MLB Player News

Johnson allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 scoreless innings Thursday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Johnson recorded his longest start since his season debut April 2. He did not allow the Twins to record an extra-base hit, continuing his season-long ability to limit the long ball. While he has had success in short outings as a starter, it has already been announced that he will be bumped from the starting rotation with the acquisition of Nathan Eovaldi.

Rodney allowed one hit and walked two batters while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to record his 22nd save of the season Thursday against the Red Sox.

As he is apt to do, Rodney made things interesting by loading the bases with two outs prior to striking out Jackie Bradley Jr. to end the game. Despite a shaky 1.35 WHIP, Rodney is 22-for-27 in save chances this season, good enough for the sixth highest mark in the American League.

Treinen worked around a hit Thursday to secure the save, striking out one batter in the 7-6 win over Texas.

Treinen's ERA is down to a minuscule 1.02 in 53 innings this season. He's now 27-for-31 in save chances and has punched out 69 batters in 2018. He's blown two saves in July, but those are the only two outings where he allowed runs during this month.

Pruitt didn't allow a baserunner and struck out three across 1.1 innings to earn his second save of the season Thursday against the Orioles.

Pruitt was called on to record the last four outs of the game and he came through, not allowing the tying run to reach base and striking out three of the four batters he faced. Sergio Romo has excelled in the closer role for the Rays, but entered the game in the seventh inning, presumably because the middle of the Orioles' order was due up. If Romo remains on the roster through the trade deadline, Pruitt is unlikely to receive more than a small handful of save chances.

Yarbrough (9-5) allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout across 4.1 innings to earn the win Thursday against the Orioles.

Yarbrough entered the game with runners on first and second in the second inning and ultimately stranded the bases loaded. He worked four full innings after, with a two-run shot by Jonathan Schoop accounting for his only earned runs of the game. That marked the first home run Yarbrough has allowed in an appearance since June 28, and he now has a solid 3.67 ERA across 98 innings this season.

Covey (4-6) took the loss Thursday against the Angels, surrendering six earned runs -- including two home runs -- over four innings. He struck out two and walked two over 86 pitches.

After tossing his best start of the season last time out, Covey reverted back to recent form with another disappointing outing. He's gone five-or-fewer innings in six of his last seven starts, surrendering 30 earned runs in 32.1 innings in that span. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday when the White Sox face the Royals.

Martin (groin) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Martin was able to throw a 20-pitch batting practice session Thursday, which was the final obstacle before heading out on a short rehab stint. The Rangers haven't formally announced how many appearances Martin will require in the minors, but it's expected that he will need multiple outings since he's been on the shelf for three weeks.

Treinen grabbed his 26th save in a win over the Rangers on Wednesday, striking out the side on 12 pitches in a perfect ninth inning.

Treinen mowed through the trio of Robinson Chirinos, Ryan Rua and Carlos Tocci in his one frame, slamming the door after Khris Davis had slugged a two-out, two-run, go-ahead home run in the top half of the ninth. The right-hander has quickly rebounded from a blown save Saturday against the Giants, posting back-to-back saves over the last two nights against the Rangers.

McHugh (5-1) was tagged with his first loss and first blown save Wednesday when he allowed one run on three hits while striking out four in a 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

McHugh came on in the middle of the seventh inning with men on base and allowed an inherited runner to score, the first that's scored off him this season. It's hard to be upset at McHugh, who has been sensational in first full season as a reliever. The right-hander's sporting a 1.09 ERA with 64 strikeouts to 10 walks over 49.2 innings.

Giles has no timetable for his return to the majors, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. In five appearances at Triple-A Fresno, he's allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out seven over 4.1 innings.

The Astros maintain that Giles' demotion to the minors was a baseball decision, although it appeared the former closer had uttered an expletive directed toward manager A.J. Hinch the day before he was sent down. The club wants Giles to work on his slider and fastball command. "He's had some good outings, he's had some not so good outings," Hinch said, "but he's getting the regular work that he needs in order to get his posture back, get his slider headed to the right direction, get his fastball in the right area of the zone." For now and likely through the end of the season, Hector Rondon will be the Astros' primary closer.