MLB Player News

Estes is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Dodgers in Oakland.

Estes had started in each of his first 13 appearances with the Athletics this season before he was deployed for 2.2 innings of relief this past Friday against the Angels behind starter Paul Blackburn, who was lifted after five innings in his first outing back from the 60-day injured list. The Athletics traded Blackburn to the Mets on Tuesday, so Estes' brief run in the bullpen will come to an end as he reclaims the vacated rotation spot.

Kikuchi is scheduled to make his first start with the Astros on Friday versus the Rays in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros didn't need to open up a spot in their rotation for Kikuchi, as fifth starter Jake Bloss was sent back to Toronto along with outfielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner in Monday's trade that landed the veteran southpaw in Houston. Kikuchi had cruised to a 2.64 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while delivering quality starts in six of his first 10 outings with Toronto this season, but aside from a career-best 13-strikeout effort July 9 in San Francisco, he had often been knocked around by opposing lineups over the past two months before being traded. He posted a strong 69:17 K:BB in 57.2 innings in his final 12 starts with Toronto but he also gave up 13 home runs during that stretch, which led to an inflated 6.87 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

Rodriguez will start Sunday's road game against the Yankees, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

After posting a 2.01 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his first four starts of July, Rodriguez unraveled in his latest outing Monday. Taking the hill for Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Orioles, Rodriguez failed to escape the first inning while exhibiting a complete loss of control. He spotted just 21 of his 43 pitches for strikes and recorded two outs while allowing four runs (three earned) on four walks and one hit. Toronto optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo following the outing, only to recall him Tuesday as a replacement for Yusei Kikuchi, who was traded to Houston. Despite the rough outing Monday, Rodriguez will stick in the rotation for another turn, though he might have a shorter leash. Bowden Francis started the second game of Monday's doubleheader and tossed 5.2 innings of three-run ball, and while he's not in line to start this weekend against the Yankees, the Blue Jays could elect to have him piggyback with Rodriguez if the latter struggles to find the strike zone early on in Sunday's contest.

Thorpe (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings as the White Sox were downed 10-3 by the Royals. He failed to strike out a batter.

The rookie right-hander got tagged for at least one run in each of the first three innings, with a two-run shot by Freddy Fermin in the second being the biggest blow. Thorpe reeled off five straight quality starts at one point, but over his last two outings he's been crushed for 14 runs in only 5.2 innings, sending his ERA soaring from 3.03 to 5.48. He'll try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Oakland.

Fermin went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the White Sox.

Fermin launched a two-run shot off Drew Thorpe in the second inning, giving the Royals an early 3-0 lead. The 29-year-old backstop continues to see a nearly full-time role as Salvador Perez slides out from behind the plate and gets work at DH and first base as well, and over 18 games in July, Fermin is batting .345 (19-for-55) with two homers, eight runs and eight RBI.

Garcia went 2-for-6 with two runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the White Sox.

The 24-year-old wasted no time in making an impact, singling, stealing second and scoring in the first inning. Garcia has been heating up to close the books on July, batting .302 (13-for-43) over his last 11 games with 13 runs and four of his 25 stolen bases on the season.

Singer (8-6) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings in a 10-3 rout of the White Sox. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The right-hander gave up three straight hits to lead off the bottom of the second inning, with all three Chicago runners eventually coming around to score, but otherwise Singer held the opposition in check as he collected his third straight win and fourth in his last five outings. The 27-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, posting a 2.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB through 54 innings over that stretch. Singer will look to extend his win streak in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come early next week at home against the Red Sox.

Manager Alex Cora said Jansen tweaked his lower back during Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Jansen appeared to be hurting on the mound during the ninth frame of Wednesday's win, though he remained in the game and finished the inning after Boston's training staff checked on him. He'll get an extra day to rest during the Red Sox's day off Thursday, and he'll be re-evaluated before Friday's game against Texas.

Wallner went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Mets.

The 26-year-old outfielder got hold of a Luis Severino changeup in the third inning and crushed it over the wall in right-center field, capping a five-run frame for the Twins. Wallner has gone yard three times in his last four starts, and since rejoining the big-league roster in early July he's batting .364 (16-for-44) in 15 contests with five of his six homers on the season.

Lopez (10-7) picked up the win Wednesday in an 8-3 victory over the Mets, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 103 pitches (66 strikes), and his only real mistake on the afternoon got driven down the right-field line by Mark Vientos in the second inning for a two-run homer. Lopez has allowed two runs or less in six of his last seven starts, posting a 2.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 55:10 K:BB through 44 innings over that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the Cubs.