MLB Player News

Stripling is the most likely candidate to move into the Toronto rotation if Hyun Jin Ryu (forearm) requires a stint on the injured list, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Ryu lasted just four innings in his start Wednesday against the White Sox before departing with left forearm tightness. Stripling came on in long relief behind him and tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, so he would be lined up to fill in for Ryu if a replacement is needed when the Blue Jays next require a fifth starter Monday in Kansas City. For the time being, a decision hasn't been made on whether Ryu will need to go on the IL, as the Blue Jays will first evaluate the results of the MRI he underwent earlier Thursday. Stripling previously made five starts for Toronto earlier this season, logging a 4.29 ERA and striking out 18 over 21 innings in those outings.

Gray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain Thursday, retroactive to May 30, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Gray exited Sunday's start against the Royals due to a sore right pectoral, but he improved in recent days and played catch Wednesday. However, the right-hander will ultimately be forced to miss several turns through the rotation. It's a discouraging setback for the 32-year-old, who posted a 1.65 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 27.1 innings over five starts in May after returning from a hamstring injury. Yennier Cano was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, but it's not yet clear who will take Gray's place in the rotation.

Ryu is undergoing tests on his left forearm Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Ryu left his start Wednesday against the White Sox due to left forearm tightness, the latest issue in an injury-filled season for the veteran southpaw. He missed over a month early in the year with forearm inflammation and also exited his last start in May due to elbow tightness. It's hard to be confident in his ability to make his next start, but whether or not that's in play should become clear once the results of his tests are known. Ross Stripling is expected to slot into the rotation if Ryu is unable to make his next turn and ends up on the injured list, according to Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Rodriguez (rib cage) will begin a rehab assignment soon, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez resumed playing catch one week ago without issue, and he looks like he could be cleared for a bullpen session in the coming days. If all goes well once the left-hander gets back on a mound and faces hitters, he could be sent out on a rehab assignment as soon as next week. Since he's been sidelined for approximately two weeks due to a sprain on the left side of his rib cage, Rodriguez will likely need only one start in the minors before he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Thursday that Ryan (illness) is "a tick behind" Gilberto Celestino (illness) in the two players' respective recoveries from positive COVID-19 tests, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Celestino has cleared all COVID-19-related protocols and is participating in a workout at Target Field on Thursday, so Baldelli's comments would seem to imply that Ryan needs at least one more negative COVID-19 test before he's able to report to the team facility. Minnesota is uncertain if Ryan will require a rehab start prior to being activated from the COVID-19 injured list, but because he's been away from the team since testing positive for the virus May 25, he'll almost certainly need an extended bullpen outing at the very least before the Twins are comfortable slotting him back in the rotation. With that in mind, Ryan seems unlikely to make a start during the Twins' upcoming three-game series in Toronto that begins Friday.

Whitlock (2-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and zero walks over six innings against the Reds. He struck out zero.

Whitlock was dominant and scattered five singles across six innings as he cruised to his second win of the season. However, he failed to record a strikeout for the first time as a starter this year, which limited his overall fantasy output. Regardless, the youngster still sports a 3.02 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across eight starts and 44.2 total innings. His next outing is tentatively scheduled for next week against the Angels.

Kopech (1-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks over three innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

After tossing seven scoreless innings against the Yankees on May 22, the White Sox opted to give the right-hander extra rest heading into Wednesday's matchup. However, Kopech appeared rusty and allowed runs in all three innings he pitched, including a three-run homer to Danny Jansen in the bottom of the third. Despite the poor start, Kopech still sports a 2.20 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP and has 43 strikeouts across 45.0 innings. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's matchup with the Dodgers.

Ober (1-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits across six innings during Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Tigers. He recorded four strikeouts and zero walks.

Ober allowed a leadoff double in the first inning to Willi Castro, who came around to score on an RBI single from Jonathan Schoop two batters later. However, the right-hander was able to settle down and throw three scoreless innings before finding himself in trouble again in the fifth. Ober allowed five of the first six to reach in that frame, including three doubles, which led to four more earned runs. After seven starts this season, Ober's ERA sits at 4.01 ERA, but he sports a 29:7 K:BB across 33.2 innings. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's matchup with the Yankees.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

The southpaw tossed 57 of 89 pitches for strikes before getting the hook one out short of his fourth straight quality start. Irvin isn't dominant, but when healthy he's been getting the job done for an Oakland squad in need of stability in the rotation, working at least five innings in seven straight trips to the mound without giving up more than three earned runs in any of them. He'll carry a 2.96 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB through 45.2 innings into his next outing.

Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 in over the A's, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The future Hall of Famer took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but an Elvis Andrus double and Christian Bethancourt homer quickly put Verlander on the hook for a loss until Houston rallied in the top of the ninth. He still delivered his seventh quality start of the season, and Verlander will take a 2.23 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 61:12 K:BB through 64.2 innings into his next outing.