MLB Player News

Baz has tossed seven innings across two outings since returning to Triple-A Durham after a monthlong absence for the Olympics, giving up two runs on four hits with a 9:0 K:BB.

They've eased him back in after his lengthy absence, continuing the Rays' trend of treating Baz with kid gloves. He's yet to exceed five innings all season long, and that'll probably remain the case down the stretch. Despite his somewhat limited workload, this has been a breakthrough season for Baz, who struggled with his control in years past but has a spectacular 91:10 K:BB in 62.2 innings this season. He'll likely reach the big leagues next year, but it won't be a surprise if the Rays continue monitoring his innings.

Cease improved to 10-6 after limiting the Blue Jays to one run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven in seven innings Tuesday in the White Sox's 5-2 victory.

The White Sox staked Cease to a 4-0 lead before he first took the mound for the bottom of the first inning, and the right-hander ensured his side maintained that advantage from wire to wire. Toronto didn't break through against Cease until the seventh inning, when Corey Dickerson took the right-hander deep for a solo shot. Cease, who owns a 3-2 record, 3.55 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 since the All-Star break, tentatively lines up for his second start of the week Sunday at home versus the Cubs.

Berrios dropped to 8-7 after giving up four runs on nine hits while striking out six over three innings Tuesday in the Blue Jays' 5-2 loss to the White Sox.

Though Berrios ended his night on a high note by striking out the final three batters he faced, he couldn't dig himself out of an early hole. After allowing back-to-back base hits to Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada to begin the game, Berrios served up a three-run home run to Jose Abreu. He would go on to allow another run in the top of the first before righting the ship thereafter, but because Berrios was already up to 68 pitches after three innings, manager Charlie Montoyo elected to pull the plug on the right-hander. Berrios has now submitted a 4.81 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in five starts with the Blue Jays since joining the team ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Boyd (triceps) is "penciled in" to start Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Boyd made his final rehab start at Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday and allowed a hit and no walks while striking out six in 4.1 innings. He tossed 56 pitches in the appearance. The southpaw may have a pitch count if he ultimately returns to the mound Sunday.

Garcia (10-6) tossed 6.2 scoreless innings en route to grabbing the win Tuesday in the Astros' 4-0 victory over the Royals. He struck out seven and gave up four hits and walked one.

The Houston offense staked Garcia to a 3-0 lead after the first inning, and the run support was more than enough for the 24-year-old, who continues to build a strong case for American League Rookie of the Year honors. He's bounced back well from back-to-back starts in which he allowed a combined 10 earned runs, posting a 1.99 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB in 22.2 innings over his most recent four outings.

Singer (3-9) allowed four runs (one earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out six in five innings, taking the loss versus Houston on Tuesday.

A pair of first-inning errors by Kansas City's defense didn't help Singer's cause, and the offense mustered just four hits in the entire game. The right-hander has to shoulder some share of the blame, however, as he allowed more than 10 baserunners for the sixth time in 22 starts. He has a 5.07 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 106:46 K:BB through 103 innings this year. Singer lines up for a slightly easier matchup at home versus Cleveland next week.

Houck allowed three earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six across 4.2 innings Tuesday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Houck was recalled from Triple-A Worcester for the start, but his most recent outing in any professional game came with the Red Sox on Aug. 17. He wasn't particularly sharp, as he required 92 pitches to retire 14 batters and began only 11 of the 22 hitters he faced with a strike. Houck is expected to stick in the rotation moving forward, and the consistency in his role could help him work deeper into games as he's worked five innings only once in eight starts on the campaign. Houck has delivered high quality innings to this point, maintaining a 3.43 ERA with a 52:8 K:BB across 39.1 frames.

Bundy allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out three across 1.1 innings during Tuesday's win over the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

Bundy continued this season's struggles with another poor performance. After serving up a solo homer to Ryan Mountcastle in the first inning, the right-hander faced four batters in the second, walking two and hitting one before getting pulled. Since rejoining the rotation, Bundy has given up nine runs and 11 walks across five starts (20.2 innings), bringing his ERA to 6.06. Even if Bundy gets another chance in the rotation, he's not a reliable option for fantasy purposes.

Watkins surrendered eight runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three across two innings during Tuesday's loss to the Angels. He did not factor into the decision.

Aside from not serving up any free passes, Watkins failed to show any improvements Tuesday. The 28-year-old has now allowed 22 earned runs in 16 innings over his past four starts. His ERA is 12.38 in that time. If granted another opportunity to start, Watkins projects for a Sunday matchup against Tampa Bay.

Mize (7-6) pitched five scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Cardinals. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two.

Mize looked sharp through five frames, but manager A.J. Hinch decided to pull his righty after just 76 pitches. The 24-year-old has now logged 129.1 innings, which is up significantly from the 28.1 he posted during his MLB debut last season. His professional high was the 109.1 innings he tossed between High-A and Double-A back in 2019, so it makes sense that the Tigers are being careful with Mize's workload, given his importance to the team's future. He's pitched well with a 3.55 ERA this year, but his fantasy value will be capped if he's not allowed to work deep into games.