MLB Player News

Bieber (4-3) allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over 6.2 innings Friday, striking out two and earning a win over St. Louis.

It certainly wasn't Bieber's strongest outing, but he kept the Cardinals off the board through five innings before stumbling a bit near the end of his start. He's now allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of his first 11 starts this season, resulting in a 3.04 ERA across 71 innings. However, he's posted a pedestrian 49:19 K:BB after recording a season-low two punchouts Friday. Bieber's next start is projected to come next week in Minnesota.

Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the Yankees on Friday.

Vasquez gave up two runs over 4.2 innings while striking out six and issuing three walks in his MLB debut in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Padres. With Domingo German due to return from his 10-game suspension during the upcoming week, the Yankees didn't need Vasquez to stick around to make any additional starts. The 24-year-old could still be the next man up to join the big club the next time the Yankees need an additional arm in the rotation.

Vasquez (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Friday. He struck out six and took a loss against the Padres.

The 24-year-old worked through four shutout frames before coughing up a two-run homer to Juan Soto in the fifth. Vasquez primarily relied on a cutter/sinker combination while touching 96 mph on his fastball. He'll likely head back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after this spot start, where he's registered a 4.85 ERA across 42.2 frames.

Rodriguez (2-2) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on six hits and three walks over 3.1 frames Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against Texas.

Rodriguez coughed up three home runs Friday, including a Corey Seager grand slam in the fourth inning that bounced him from the contest. Over his last five starts, Rodriguez has allowed a whopping 27 runs and 11 home runs, raising his season ERA from 4.07 to 7.35 through 45.1 innings. It's hard to find a silver lining in Friday's start, but the rookie's 13 swinging strikes marked the first time he recorded double-digit whiffs since April 29. Rodriguez will look to snap out of the funk in his next start, which lines up to be a home matchup against the Guardians.

Gray (5-1) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over Baltimore.

After allowing a solo homer to Adley Rutschman in the first inning, Gray was nearly untouchable. He cruised through seven frames en route to a dominant 12-2 Rangers victory. Gray's been lights out over his last four starts, yielding just three runs with a 27:5 K:BB in 27 frames while earning a win in each outing. The veteran righty lowered his season ERA to 2.81 and has won five consecutive decisions since losing his season debut. Gray is currently projected for a matchup in Detroit next week.

Whitlock will start Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock will make a return to the rotation after missing over a month with ulnar neuritis in his right forearm. The right-hander has struggled to a 6.19 ERA over his three starts in 2023, but his previous success suggests that he can be an effective fantasy option in the coming months. There is some risk that comes with starting him in his first outing back, but there's plenty of reward potential that comes with it.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Friday that Urquidy (shoulder) has begun throwing on flat ground, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Baker noted that Urquidy will still have to build his arm back up, but he also mentioned that the right-hander has dealt with shoulder inflammation in the past. After getting shut down in late April, Urquidy could need a lengthy rehab assignment, but it's possible the right-hander will be able to return to the Houston rotation right around the All-Star break.

Maeda (triceps) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A St. Paul, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Maeda will probably be asked to make a handful of rehab starts given the amount of time he's missed. The 35-year-old right-hander posted a 9.00 ERA across his first four starts (16 innings) this season before going on the injured list in late April due to a right triceps strain.

Keller (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It will be Keller's first mound workout since he went on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement syndrome. There is currently no timeline for his return to the Royals' rotation, but he does seem to be headed in a positive direction following a brief shutdown period.

Lynch (shoulder) appears to be on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game versus the Nationals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City hasn't yet announced a starter for Sunday, but Lynch looks like an excellent candidate to fill the opneing after delivering six scoreless innings in his latest rehab outing this past Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old southpaw was poised to be a part of the Opening Day rotation before he suffered a left shoulder strain in late March. Lynch compiled a 5.32 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 177:83 K:BB across his first 199.2 major-league innings between 2021 and 2022.