MLB Player News

Lopez (11-8) earned the win Monday against the Royals, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The Minnesota righty picked up his 12th quality start of the season with this 96-pitch effort. He looked to be in for a rough outing after allowing a solo homer -- his 22nd given up this season -- to Bobby Witt in the opening frame. However, Lopez settled in and generated a solid 15 whiffs en route to his fifth career win against Kansas City. The 28-year-old has been dependable since the All-Star break, going 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB over 31 innings. He is currently slated to face the Rangers on the road for his next start this weekend.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Monday against the Rays.

Diaz extended a modest hitting streak to six games with the three-run blast. He's also reached base safely in 16 of his last 17 with an on-base percentage of .413 and 10 extra-base hits including four homers, 14 RBI and 10 runs over that stretch.

Singer (8-8) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings against Minnesota. He struck out nine.

Despite notching nine or more punchouts for the third time this season and allowing his first homer since the All-Star break, Kansas City right-hander was saddled with his second straight loss. Singer coughed up all six runs in a rough second inning that saw both Willi Castro and Royce Lewis launch homers. Overall, the 28-year-old now owns a 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 130:39 K:BB across 135.2 innings this season. He lines up to face the Reds in Cincinnati in his next start this weekend.

Bradley (6-7) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Astros. He struck out six.

Bradley was mostly done in by a four-run third that was capped by a three-run blast off the bat of Yainer Diaz. Ultimately, Bradley was unable to escape the fifth, having allowed a total of six runs en route to his seventh loss. Following a 10-game stretch in which Bradley completed at least five innings during each start and allowed two or fewer runs nine times, Bradley has now failed to complete five in each of his last two while allowing a total of 11 earned runs. Despite his recent struggles, Bradley's season-long totals remain strong with a 3.49 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 112 strikeouts over 95.1 innings. His next opportunity is not slated to be any easier, as he's currently set to face off against the red-hot Diamondbacks in Tampa.

Buxton was removed from Monday's game against the Royals due to right hip discomfort, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

This appears to be a minor injury for Buxton, who is being considered day-to-day by the team. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Minnesota hold Buxton out for a day or two given his injury history, but he'll likely be re-evaluated Tuesday morning before a decision is made on his availability going forward.

Valdez (12-5) earned the win Monday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out nine.

Valdez allowed Taylor Walls to double his season total in extra-base hits but otherwise allowed just a couple of singles and a walk that tallied merely one run. Valdez was on track for a quality start, but a two-out walk left him at 101 pitches and his night ended one out shy of his 13th such effort on the season. The veteran lefty hasn't taken the loss during any of his last nine starts, going 7-0 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while punching out 66 batters over 57 innings during that stretch. He's next slated to take the hill in a highly favorable home matchup against the fledgling White Sox.

The Guardians promoted Velazquez from Single-A Lynchburg to High-A Lake County on Monday.

Though the Guardians have seemingly closed the door on developing Velazquez as a catcher, the 19-year-old has cemented himself as one of the organization's top position prospects thanks to the slugging potential he brings as a first baseman. He put that power on display during his time with Lynchburg, notching 31 extra-base hits over 375 plate appearances while also keeping his strikeout rate (20 percent) in check. Velazquez will get a tougher test as he makes the move to the Midwest League, where he'll once again be one of the youngest hitters on the circuit.

Murfee (elbow) tossed 25 pitches in live batting practice at the Astros' spring training facility in Florida on Monday, MLB.com reports.

Throwing live BP represents another milestone in the recovery process for Murfee, who underwent surgery last July to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. The Astros could have him throw a couple more live BP sessions before he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Murfee could be an option for the Houston bullpen in late August or early September.

Tucker (shin) rejoined the Astros on Monday and completed an extended workout prior to the team's series opener versus the Rays, MLB.com reports.

Tucker didn't travel with the team for the first two legs of its road trip, but the Tampa, Fla. native met up with the Astros while they kicked off a three-game series against his hometown squad. The 27-year-old proceeded to turn in a rigorous workout, doing some throwing while also taking part in drills in the outfield that included some short sprints, side-to-side movements and fielding pop flies hit by a fungo bat. Manager Joe Espada came away pleased with how Tucker looked during the workout, but the skipper noted that the outfielder still needs to show more improvement before the Astros are able to map out a rehab assignment for him. Tucker has been on the injured list since June 7 with what general manager Dana Brown has previously described as a deep bruise in his right shin bone, derailing what had been shaping up as a career-best season.

Guerrero didn't appear in any games in the rookie-level Florida Complex League after June 22 due to lingering problems in his right shoulder, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Guerrero previously suffered a torn labrum in the shoulder last summer and required surgery, but he was cleared for the start of the FCL season in early May. The 18-year-old performed well with a .324/.448/.461 slash line with eight extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases over 28 games, only to be shut down for the final month of the FCL season when his shoulder began acting up again. Dykstra hasn't indicated that Guerrero will require another surgery, so the expectation remains that the outfielder will be healthy again by the springtime.