MLB Player News

Sears (6-7) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out eight.

The southpaw fell one out short of his seventh quality start of the season, getting lifted after a season-high 114 pitches (70 strikes), but it was still an impressive showing from Sears. Since getting rocked for 12 runs and four homers in 5.2 innings over back-to-back starts against the Twins in June, he's delivered a stingy 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB in his last three trips to the mound. Sears will now get an extended rest, as he's not in line to pitch again until after the All-Star break.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Maldonado entered July with only one home run for the season, but he's now slugged three long balls in his last four games. He'll remain the clear backup to Korey Lee on the depth chart and has typically been drawing a start every three games.

Leasure allowed one earned run on one hit across one inning to earn a hold in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

He still earned his ninth hold of the season despite serving up a solo homer to Matt Wallner. Leasure has made two appearances since rejoining the big-league club Monday, though he's given up three homers and five earned runs. The White Sox may be interested in continuing to give Leasure looks in high-leverage situations to aid his development, but he's allowed at least one earned run in five of his last 10 outings.

Robert went 1-for-7 with a two-run home run and a stolen base across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Robert got off to a sluggish start after being activated from the injured list June 4, but he's picked things up of late. His homer Wednesday was his fourth long ball in his last 13 games, and he's hit .280 with 10 RBI and nine runs scored in that span. Robert has also been aggressive on the basepaths, swiping seven bags without being caught since June 19.

Eflin (5-6) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over seven innings as the Rays fell 2-1 to the Yankees. He struck out six.

The right-hander put together one of his better performances of the season, but a lack of run support forced Eflin to settle for his sixth quality start of the year rather than a win. His control remains impeccable -- Eflin has walked one batter or fewer in 11 straight outings, posting a 3.94 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 48:5 K:BB through 64 innings over that stretch. He'll enjoy a breather as he doesn't line up to make another start ahead of the All-Star break.

Holmes struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings Wednesday to record his 20th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Rays.

It was Holmes' first save since June 9, as he'd blown his last two chances while posting a worrying 10.80 ERA over his past seven appearances. Despite the rough stretch, he still sports a 2.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB through 37.1 innings on the season and has already banked his third straight 20-save campaign.

Stroman came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Rays, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Yankees staked Stroman to a 2-0 lead through four innings, but the veteran right-hander couldn't hang around long enough to record the win. Instead, he got the hook after 84 pitches (49 strikes), leaving the mound with the bases loaded and needing the New York bullpen to bail him out. Stroman has completed six innings only once in his last seven outings, delivering a shaky 5.30 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB through 35.2 innings over that stretch. He'll now get an extended rest, as he isn't scheduled to make another start before the All-Star break.

Bassitt (8-7) earned the win over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Two of the three runs charged to Bassitt came across in the opening frame after he surrendered a leadoff single to LaMonte Wade and allowed him to advance to second on a passed ball. The right-hander then gave up back-to-back RBI singles with two outs, though he wouldn't permit another run until the fifth. He induced 10 whiffs in the contest but also walked four batters for the second consecutive start. Bassitt has now gone at least five innings in 13 straight outings and has won two of his last three.

Moniak went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over Texas.

Moniak gave the Angels a 4-1 lead with his three-run homer in the bottom of the second and later added a single, giving him his second multi-hit effort in his last three games. Over that brief stretch he's batting .333 (4-for-12) with two extra-base hits, five RBI and three runs scored. However, Moniak's average on the season still sits at .198 following Wednesday's performance, and he's batting .222 in July (6-for-27). The home run was his fifth of the campaign and his first since his grand slam against Oakland on June 25.

Neto went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Neto singled in his first trip to the plate before coming around to score on a Mickey Moniak homer in the following at-bat as the Angels took an early 4-0 lead. The shortstop would then drive home three runs of his own over the course of the night, starting with an RBI double in the third and finishing with a two-run blast in the eighth, giving him his 12th long ball of the campaign. Neto has now posted multiple hits in back-to-back games, while Wednesday marked his third three-hit performance this season.