MLB Player News

Montgomery allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings against Boston on Saturday. He did not factor in the decision.

Montgomery gave up a run in the second inning but didn't allow Boston to get back on the scoreboard until Rob Refsnyder tagged him for a solo homer in the sixth. Montgomery was pulled one out shy of a quality start, and he lost his hold on a win when the Red Sox tied the game in the eighth frame. The southpaw has been plagued by poor run support in July -- in two starts, he's yielded only three runs over 10.2 frames but has an 0-1 record to show for it. Still, it's been a nice bounce-back after Montgomery surrendered nine runs over 12.2 frames during his final pair of starts in June.

Crawford pitched five innings against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.

Crawford did a good job of taming the potent Yankees offense, holding New York scoreless until Aaron Hicks launched a solo shot against him in the fifth inning. That was the only extra-base hit the right-hander allowed in the contest, and he also racked up six strikeouts. Crawford is making a case for sticking with the big club for the long haul with his past two appearances. In those outings, he's compiled 10.1 innings during which he's given up only one run while posting a 14:3 K:BB.

Manoah (9-4) took the loss Saturday against the Mariners. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings.

Manoah's four walks matched a season high -- he hadn't issued that many free passes since April 11. He also gave up a homer for the fourth straight start, and it was a two-run blast to Carlos Santana, which saddled Manoah with his second straight loss. The right-hander showed improvement from his recent form, but he's still allowed 16 runs (14 earned) over his last 32 innings. For the season, he has a 2.34 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 97:25 K:BB through 107.2 innings in 17 starts. He's projected for a favorable home start against the Royals next week, giving him a chance to end the first half strong.

Ray allowed one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Saturday.

The lone run against Ray came in the form of a George Springer solo home run in the sixth inning. The southpaw was let off the hook when Carlos Santana put the Mariners ahead with a two-run blast in the seventh. Over his last six games, Ray has allowed four runs, 18 hits, 11 walks and three hit batters while striking out 46 in 39.2 innings. The southpaw's return to ace form has seen him trim his ERA from 4.97 to 3.51 over that stretch, and he's added a 1.11 WHIP and 123:38 K:BB in 110.1 innings overall in 18 starts. Ray is projected for a road start at Texas next week.

McKenzie (6-6) earned the win during Saturday's 13-1 victory over Kansas City, allowing three hits and five walks with four strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

This one got out of hand early, and McKenzie was able to coast to an easy win despite a season-high five walks thanks in part to four double plays. The 24-year-old has rebounded superbly from two poor starts to conclude June with 13 scoreless innings over his last two turns. He has a 3.47 ERA, though McKenzie's 1.01 WHIP ranks 11th among all qualified starters. He tentatively lines up to take the mound again midweek against Detroit.

Cueto (3-4) allowed five hits and no walks while striking out five across eight innings to earn the win Saturday against the Tigers.

Cueto limited the Tigers to only one-extra base hit on the strength of inducing 12 groundball outs. It was his longest outing of the season, and he has now turned in six quality starts across his last eight starts. Cueto has been an effective member of the White Sox's rotation, maintaining a 2.91 ERA and a 53:18 K:BB across 68 frames on the season.

Rasmussen tossed four scoreless innings against Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.

Rasmussen was effective in his second start following a recent stint on the IL due to a hamstring injury, but Cincinnati fouled off 24 pitches against him to help drive his pitch count up to 84 over four frames. Consequently, he was unable to go five innings for the second straight start since he returned. Nonetheless, it was a promising outing for the right-hander, and he has now given up just one earned run over 8.2 innings since his activation. Rasmussen hasn't thrown more than 88 pitches in any of his appearances this season, but that's usually enough for him to qualify for a win when he's pitching as effectively as he did Saturday.

Kirby was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Kirby has struggled a bit across his last three starts, allowing 10 earned runs, 22 hits and three walks in the span of 15.1 innings. However, this move likely has more to do with the team managing his workload as the All-Star break approaches, as he's already thrown 89 frames combined between Double-A Arkansas and Seattle in 2022. Kirby threw only 67.2 innings in 2021, and the Mariners aren't likely to take many chances with one of the best pitchers in the organization.

Gausman (ankle) will not start Sunday's game at Seattle, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Gausman threw a bullpen session Friday but isn't feeling well enough to return to the mound. The team is hoping he'll be able to start Tuesday against the Phillies, though that is not yet confirmed. Max Castillo is an option to start Sunday's game against the Mariners, but manager Charlie Montoyo has announced that it will be a bullpen game.

German (shoulder) threw four scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out four in a rehab outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

German threw 53 pitches in the longest outing of his rehab assignment. The Yankees haven't determined the next step in German's return, though it's possible that he makes his next appearance in the majors.