MLB Player News

Javier (elbow) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier had been limited to bullpen sessions until Thursday, but his ability to face hitters is a milestone in his recovery. All reportedly went well, with manager Joe Espada reporting Javier hit 95 mph with his fastball as he continues to ramp up coming off Tommy John surgery.

Skubal (8-2) earned the win Thursday in the opening game of a doubleheader with the Pirates, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Skubal came an out shy of recording his fourth straight quality start, though he was still able to pick up his fourth win in his last five outings. The left-hander had been on a stellar run ahead of Thursday's outing -- Skubal had allowed just one run while striking out 32 over 30.2 innings in his previous four starts. Overall, the reigning Cy Young winner sports a 2.06 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 117 strikeouts across 15 starts (96 innings) this year. Skubal is currently scheduled to face the A's at home in his next outing.

Wacha (4-6) came away with the win against Texas on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five across six innings.

Wacha faced the minimum number of batters in three of the six innings he pitched, and he kept the Rangers off the board until the sixth, when he yielded an RBI double to Marcus Semien. Thursday marked Wacha's seventh quality start of the season (three of which have come over his last four outings) and his 3.24 ERA (across 86 innings) is 16th best among qualified starters in the American League. He's lined up to face Tampa Bay at home next week.

Pasquantino went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run homer in Thursday's 4-1 win over Texas.

Pasquantino put the Royals on the board in the first inning with a two-run homer to right field off Shawn Armstrong. It was Pasquantino's 11th long ball of the season and third since the beginning of June. He is slashing .333/.412/.500 with one steal, eight runs scored and 10 RBI in 68 plate appearances this month.

Caglianone went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rangers.

Caglianone entered Thursday's game with a sub-.200 batting average in 52 plate appearances. However, he looked more composed at the plate as he collected his first major-league home run off Jacob Latz in the second inning before belting another solo homer in the ninth to give the Royals a three-run lead. Caglianone now has a .218/.232/.364 slash line through his first 14 big-league games.

Estevez earned the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rangers after recording no strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

For the second night in a row, Estevez was brought in for the ninth to protect a three-run lead, and he needed only 11 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side. He has converted 16 of his last 17 save opportunities, and his 21 saves is tied with Robert Suarez for most in the majors. Estevez sports a 1.93 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 32.2 innings this season.

Anderson (2-5) took the loss Thursday against the Yankees, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The Yankees got to Anderson early, scoring a run in the first inning before tacking on three more in the second thanks to back-to-back homers from Trent Grisham and Paul Goldschmidt. The 35-year-old Anderson has now dropped three straight starts while struggling to a 7.07 ERA in his last seven outings. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.56 with a 1.40 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB across 15 starts (81 innings) this season. Anderson will look to get on track in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Red Sox.

Kirk went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and an RBI single in Thursday's 9-5 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Kirk entered the game having gone 0-for-16 over his last four starts. He busted out and made a major impact Thursday, belting solo home runs in the second and seventh innings before driving in another run in the eighth. Kirk is up to seven home runs on the year, which surpasses his total from 2024 (five), and his .313 batting average is second best in the majors among qualified catchers behind Will Smith (.333).

Gausman (5-6) took the loss in Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

Gausman was rocked for four runs from Eugenio Suarez by virtue of a two-run homer in the second inning and a two-run double in the third before being tagged for three more in the fifth. Only 46 of Gausman's 81 pitches resulted in strikes, and the seven runs he allowed were his most in a start since June 30, 2024 against the Yankees. His 1.13 WHIP (across 86 innings) is 14th best in the American League among qualified starters, but his 4.60 ERA is eighth worst. Gausman is slated to make his next start against the Guardians on the road next week.

Williams didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Giants, giving up two hits and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Williams turned in his third scoreless start of the season, scattering two singles Thursday. The 25-year-old right-hander appears to be settling in a bit following a shaky start to the year -- which saw him log a 5.06 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through his first seven outings -- as he's produced a 2.49 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB covering his last eight appearances (43.1 innings). Up next for Williams is a scheduled matchup versus the hot-hitting Blue Jays, who are slugging .449 against right-handed pitching over their last 38 games.