MLB Player News

McKenzie (3-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up five runs on three hits and three walks over seven innings as the Guardians fell 5-4 to the Orioles. He struck out four.

The right-hander didn't allow much traffic on the basepaths, but all three of the hits off him left the yard, including a three-run blast by Austin Hays in the third inning. McKenzie served up only one homer over his first six starts this year, but as the weather has warmed up he's had trouble keeping the ball in the yard, getting tagged for eight long balls in his last four outings. Despite those stumbles, the 24-year-old will still take a 3.10 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB through 58 innings into his next start.

Kremer (oblique) was activated from the injured list ahead of his start Sunday against the Guardians.

He hasn't pitched in the majors yet this season, but Kremer was dominant on his rehab assignment, logging nine scoreless innings while striking out 18 and walking two in three appearances. He threw four innings in his last start, so he should be stretched out enough to go five or more innings in this one.

Rasmussen did not factor in the decision against the White Sox on Saturday despite pitching seven scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two.

Rasmussen didn't have his swing-and-miss stuff working in the outing -- he notched only six swinging strikes and just two punchouts -- but he didn't allow any extra-base hits and kept Chicago off the scoreboard for seven frames. He departed with a 2-0 lead, but the Rays' bullpen coughed up three runs in the eighth inning to blow his chance at a win. Rasmussen had his worst start of the campaign in his previous outing, so this was a nice bounce-back effort for him. He'll carry a 3.02 ERA into his next start, which is slated to come at home against St. Louis on Thursday.

Cease allowed two unearned runs on one hit and seven walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings against Tampa Bay on Saturday. He did not factor in the decision.

Cease gave up only one hit in the contest, but he had a tough time finding the strike zone, issuing a season-high seven free passes. That resulted in the right-hander running up his pitch count to 101 in less than five innings, and he was pulled after an error led to the second unearned run against him in the fifth. Cease has had an up-and-down campaign, but he has been solid overall with a 3.39 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 81:30 K:BB across 58.1 innings. He's expected to make his next start at home against Texas next week.

Lorenzen (5-3) took the loss during Saturday's 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Phillies, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks with nine strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

Lorenzen surrendered five runs on eight baserunners during a 37-pitch first inning but rebounded to retire 12 straight before a walk prompted his removal in the sixth. Despite the early struggles, the 30-year-old recorded a season-high nine strikeouts with an impressive 15 swinging strikes. He carries a 3.69 ERA and 1.14 WHIP into a start against the Mets next weekend.

Garcia (3-4) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in seven innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Royals.

Garcia was out-dueled by Kris Bubic, and the Astros' offense mustered just five hits and five walks in the contest. Despite taking his third loss in his last four starts, Garcia has logged quality starts in consecutive outings for the second time this year. He's pitched to a strong 3.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 53:16 K:BB across 55.2 innings in 10 appearances. The 25-year-old is projected for a favorable home start versus the Marlins next week.

Bubic logged five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out three in a no-decision in Saturday's win over the Astros.

Bubic was a little generous with eight baserunners allowed, but the Royals' bullpen gave up just two walks in four innings to finish off what was a close game until their offense rallied for four runs in the eighth. This was Bubic's best outing so far after spending nearly a month at Triple-A Omaha with mixed results. The southpaw still has a 9.33 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 13:14 K:BB across 18.1 innings in seven appearances. The Royals will hope he can pitch more often like he did Saturday while Zack Greinke (elbow) is out. Assuming Bubic gets another start, he's projected for a favorable home matchup against the Orioles next week.

Blackburn (5-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three in four innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Red Sox.

Blackburn has now lost consecutive starts, and Saturday's was his shortest outing of the year. He was limited to 73 pitches (45 strikes) as the Red Sox rallied for four runs between the third and fourth innings. The right-hander's recent struggles have his ERA up to 2.62 with a 1.06 WHIP and a 44:14 K:BB through 58.1 innings across 11 starts. He's projected for a road start versus the Guardians next week.

Gonzales (3-6) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts in seven innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Rangers.

Gonzales allowed three baserunners in the fourth inning, which culminated in an Adolis Garcia three-run home run. The Mariners got two runs back in the fifth, but they couldn't get Gonzales off the hook as he took his second straight loss despite another quality start. The southpaw now has a 3.59 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB across 57.2 innings in 11 starts. He's projected to face the Red Sox at home next week.

Bundy (3-3) gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk in 2.1 innings Saturday against the Blue Jays. He struck out two and took the loss.

Bundy gave up two home runs in this one and has now given up at least four earned runs in four of his last six starts and at least five earned runs in three of his last six. He actually threw all of his pitches significantly harder (2.1 mph harder on the fourseam) than he had averaged on the season, but that increased velocity didn't unlock another level for Bundy. If the Twins stay on a five-man rotation, Bundy would line up to pitch next weekend against the Rays.