MLB Player News

Astros starter Collin McHugh snapped a two-game losing streak and won for the first time in the month of July, Friday against Texas. 

McHugh improved to 10-5 with his first win since June 28. 

Despite allowing a season-high 11 hits, McHugh matched a season low, allowing just one run for the fourth start of the year. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four over six innings. 

Athletics reliever Pat Venditte threw a bullpen session on Friday. Venditte threw 20 pitches right-handed. 

Venditte is on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. The switch-pitching Venditte will test both arms by throwing both right-handed and southpaw in Saturday's session, per the SF Chronicle. 

Red Sox rookie pitcher Brian Johnson will get his first start either on Monday or Tuesday, according to WEEI.com.

Johnson, Boston's No. 6 prospect by MLB.com, had a 8-6 record with an impressive 2.73 ERA in 16 starts for Triple_A Pawtucket this season. He was promoted to the Red Sox on July 11.

Rays manager Kevin Cash has aligned the rest of his rotation coming out of the All-Star break. With the series against the Blue Jays already set, Matt Moore will open the series on Monday against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Nathan Karns will start on Tuesday with Jake Odorizzi coming back on regular rest to start Wednesday. 

Angels manager Mike Scioscia has partially laid out his rotation plans for the start of the second half. Lefty C.J. Wilson will get the first start out of the All-Star break, as he'll open up the weekend series against the Red Sox on Friday.

Garrett Richards and 2015 All-Star Hector Santiago will go on Saturday and Sunday respectively. 

Meanwhile, the futures for Andrew Heaney, Matt Shoemaker and Jered Weaver are rather unclear. Scioscia said Heaney will get another start. Weaver is on the disabled list with a hip injury, but he is expected to throw a simulated game on Thursday, and could be back early next week. This could leave Shoemaker as the odd man out, according to the Orange County Register. 

Five American League pitchers didn't appear in the All Star Game on Tuesday. 

The pitchers who didn't appear were: Brad Boxberger, Rays; Kelvin Herrera, Royals; Darren O’Day , Orioles; Chris Sale, White Sox; Hector Santiago, Angels.

The American League got every position player into the All Star Game. 

Yankees reliever Dellin Betances pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Tuesday's All Star Game. 

Betances walked a batter and struck out a batter. 

Yankees pitchers have a 1.10 ERA in 16 1/3 All Star innings since the 2000 game. Betances was the first Yankees pitcher to allow an All Star walk since David Cone in 1999. 

The Mariners sent pitcher Danny Farquhar down to Triple-A after Sunday's loss to the Angels, reports The News Tribune.

Farquhar has a 6.23 ERA over 30 1/3 innings of work this season.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh will open the second half of the season Friday against the Rangers, reports MLB.com.

Right-hander Scott Feldman will be activated from the disabled list to start Saturday's contest with pitcher Dallas Keuchel a likely candidate to start Sunday.

Rays closer Brad Boxberger pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn a save for the third day in a row. 

Boxberger protected a one-run lead to notch his 23rd save of the year. Boxberger saved all three wins over Houston with perfect final innings.