MLB Player News

Cole (6-2) was charged with the loss after he pitched seven innings Saturday, surrendering one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight versus the Astros.

Cole picked up a tough-luck loss after he only gave up a single run on a J.J. Matijevic solo homer in the top of the seventh inning. Unfortunately for him, the Astros tossed a combined no-hitter. Cole has now produced three straight masterful starts, surrendering just two runs over 20.1 frames while striking out 27 batters. He now owns a 2.99 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 111 punchouts over 87.1 innings in 15 starts this season.

Javier (5-3) earned the win after he pitched seven no-hit innings, giving up one walk while striking out 13 in Saturday's victory over the Yankees.

Javier was masterful in this one, registering a season-high 13 punchouts while limiting the Yankees to just a walk in what ended up being a combined no-hitter for the Astros. The 25-year-old has now rattled off three straight strong starts following a five run blow up against the Mariners on June 6, posting a 1.50 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 18 innings during that stretch. He now owns a 2.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 81 punchouts over 62.2 frames in 14 appearances (10 starts) this season. Javier tentatively lines up to pitch at home versus the Angels next week.

Irvin (2-5) took the loss in a defeat at the hands of the Royals on Friday, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Irvin once again pitched well enough to give his team a chance at victory, but Oakland's perpetually moribund offense put together yet another lackluster performance. The veteran left-hander was essentially done in by Edward Olivares, who tagged him for a pair of solo home runs. Irvin's 3.29 ERA, when contrasted with his 2-5 record, is a testament to how much of a tough-luck season it's been for him thus far, and he'll hope for a turnaround in his fortunes when he takes the mound again in an unenviable matchup against the Yankees next week.

Greinke (1-4) allowed a run on three hits and struck out four in six innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.

Greinke missed a month with a right flexor strain in his elbow, but he was dominant and efficient during his two rehab assignments. That continued Friday in his return to the majors, where he threw 57 of 84 pitches for strikes to pick up his first win of the season. He now has a 4.68 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB across 57.2 innings in 11 starts. Greinke should be able to assume a full workload in his next start, which is tentatively projected for next week at home versus the Rangers.

McCullers (forearm) threw approximately 20 pitches against live hitters Saturday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

McCullers faced live hitters for the first time Saturday, and he incorporated sinkers, cutters, changeups and a slider during the throwing session while his velocity reached 93 mph. He wasn't initially expected to throw a slider, and he's said that tossing his slider will be one of the biggest hurdles to clear in his recovery, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. The right-hander has been throwing off a mound for nearly a month and will continue to face live hitters in the near future.

Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Saturday's start against the White Sox.

Watkins missed a few weeks between late May and early June due to a forearm injury, but he posted a 5.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 7.2 innings over three starts at Norfolk after returning to action. Over his last three major-league starts, the right-hander gave up 12 runs in 7.2 innings.

Springs didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Pirates, allowing three runs on three solo home runs among seven hits over six innings. He struck out a season-high nine without walking a batter.

The Rays handed Springs a 3-0 lead in the first inning, but the southpaw's inability to keep the ball in the park ended up costing him a win despite his otherwise impressive performance. He's served up multiple homers in three of his last six starts, but he's otherwise been sharp with a 3.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 38:6 K:BB through 32.2 innings over that stretch.

Houck allowed one run on three hits while striking out two over the ninth inning of Friday's 6-3 win over the Guardians.

With the Red Sox leading 5-2 to start the ninth inning, Houck was warming up for a potential save but didn't get the opportunity after Boston plated a run in the top half of the frame. Houck is set to miss the three-game series in Toronto that begins Monday, so the Red Sox may get him work this weekend regardless of the situation to keep him fresh.

Seabold was removed from Friday's start for Triple-A Worcester after one inning for non-injury or performance reasons, suggesting he could be an option to start in Toronto next week, Katie Morrison of The Springfield Republican reports.

Seabold threw 21 pitches, giving up a run on two hits while striking out two, which preserves him to appear at some point during the series against the Blue Jays that begins Monday. The Red Sox could use Michael Wacha on normal rest Monday or give him an extra day of rest and have Seabold open the series in Toronto. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA over 11 starts for Worcester. Seabold throws a fastball, slider, changeup and occasional curveball.

Severino (4-2) was charged with the loss Friday against the Astros after giving up three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks across six innings.

The right-hander kept Houston in check through five innings, but he returned for the sixth and served up a three-run homer to Kyle Tucker. It was still a solid start for Severino, though he continues to be hurt by the long ball, as he's surrendered 11 through 13 starts. He has a 3.38 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 87:21 K:BB across 72 frames this season and tentatively lines up to pitch versus the A's on Wednesday.