MLB Player News

Valdez allowed three hits and struck out two over three innings in Friday's 9-2 loss to Kansas City.

Valdez was utilized in a long-relief capacity after starter Keegan Akin struggled through three innings. This was Valdez's first scoreless outing since June 9, although he missed time with a lower-back strain during that span. It's unclear what kind of role the right-hander will have going forward -- he's logged eight saves this season but none since May 10. He's posted a 6.25 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 31.2 innings overall.

Akin (0-5) took the loss against Kansas City on Friday, completing three innings and allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two.

The Royals put at least one run on the board in each of Akin's three frames, and they crossed the plate four times in a big second inning. The southpaw needed 74 pitches to retire nine batters, and he has now given up at least four earned runs in each of his past seven outings. Given his 8.19 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and paltry 21.5 strikeout percentage, he doesn't carry much fantasy appeal. Akin is tentatively slated to next face Washington at home next Friday.

Clase (3-5) suffered the loss and blown save in Friday's 5-4 loss to Oakland, allowing two hits and two runs in one third of an inning.

Clase entered in the ninth protecting a one-run lead and surrendered a leadoff single to Elvis Andrus followed by a Jed Lowrie walk-off home run two batters later for his third straight blown save and third loss in four appearances. The 23-year-old righty has now allowed five runs in his last 3.1 innings, though his ERA still sits at 2.19 on the season.

Morgan threw five innings in a 5-4 loss to the Athletics on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts. He didn't factor into the decision.

Morgan's problem inning was a two-run third, when he allowed three hits, and the rookie also surrendered a single run in the third on a Mitch Moreland homer. The start was only his third allowing three runs or less in six turns, and the five innings matched a career high, though both benchmarks are a bit uninspiring. He currently lines up to pitch in Houston on Wednesday.

Manaea took the no-decision in Friday's 5-4 win over Cleveland, allowing three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Manaea held Cleveland scoreless through four innings but allowed a Roberto Perez solo home run in the fifth and permitted three baserunners and one run in the sixth before departing. The lefty broke out of his four-start losing streak and has now allowed three runs or less in 10 of his last 11 starts, pitching to a 3.28 ERA on the season.

Moore gave up two runs on six hits and zero walks while striking out nine through 4.1 innings in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He did not factor in the decision.

Moore's prior season high in strikeouts was five, set April 11 in Atlanta, so this seems like quite an outlier for the journeyman lefty. He has failed to log more than 4.1 innings in any of his last three appearances and tentatively lines up to face the Yankees on the road Wednesday.

Hicks (elbow) hasn't yet resumed mound work and may not return to the Cardinals in 2021, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Manager Mike Shildt said that Hicks is "significantly" behind Jack Flaherty (oblique) in his recovery process, and Flaherty threw his first bullpen session Friday. Shildt said that it's "hard to say" whether the right-hander will pitch again for the Cardinals this season. Hicks has been sidelined since the beginning of May due to right elbow inflammation.

Lamet (forearm) will throw bullpen sessions and live batting practice in the near future before the Padres determine his next steps, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet has been making progress since landing on the injured list with right forearm tightness June 27, but the club still wants to see how he reacts to throwing off a mound before deciding his next steps. The right-hander still figures to have a chance to rejoin the rotation by the end of July, and his progress in coming days will go a long way in determining his status going forward.

Long (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Long has been on the injured list since July 4 due to a mild lower-back strain, but he was able to resume mound work following the All-Star break. It's not yet clear when the southpaw could return or whether he could require a rehab assignment at some point.

Medina was placed on the 7-day injured list July 2 by Triple-A Lehigh Valley for an unspecified issue, Tom Housenick of The Allentown Morning Call reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 5.73 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 10 starts before he was shut down with the injury. Even if he had avoided the setback, Medina wasn't in position to receive a call-up to the big leagues at any point in the near future.