed pitcher. He got the start in center field while Nathan Lukes covered for Joey Loperfido (illness) in left. Straw's biggest asset is his speed, but he's collected just seven steals on eight attempts this year. The outfielder has added a .247/.292/.313 slash line with one home run, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored and eight doubles across 183 plate appearances. While he's holding onto a part-time role for now, there's no guarantee Straw will keep his spot in the majors once the Blue Jays' outfield gets Daulton Varsho (hamstring) and Anthony Santander (shoulder) back in the fold.

Scherzer (1-0) allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Friday.

Scherzer threw a season-high 90 pitches (59 strikes) to secure his first win and first quality start of the season. He was sharp through five innings before serving up a two-run home run to Nick Kurtz and a solo shot to Tyler Soderstrom in the sixth. Scherzer is now at a 4.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 23 innings over five starts this year. He's dealt with inflammation in his thumb throughout the year and will likely have to manage the issue in the second half as well, which could limit his effectiveness and ability to pitch deeper into games if the issue flares up.

Dubin (forearm) recently resumed throwing off flat ground at the Astros' spring facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., MLB.com reports.

Dubin landed on the injured list June 24 due to a right forearm strain but has made the first step toward a return by playing catch. He'll still need to advance to throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters before heading out on a rehab assignment, setting him up for a possible return from the injured list in late July or early August.

Rodriguez (forearm) exited his rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday after facing only three batters, MLB.com reports.

There hasn't been any official word on why Rodriguez departed, but it wasn't pre-planned and his velocity fell to just 91.6 mph. He will now almost certainly not be activated prior to the All-Star break, but a further timeline is not yet clear.