MLB Player News

Schlittler took a no-decision Saturday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

It looked like a rough day was brewing for Schlittler, who served up a pair of first-inning solo home runs, but he settled in and silenced the Washington bats the rest of the way. The four walks were a season-worst figure, though it didn't end up biting him Saturday. The All-Star right-hander is now up to 12 quality starts already this year. Schlittler trails only Dylan Cease's 148 strikeouts for the American League lead in the category, sporting a 2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 137:25 K:BB over 118.2 innings.

Reds manager Terry Francona said after Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Cubs that Lodolo (finger) will likely require a stint on the injured list, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Lodolo was pulled in the sixth inning of Saturday due to a blister on his left finger, taking a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five frames. The southpaw notably missed the first six weeks of the season due to a blister on the same finger, though it's unclear if he'll require as lengthy of an absence this time around. Assuming the Reds move him to the IL on Sunday, Lodolo wouldn't be eligible to pitch again until July 27.

Ryan didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Angels, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander continues to have trade rumors circling his head, but Ryan didn't let it bother him Saturday, delivering his 12th quality start of the season on 94 pitches (61 strikes). He was in line for his seventh win of the year, but the Twins' bullpen let the lead slip away in the top of the seventh before the Minnesota offense surged ahead for good. Ryan has fired two straight quality starts and will take a 2.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 128:25 K:BB through 110.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Javier will start for the Astros on Sunday versus Texas, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier will take the mound for Houston's final game before the All-Star break after coming out of the bullpen in his previous two outings following a nearly three-month stint on the injured list. While the right-hander threw only 39 and 30 pitches, respectively, in those two relief appearances, he worked up to 85 pitches and six innings during a five-game rehab assignment, so his start Sunday could last several frames. Manager Joe Espada said after Javier returned from the IL that his move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, so it's possible that the 29-year-old hurler will remain in the rotation following the break if he fares well Sunday. However, all of Ronel Blanco (elbow), Lance McCullers (shoulder) and Hayden Wesneski (elbow) are in the midst of rehab assignments and could be ready to come off the IL by the end of July.

Johnson didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Twins, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out one.

The 23-year-old righty served up another homer, this one a two-run shot by Royce Lewis in the second inning, but Johnson was taken off the hook for the loss when the Angels tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh. Johnson has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four straight outings, posting a 4.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 20 innings, but even that shaky ERA hides five unearned runs. With Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) potentially back by the end of July, Johnson's may not last long in the big-league rotation following the All-Star break.

Taylor recorded his fourth save of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over the A's, walking one and striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.

The 24-year-old right-hander closed out the combined shutout, needing 22 pitches (14 strikes) to produce the final five outs. Taylor has collected two of Chicago's three saves in July, with the third going to southpaw Sean Newcomb, and the duo could handle the closing duties for the White Sox the rest of the way unless the club picks up a late-inning arm at the trade deadline. On the season, Taylor sports a 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 67:17 K:BB through 48.1 innings.

Dubon went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-1 loss to St. Louis.

Dubon got Atlanta on the board with a seventh-inning homer, but that was the team's lone run of the game. That long ball was his 10th of the campaign, which matches his career high from 2023 with the Astros. He has continued to hit well in July, going 12-for-42 (.286) with two homers and eight RBI over 11 contests this month. For the season, the utility man is batting .269 with a .749 OPS over 90 games.

Gore will serve as the Rangers' starting pitcher against Houston on Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gore last pitched Wednesday against the Angels, so he'll be working on only three days of rest. Texas manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Gore approached him and offered to take the mound in what was otherwise looking like it might be a bullpen game for the team. Gore tossed 90 pitches in his previous start, so he may have his workload monitored Sunday in the Rangers' final contest before the All-Star break. Given that Texas will then have four days off, Gore's start Sunday won't necessarily impact his usual slotting in the rotation.

Lopez (4-2) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to take the loss versus St. Louis on Saturday.

Lopez fell behind early after giving up a three-run home run to Lars Nootbaar in the first inning. Atlanta's offense never mounted much of a threat, leaving Lopez to take his first loss since April 21, which was the start that sent him to the bullpen for two months. He's allowed seven runs over 18 innings with a 15:4 K:BB over four starts since rejoining the rotation. Overall, Lopez has a 3.50 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 54:25 K:BB across 61.2 innings through 22 appearances (nine starts) this season.

Brubaker secured the save Saturday against Colorado, allowing a solo home run and no walks in two innings. He struck out two.

Caleb Kilian blew the save in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Rockies and also worked each of the past two days for the Giants, so the club called upon Brubaker for his first save chance of the year Saturday. San Francisco has struggled for stability at closer largely due to Ryan Walker's season-long ineffectiveness, leaving the door open for Brubaker to see more high-leverage work. He's taken advantage of those chances with a 2.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33:20 K:BB with three holds over 47 innings.