MLB Player News

Rasmussen (2-4) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.

Rasmussen needed only 81 pitches to complete six frames for the first time this year. While Saturday marked his first win since his season debut March 31, the 29-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of nine starts. He'll carry a 2.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB across 46 innings into a home matchup with the Blue Jays next weekend.

Holliday went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and three RBI in Saturday's 10-6 loss to the Nationals.

Holliday doubled to lead off the first inning and later added a three-run home run in the ninth. The 21-year-old has now hit safely in four straight games, including consecutive multi-hit performances. He's slashing .269/.329/.425 with five homers, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored and two steals across 146 plate appearances this season, and he's hit leadoff in each of the Orioles' past four games against right-handed starters.

Valdez will start Sunday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Valdez was originally slated to start Monday, but the Astros appear set to return to a five-man rotation. He'll still be on regular rest and has worked at least seven innings in three of his last four starts. Ryan Gusto looks to be destined for a relief role as a result of this move.

Gusto allowed two walks and struck out a batter while working a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Rangers.

Gusto was a candidate to start Sunday's series finale, but his recent struggles -- he's allowed 10 runs (seven earned) across his last four innings -- may have temporarily cost him a rotation spot. Framber Valdez is likely to start Sunday's game, though that has not yet been confirmed. If the Astros elect to maintain a six-man rotation heading into their upcoming seven-game week, Gusto could still be in line for a start once he has a few days to recover from Saturday's 30-pitch appearance.

Hoffman (4-2) walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to pick up the win in a 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

With the score tied 1-1, Toronto's closer was brought in to work the top of the ninth and saw a leadoff walk erased on a double play started by Nathan Lukes, who threw out Gleyber Torres trying to tag up and advance to second base on a fly ball deep into the left-field corner. Hoffman then collected the win on Ernie Clement's walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. It was a reassuring effort from Hoffman after he got tagged for five runs in one-third of an inning during his previous appearance, but he's having an awful May overall with a 19.80 ERA in five innings while going just 3-for-5 in save chances.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits over three innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

A solo shot by Spencer Torkelson in the second inning was the only blemish on Lauer's line, but the southpaw was lifted after just 40 pitches (31 strikes). He's been very effective in his four big-league appearances this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through 12 innings, but the Blue Jays have been reluctant to let him go too deep into games. He'll continue to help fill out the rotation along with Jose Urena, and one or both pitchers could be deployed when the team next needs a fifth starter, a spot which could come up next weekend in Tampa Bay.

Olson came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays, scattering one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander faced only one batter above the minimum and didn't let a Toronto runner get past first base in his third quality start of the season, but Olson saw his fifth win of the year slip away when the Detroit bullpen fell apart late. He's blanked the opposition in four of his last six trips to the mound, posting a 1.60 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB through 33.2 innings over that stretch. Olson will look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Guardians.

Wells was pulled from his start with Double-A Chesapeake on Saturday due to left abdominal discomfort, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

There's not much detail about the severity of the injury, though it's encouraging that it's not an arm issue. Wells has pitched well with Chesapeake this season, maintaining a 3.08 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 23:6 K:BB across 26.1 frames.

Kittredge (knee) threw a scoreless inning while allowing one walk and striking out two Saturday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Norfolk.

Kittredge made appearances on consecutive days for the first time since beginning his rehab assignment May 4. He's now made six appearances between Norfolk and High-A Aberdeen, striking out six batters while allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings. Kittredge looks on track to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week.

Meidroth went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Cubs.

The shortstop led off the game with his first homer of the season as part of his third multi-hit performance during a five-game hit streak. Meidroth has improved his OPS from .579 to .726 during that stretch, while Saturday's pilfer was his fifth in five attempts over 23 contests this season as he looks to establish himself as a reliable leadoff presence for the White Sox.