MLB Player News

Whitlock allowed four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five in four innings versus the Angels on Tuesday. He didn't factor in the decision.

Whitlock had some trouble with Mike Trout in particular, as the Angels' star outfielder hit a two-run home run and a double before exiting the game with groin tightness. Whitlock didn't do that well to settle in, and he was done after 71 pitches (47 strikes) in a shaky outing. The right-hander now has a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 49:11 K:BB across 48.2 innings in 13 appearances (nine starts). He still sits with a 2-1 record heading into his next start.

Flexen (2-7) got the loss Tuesday after he pitched 6.2 innings, surrendering two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two versus the Astros.

Flexen tossed three scoreless innings to open the contest before the Astros got to him for two runs in the bottom of the fourth, accounting for all the damage against him in the outing. He has held his own against the Astros this season, surrendering a total of seven runs over 24.2 frames in four starts against the club this year, good for a 2.55 ERA in those outings. Flexen has now allowed six runs over 18.2 frames in his last three starts after giving up five runs over four innings against the Red Sox on May 21, lowering his ERA from 4.98 to 4.35 over 11 outings this season. He tentatively lines up to pitch again Monday versus the Twins.

Verlander (7-2) earned the win after he tossed seven innings, surrendering one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 12 in Tuesday's victory over the Mariners.

After allowing six runs over six frames in his last start versus the Mariners on May 27, Verlander was dominant Tuesday, with the only blemish on his line coming on an Abraham Toro RBI groundout in the top of the fourth. The 39-year-old struck out a season-high 12 batters in the outing while recording his eighth quality start of the campaign. He has now allowed three runs while recording 18 strikeouts over 14 innings in his last two starts following the blowup versus the Mariners. Verlander owns a superb 2.13 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 73 punchouts over 71.2 innings in 11 starts in 2022.

Manoah (7-1) earned the win Tuesday after he pitched six scoreless innings, allowing six hits and three walks while striking out four against the Royals.

Manoah held the Royals without an extra-base hit over six frames Tuesday, notching his fifth consecutive quality start. Over that stretch he has posted a 1.87 ERA and 1.04 ERA with 26 punchouts over 33.2 frames. Manoah's season numbers now sit at a 7-1 record with a masterful 1.81 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 69.2 innings over 11 starts.

Keller (1-7) got the loss Tuesday after he pitched six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four against the Red Sox.

Keller gave up two runs on a Matt Chapman double in the top of the second and then a third run in the seventh inning after he allowed two batters to reach base to open the frame. He logged his first quality start since May 16 and sixth overall in 11 outings. Keller now owns a 4.19 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 37 strikeouts over 66.2 innings this season. He tentatively lines up to toe the rubber again Sunday versus the Orioles.

Skubal (5-2) picked up the win Tuesday in Pittsburgh, striking out nine in seven innings while allowing three runs on six hits and a hit batsman.

Skubal gave up a run in the second and a two-run homer in the fourth. He was efficient Tuesday, getting through seven innings on 92 pitches. The lefty has gone seven innings in each of his last three starts. Since the start of May, the 25-year-old has been superb and has a 1.60 ERA and 50:7 K:BB across 45 innings in seven starts. His next start will likely come early next week against the White Sox.

Sale (ribs) had his bullpen session pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday due to a stomach bug, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

It's only a temporary setback, so the left-hander is expected to quickly be back on the mound. Sale was previously on track to throw a live batting practice session Friday, assuming the bullpen goes well, but the live BP will now be pushed into later in the weekend.

Springs struck out five in six shutout innings while allowing six hits and two walks in a 4-2 win Tuesday against St. Louis. He did not factor into the decision.

Springs allowed baserunners in each inning but managed to pitch around trouble and hold the Cardinals scoreless. The lefty threw a season-high 92 pitches. He has excelled since moving into a starting role in May, compiling a 2.01 ERA and 31:7 K:BB in 31.1 innings. As he continues to build endurance and pitch later into games, he should have more chances to pick up victories.

Bradish allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out five in 4.2 innings of a 9-3 win Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Bradish gave up a solo homer to Christopher Morel to lead off the game and another to Willson Contreras to begin the fifth. He had trouble locating his pitches all evening, throwing just 60 of 105 pitches for strikes and issuing five free passes. The rookie has given up at least one home run in each of his eight starts. After pitching well in two of his first three outings, he's allowed 19 runs in 20.2 innings with 44 batters reaching safely in his last five starts.

Watkins (forearm) threw another bullpen session Tuesday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list within the coming days, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Watkins was first eligible to come off the IL on Tuesday and had already thrown a few bullpen sessions beforehand, but the Orioles wanted to reassess how he felt following one more throwing workout. Prior to landing on the shelf with the bruised right forearm, Watkins had made eight starts for Baltimore and posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 14:15 K:BB in 30 innings. He likely won't have a spot in the rotation waiting for him once activated, as manager Brandon Hyde already appointed Dean Kremer as the team's fifth starter this week.