MLB Player News

Hill (knee) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hill keeps hitting checkpoints, first throwing off flat ground followed by a bullpen session. It's unknown if the lefty will need a rehab assignment, but one is likely given that Hill hasn't thrown in a game environment in two weeks.

Gray (4-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 3.2 innings.

Gray gave up a pair of first-inning runs and then served up a grand slam to Luis Robert in the fourth. All told, he surrendered season-worst marks of nine hits and six runs. The veteran hurler had a 2.17 ERA following a seven-inning quality start June 27, but he's faded badly in July. Over three starts this month, Gray has posted a 9.45 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 13.1 frames. His season ERA has consequently shot up to 3.71.

Cueto (4-4) earned the win over Minnesota on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

The outing got off to a rocky start for Cueto, as he left the bases loaded in the first inning and surrendered a run on three hits in the second. The veteran settled down from there, allowing just three more baserunners and ending the appearance with a flourish by striking out the side in the sixth frame. Cueto has now notched a quality start in nine of his 12 outings this season and in each of his last four. He's enjoying a resurgent campaign with a 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB over 74 innings.

Crawford pitched six-plus innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out six batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Crawford was splendid through six frames, holding the Rays scoreless and giving up just three hits. He was asked to come back out for the seventh, and things took a turn for the worse when the first three batters he faced got a hit against him. All three came around to score, cutting Crawford off from a chance for a victory. Despite the disappointing finish, it was another impressive outing by the rookie, who completed six innings for the first time as a major-leaguer and notched his first career quality start. Crawford has given up just four runs and struck out 20 batters over 16.1 frames across his past three appearances. However, Nathan Eovaldi (back/hip) is slated to return from the injured list this weekend, and Rich Hill (knee) and Michael Wacha (shoulder) could be back soon after the All-Star break, so Crawford may not be keeping his spot in the rotation.

Rasmussen did not factor in the decision against Boston on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Rasmussen got through three scoreless frames before Rafael Devers tagged him for a solo home run in the fourth. The right-hander gave up two more runs in the sixth but was able to complete the inning to notch his third quality start of the campaign. He departed in line for the loss, but a late Rays rally took him off the hook. Rasmussen notched a modest five strikeouts in the outing, but he racked up a more impressive 18 swinging strikes. He has made six starts since his last win, but he's allowed three or fewer runs in four of those appearances.

Lorenzen (shoulder) played catch Tuesday as the beginning of a throwing program, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Lorenzen went on the 15-day IL on July 7 due to a right shoulder strain. A subsequent MRI revealed no structural damage, and he's now been able to resume throwing. Lorenzen doesn't have a concrete timeline for a return, but he could be back soon after the All-Star break.

Cortes allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out four across seven innings Thursday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.

Cortes didn't have an impressive strikeout total, but he effectively limited hard contact and did not allow an extra-base hit. Entering Thursday's start, Cortes had allowed four earned runs in three of his last six starts and maintained a 5.34 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in that span, so the bounceback effort was a welcome sight. Despite his recent struggles, Cortes still features a 2.63 ERA and 99:22 K:BB across 95.2 frames on the season.

Odorizzi will no longer start Friday's game against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's still possible that Odorizzi will draw a start during the weekend series, as the Astros have not named starters for Saturday or Sunday. Jose Urquidy will start Friday in Odorizzi's place.

Detmers allowed two runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batter while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Thursday.

Detmers wasn't as dominant as he was versus the Orioles last Friday, but he still turned in his second straight quality start and his third such effort of the season. The 23-year-old southpaw limited the damage Thursday to the first inning, allowing four baserunners and both runs in the opening frame before settling in. He now has a 4.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 57:25 K:BB across 70 innings in 14 starts this season. Detmers won't pitch again until after the All-Star break, but his recent performance makes it seem likely he'll be in the rotation when play resumes, especially if the Angels go back to rolling six starters.

Urquidy will start Friday against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy was originally slated to start Sunday's game, but instead, he'll bump Jake Odorizzi from Friday's game. Urquidy has pitched very well of late, maintaining a 2.45 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and a 22:8 K:BB across his last 33 innings and five starts.