MLB Player News

Criswell (3-4) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out one.

After allowing a run in the first inning, Criswell would give up three unearned runs in the second following a Romy Gonzalez error. Despite the rough start, Criswell would battle through six innings, delivering a quality start in his first big-league outing since June 15. Overall, the 27-year-old Criswell sports a 4.03 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 50:15 K:BB across 58 big-league innings this year. With Josh Winckowski moving to the bullpen, it appears that Criswell will remain in the Red Sox rotation following the All-Star break.

Butler went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Phillies.

Butler opened the game on the bench but crushed a two-run homer that traveled 414 feet in his only at-bat after pinch hitting for Tyler Nevin in the eighth inning. While Butler has struggled for much of the year and typically sits against left-handed pitching, he has been gone 10-for-32 in July with four home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases.

Miranda was scratched from Minnesota's lineup ahead of Friday's game versus the Giants due to lower-back stiffness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Miranda was originally slated to start at third base Friday, but instead it will be Brooks Lee at the hot corner with Willi Castro at second base, opening up a spot in the outfield for Matt Wallner. The severity of Miranda's injury remains uncertain, though the Twins may offer more details on his status following Friday's game.

Ragans (6-6) earned the win Friday over the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

Ceddanne Rafaela drove in the lone run against Ragans with a two-out double in the second inning. Otherwise, the left-hander was excellent Friday, making it through seven frames for a second straight outing. He has held opponents to two runs or fewer in nine of his last 11 starts, posting a 2.39 ERA over that span (67.2 innings). Ragans, who'll represent the Royals at the All-Star Game next week, wraps up the first half with a 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 141 strikeouts, good for third most in the league.

Carrasco (3-7) took the loss against the Rays on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings.

Carrasco battled Friday, but the Guardians were unable to get anything going against Taj Bradley in a 2-0 loss. The veteran leaned on his offspeed offerings for 53 of his 82 pitches and has now yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his past five starts. He will take a 5.02 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 68:26 K:BB across 86 innings into the All-Star break.

Bradley (4-4) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings.

Bradley dominated one of the best lineups in baseball, generating 15 swinging strikes on 97 pitches and retiring 10 straight hitters at one point. He has now logged back-to-back quality starts and has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his past seven outings. The 23-year-old heads into the All-Star break with an impressive 2.90 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 85:24 K:BB over 68.1 innings this season.

Harris did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 win against the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and six walks with no strikeouts over three innings.

Harris generated only two swinging strikes on 70 pitches. The southpaw doubled his season high in walks with six, but he has not surrendered more than three earned runs in an outing since his first appearance May 7. He will take a 3.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 35:23 K:BB across 47.2 innings into the All-Star break.

Perez was removed from Friday's game against the Red Sox due to cramping.

The Royals didn't specify where exactly Perez was hurting, but he was apparently in enough discomfort to warrant his removal in the eighth inning. His status for Saturday's contest is unclear, though it's possible he receives a day off in order to manage the issue.

Kiermaier told Hazel Mae of Sportsnet that he has cleared waivers, and he is starting in center field and batting eighth in Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks.

Kiermaier was placed on revocable waivers Thursday, after the 34-year-old has slashed just .183/.232/.290 with a 32.3 percent strikeout rate this season. He will remain in Toronto for now with no team having claimed him off waivers, and the Blue Jays have the option of keeping him around or releasing him from the roster. Kiermaier re-signed with the Blue Jays in the offseason on a one-year, $10.5 million contract.

Varsho (knee) is batting fifth and playing left field Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Varsho was lifted from Wednesday's game against San Francisco with a left knee contusion and was given the day off Thursday. However, he'll rejoin the lineup Friday against Ryne Nelson and the Diamondbacks. Varsho is 4-for-24 with five walks and a stolen base in July.