MLB Player News

Sears allowed a run on five hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Tuesday.

Sears' lone mistake was a solo home run by Alex Bregman in the second inning. While it wasn't the most efficient outing -- Sears threw 65 of 100 pitches for strikes -- it was a decent performance for a pitcher that's had few middle-of-the-road efforts so far. This was the fifth time he's allowed one or fewer runs, but he's given up four or more runs in each of his other four outings. Sears is at a 3.96 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB through 50 innings, and he'll carry a 3-2 record into his next start, tentatively projected to be in Kansas City.

Blanco was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Athletics ahead of the fourth inning after umpires examined his glove for a foreign substance, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The umpires confiscated Blanco's glove for further examination from Major League Baseball, and the 30-year-old righty will be hit with an automatic 10-game suspension if it's determined that he used an illegal substance while on the mound. Blanco has emerged as a crucial part of Houston's rotation this season, carrying a 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP alongside a 41:20 K:BB across 44.1 innings through his first seven starts. He had fired three scoreless innings while striking out four batters and walking one before getting tossed from Tuesday's contest.

The Rangers recalled Leiter from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of his start against the Guardians on Tuesday.

The right-hander is back with Texas for his third start in the big leagues. Leiter's first two outings haven't gone particularly well, as he's given up 13 runs (11 earned) on 15 hits with a 6:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings. It may only be a spot start for the 24-year-old since Nathan Eovaldi (groin) may soon be back from the injured list.

Bassitt and the Blue Jays won't play against the Orioles on Tuesday since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up via a traditional doubleheader July 29. The Blue Jays haven't officially announced their updated pitching plans, but Bassitt seems likely to start Wednesday's series finale, with the rest of the rotation being pushed back.

Bradish and the Orioles won't play against the Blue Jays on Tuesday since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The contest will be made up via a traditional doubleheader July 29. Bradish will simply have his start pushed back a day and will pitch in Wednesday's series finale versus Toronto, per Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com.

The Athletics recalled Basso from Double-A Midland on Tuesday.

Despite being lit up for nine earned runs over 2.1 innings in his debut for Triple-A Las Vegas before being moved back to Midland, Basso will make the jump to the majors. He's been far more effective over his six starts for Midland this season, logging a 2.84 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 25.1 innings. Basso will join the 26-man active roster as a replacement for reliever Easton Lucas, but if he's not needed out of the bullpen over the next couple of days, Basso could be called upon to make a spot start this weekend in Kansas City. Alex Wood remains on the active roster but is tending to a shoulder issue that could force him to the injured list, in which case Basso, Mitch Spence or Kyle Muller would likely be the top candidates to fill his spot in the rotation.

Maeda (illness) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Maeda has been fighting a viral illness and was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday. After being too sick to throw for a short period of time, Maeda's quick return to mound work should mean he won't require a lengthy absence. However, he'll still require a rehab assignment before rejoining the Tigers.

Dunning (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Dunning is progressing well after straining his rotator cuff, having tossed his first bullpen session since being placed on the 15-day injured list on May 8. His IL designation was retroactive to May 5, meaning he could be eligible for reinstatement as soon as Monday. However, he'll have to make it through the rest of his rehab without setbacks for an immediate return to be a possibility.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Tuesday that Soroka will move to the team's bullpen, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

In nine starts this season, Soroka has managed an ugly 6.39 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 24:24 K:BB across 43.2 innings. He will remain stretched out as a long reliever, and Grifol didn't rule out Soroka eventually rejoining the rotation at some point later this season. Brad Keller will take over Soroka's spot in the rotation.

Estes is slated to start Thursday's game against the Astros in Houston, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

He'll be awarded his second straight turn through the rotation after striking out five and allowing just one run over five innings last weekend in Seattle following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Estes could be in line for an extended run in the big-league rotation with Paul Blackburn (foot) recently going on the injured list and with Alex Wood (shoulder) also at risk of being deactivated.