MLB Player News

Sears (2-2) earned the win Friday against the Marlins, allowing four hits and one walk over 6.1 shutout innings. He struck out six.

Sears took care of business Friday night against a weakened Marlins squad, scattering two singles, a double and a triple in his 95-pitch performance. The 28-year-old lefty also produced his third straight start with six or more strikeouts, lowering his season ERA to 3.89. Sears is scheduled to face the Rangers at home in his next start.

Manager Scott Servais said Friday that Kirby has been dealing with a right knee issue, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Servais added that Kirby's knee isn't considered a major problem, but it was the reason why he was pulled from his start Friday after throwing just 88 pitches through six innings. The Mariners will keep an eye on the right-hander's condition, but at the moment it appears Kirby should still be able to make his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Thursday against Minnesota.

Blanco allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out six during a win over Seattle.

All the damage against Blanco came via the long ball, with Jorge Polanco going deep in the third inning followed by Dylan Moore in the fifth. Entering Friday's start, Blanco had given up just two homers through 32.2 frames. It was the first time this season he's allowed more than two runs in an outing but he still produced his fifth quality start. Blanco owns a terrific 2.09 ERA with a 36:16 K:BB. His next start is lined up to come on the road against the Yankees.

Kirby allowed a run on four hits over six innings during a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during a loss to Houston.

Kirby was in line for the win before Seattle's bullpen coughed up the lead. The lone run against him came on a Jeremy Pena RBI groundout in the sixth inning. Kirby was efficient Friday, throwing 60 of 88 pitches for strikes. He's allowed just one run while producing a stellar 22:2 K:BB over his last 18 frames. Of his seven starts this year, Kirby allowed two or fewer runs in five of them. However, he coughed up 13 combined runs in the other two. Kirby is currently projected to start in Minnesota next week.

Irvin (3-1) earned the win Friday over the Reds, allowing just two hits while striking out four over 6.1 scoreless innings.

Irvin continued a dominant run in which he's won three consecutive starts while extending his scoreless streak to 20.2 innings. The 30-year-old left-hander's ERA is down to 2.86 with a 1.07 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB across six starts (34.2 innings) this season. Irvin will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against Arizona.

Houck (3-3) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over six-plus innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against Minnesota.

Houck gave up just one run through six frames before stumbling in the seventh. He allowed three straight runners to reach base without recording an out and was eventually charged with all three runs. He matched his season high with four runs allowed; in his other five starts this year, Houck has given up just three total runs through 33.2 innings. On top of that, he tied his season low by generating only six swinging strikes. Houck will carry a 2.18 ERA into his next outing, which is lined up to come at home against the Nationals next week.

Civale escaped with a no-decision Friday in Tampa Bay's 10-8 win over the Mets, coughing up seven runs on six hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

New York tagged him for three runs in the second inning and four more in the fifth, but Civale still left the mound with the Rays ahead 9-7. The right-hander tossed 52 of 77 pitches for strikes as he allowed five or more runs for the third straight outing. The rough patch has sent his ratios soaring, and Civale will carry a 6.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 39:10 K:BB through 36.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the White Sox.

Paddack (3-1) yielded two hits and a walk over six shutout frames Friday, striking out six and earning a win over the Red Sox.

After working out of a two-on, no-out jam in the first inning, Paddack locked in and rolled through the Red Sox. He's now 3-1 with a three-game winning streak; during that span, he's posted a 2.00 ERA and an 18:2 K:BB over 18 frames. Paddack forced 12 whiffs, including six with a four-seam that averaged 94.3 mph. The 28-year-old righty has dropped his ERA to 4.78 through six starts. He's currently in line face the Mariners at home next week.

Kikuchi came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven

He carved up the Washington lineup en route to his fourth quality start of the season, generating 34 called or swinging strikes among his 100 pitches, and Kikuchi left the mound with Toronto ahead 3-1. Unfortunately, Erik Swanson immediately coughed up the lead in the seventh inning, denying Kikuchi his third win. The southpaw will take a 2.72 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB through 39.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Twins.

Whitlock (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Saturday will mark the first time Whitlock has thrown off a mound since landing on the injured list April 17 with a strained left oblique. Assuming all goes well, he will likely throw another few sessions before moving onto throwing against live hitters, at which point the Red Sox may decide to send the right-hander out on a rehab assignment.