MLB Player News

Cecconi (3-4) was saddled with a loss after throwing six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five, during Friday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.

Cecconi rebounded from his second start of under five innings his last time out to the tune of six innings of two-run ball against one of the best lineups in MLB. The 26-year-old allowed two home runs, the second straight start in which he's allowed a long ball, but kept the Guardians in the game and gave them a chance to win. The right-hander's ERA is down to 3.56, lowest among all Guardians starting pitchers, with the caveat being he's made only eight appearances so far. Cecconi's last scheduled start before the break lines up to come against the Astros on the road next week.

Adell went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run during Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

Adell accounted for all three Angels runs with one mighty swing, a 431-foot bomb to center field that tied up what was a 3-0 ballgame. The 26-year-old continues to be one of baseball's hottest hitters, boasting a hit streak that has now reached 15 games. Over that time, he is 22-for-56 (.393 batting average) with six home runs and 16 RBI.

Hendricks took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with no walks while striking out two, during Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

Hendricks has continued to be a consistent innings-eater for the Angels this season. Since the calendar turned to May, the 35-year-old has worked through at least five innings and hasn't allowed more than four earned runs in any start, a streak that now spans 12 starts. Encouragingly, the right-hander kept the ball in the park, only the fifth time he hasn't allowed a home run in 17 appearances, but he has yet to go back-to-back starts without giving one up. That might not bode too well for his next scheduled start, which is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Rangers.

Lauer took a no-decision after throwing six innings, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six, during Friday's 4-3 win over the Angels.

Whether in bulk relief or as a starter, Lauer has had a strong campaign, and he continued that Friday with his longest start of the season. The 30-year-old seems fully stretched out to be able to handle a starter's workload now, which is a welcome boost to the Blue Jays' rotation. The left-hander has not allowed more than three runs in an appearance all season, and he holds a 3-0 record with a 2.59 ERA and 33 strikeouts 31.1 innings pitched since June 1. Lauer will get a chance to build upon this outing when he makes his next start, scheduled to be on the road at the White Sox.

Rocker took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four, during Friday's 3-2 loss the Padres.

Rocker struggled in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, but he has been much better in the four starts since. The 25-year-old hurler has allowed just six runs in his last 21.2 innings while striking out 20 batters. It's the most consistent stretch of pitching the right-hander has displayed at the MLB level, and he's looking more and more like the pitcher the Rangers drafted him to be in the first round back in 2022. Rocker is scheduled to make his next start on the road at the Angels next week.

Thomas was removed from Friday's game against the Tigers due to mild plantar fasciitis symptoms, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Thomas went 0-for-2 in Friday's contest before his foot forced him to make an early exit in the sixth inning. It remains to be seen how much time, if any, the 29-year-old will miss, though the Guardians should provide more details in the near future.

Woo (8-4) earned the win Friday against the Pirates, giving up no runs on three hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

Woo continued to rack up punchouts Friday, retiring at least eight by way of strikeout for his third start in a row. The 25-year-old right-hander has remarkably tossed at least six innings in each of his first 17 outings of the season, and three of his last four appearances have come without an earned run on his ledger. Woo holds a superb 2.77 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 104:19 K:BB across 107.1 innings, and he's next set for a tough test against the Yankees in the Bronx.

Gimenez was removed from Friday's game against the Angels due to an ankle injury, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gimenez tweaked his ankle while running from first to third base in the sixth inning. The 26-year-old's ankle has been problematic recently, as he sat out Thursday's game after twisting it Wednesday. Now dealing with his second ankle injury in three days, Gimenez could end up spending time on the injured list so he can heal properly.

The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Waters has been in a slump at the plate recently, going 1-for-19 since June 24. His struggles will ultimately cost him his place on the active roster and open up playing time in the outfield for Nick Loftin, John Rave and Mark Canha. Luke Maile was selected from Omaha to fill the open roster spot.

The Royals selected Maile's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Salvador Perez has been playing through a bit of calf tightness recently, so the Royals will bring up Maile to provid insurance behind the plate in case Perez ends up on the IL. The 34-year-old Maile has done well in the minors this year, slashing .280/.416/.354 through 101 plate appearances at Triple-A. Drew Waters was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding move.