MLB Player News

Phillips took a no-decision Monday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out four.

It was Phillips' finest showing as a starter this year, as he turned in his first quality start Monday. The 28-year-old right-hander also threw a season-high 89 pitches, suggesting he's just about fully stretched out and ready to handle a traditional starter's workload going forward. Phillips, who has a 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 49:30 K:BB over 58.1 innings, tentatively lines up to take at least one more turn through Miami's rotation in St. Louis over the weekend.

Rojas will start Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Joe Ryan had been on track to start Tuesday, but the Twins scratched him a day in advance after he fell ill. In Ryan's stead, the Twins will turn to Rojas, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Sunday after making just one rehab appearance, during which he covered 1.1 innings and tossed 33 pitches for Triple-A St. Paul. Barring a pitcher being called up from the minors ahead of Tuesday's game, the Twins won't have an obvious candidate to work in bulk relief behind Rojas. The 23-year-old lefty should be able to provide more length than a typical opener, but he's not expected to work deep enough into his start to qualify for a win.

Varland earned the save Monday against the Astros, striking out one and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Varland was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and successfully closed the door, working around a leadoff walk to Yainer Diaz. The right-hander quickly regrouped after the free pass, inducing a double-play groundball and recording a strikeout to secure his 16th save. Varland has now recorded a save in 11 of his last 15 appearances and owns a sparkling 0.84 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB across 43 innings on the season.

Lange secured the save Monday against the Rays, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.

Since taking over as Kansas City's primary closer, Lange been very effective on the mound. The 30-year-old right-hander has successfully converted each of his last six save opportunities, giving up just two earned runs across 10 innings during the month of June so far. With Lucas Erceg being unreliable and Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still on the shelf, Lange is solidifying his hold as the club's favorite for saves.

Vest logged 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts to record the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Yankees.

Vest retired the last four New York hitters of the game on only 12 pitches to secure his second save of the season. Regular closer Kenley Jansen didn't pitch Sunday but did see action on Friday and Saturday, so presumably the team wanted to give the veteran some extra rest after he recently came off the injured list. That opened the door for Vest, though he should slot in as Detroit's top setup option on days when Jansen pitches. Vest has been solid in June with a 2.00 ERA and seven strikeouts across 8.2 innings in eight appearances.

Crochet (shoulder/lat) has not yet been cleared to resume a throwing program following a scheduled re-evaluation Monday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that Crochet's left shoulder and lat are "improving," but not enough that he's ready to throw. Crochet landed on the injured list in late April with left shoulder inflammation and then encountered a setback in early June when he sustained a low-grade left lat strain. The southpaw has been throwing a plyometric ball, but a timetable for his return won't become clearer until he ramps up a throwing program.

Klein will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Monday's game in Minnesota, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

He'll draw his second start of the season, but Klein is likely to be limited to an inning or two before left-hander Eric Lauer steps in to work in bulk relief. The 26-year-old righty has emerged as a key high-leverage arm out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this season, notching two wins, one save and 10 holds while pitching to a 2.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB in 30.1 innings.

Bautista (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

It will be the first time Bautista has throwing off the mound since he underwent right shoulder surgery last August to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff. The Orioles have not ruled out the possibility of Bautista rejoining the bullpen before the end of the season.

Pagan (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

The Reds haven't disclosed which minor-league affiliate Pagan will join, but Goldsmith relays that the reliever's rehab assignment is expected to be brief. Pagan has been sidelined since early May with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Tony Santillan has pitched well lately as the Reds' closer, but Pagan should eventually reclaim his old gig once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Astros recalled VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

VanWey has retired nine of 10 batters faced in the big leagues this season, striking out five over three scoreless innings. He'll handle a low-leverage role out of the bullpen while he's up with Houston.