MLB Player News

Javier allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over three scoreless relief innings in Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Yankees.

Starter Zack Greinke was removed after four innings with shoulder soreness, at which point Javier took the mound. The 24-year-old was excellent in a bulk-relief role. He had given up four runs in 9.1 innings across his six previous outings prior to Saturday's multi-inning assignment. Javier began the year in the rotation, but he's since shifted to a bullpen role that has seen him log a save, three holds and a blown save. If Greinke ends up missing a start, Javier would be a natural option as a spot starter. He's posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 89:35 K:BB across 72 innings.

Cole (9-4) pitched a shutout, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out 12 in nine innings in Saturday's 1-0 win over Houston.

The right-hander put an exclamation point on the end of the first half of the season, as all three hits he allowed were singles. Cole had notably struggled in his last six starts amid MLB's crackdown on sticky substances, but he was in his finest form Saturday, and he retired Yordan Alvarez on a 99 mph fastball to complete the shutout. The stellar outing lowered Cole's ERA to 2.68 with a 0.93 WHIP and 147:22 K:BB across 114 innings. He'll likely take the mound some point in next weekend's four-game series versus Boston coming out of the All-Star break.

Manager Dusty Baker said following Saturday's loss to the Yankees that Greinke was removed after just four innings (65 pitches) because of right shoulder soreness, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. The right-hander fanned three while allowing one run on three hits and one walk.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Greinke's shoulder has been bothering him for about a month, so the club planned to make it a short outing for the right-hander prior to the beginning of the contest. Greinke didn't rule out the possibility of the issue impacting his usage following the All-Star break, though he noted that "it's not the worst thing" he's pitched through. The 37-year-old's post-break status should become clearer at some point toward the middle or end of next week, as he tentatively lines up to pitch July 19 against Cleveland.

Kaprielian allowed two runs on four hits and four walks in five innings of a no-decision Saturday against Texas. He struck out four.

Kaprielian wasn't particularly efficient, allowing eight baserunners and throwing just 48 of his 87 pitches for strikes, but he did settle in after allowing back-to-back homers in the first inning and got through five complete innings for his seventh consecutive start. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start during that stretch, lowering his ERA to 2.90 in 62 innings for the season. Kaprielian is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home against the Angels.

Stripling fell to 3-5 on the season Saturday against the Rays, allowing four runs on four hits in 3.2 innings. He struck out five batters while walking two.

The Rays got to Stripling right away, with Brandon Lowe hitting a solo shot in the first inning. They added three more runs in the fourth inning on a solo shot from Mike Zunino and a two-run blast from Lowe. Stripling has now allowed 1.9 HR/9 on the season after allowing 2.4 HR/9 last year.

Sale (elbow) will throw a two-inning simulated game Saturday, Matt Vautour of MassLive.com reports.

Sale's sim game will take place in Fort Myers (Fla.), and the team will evaluate him Sunday before determining the left-hander's next step. If all goes well, Sale could make a rehab start, possibly for Triple-A Worcester, toward the end of next week.

Lyles (5-5) picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the A's, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty tossed 61 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth straight quality start and eighth of the season. Despite the recent run of success, Lyles will still carry a lackluster 4.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB through 96.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Irvin (6-9) took the loss Friday as the A's were downed 3-2 by the Rangers, giving up three runs on three hits over five-plus innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The lefty took a shutout into the sixth inning, but Irvin got the hook after the first four Texas batters reached base on three singles and a hit by pitch, and Sergio Romo then allowed two of those inherited runners to score. Irvin has been one of the big surprises of the first half in the American League, and the 27-year-old will take a 3.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 78:19 K:BB through 106 innings into the All-Star break.

McClanahan didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.

In a matchup of exciting young hurlers (Alek Manoah and McClanahan), neither pitcher lasted until the fifth inning. Tampa Bay's rookie lefty tossed 58 of 91 pitches for strikes in an inefficient outing, but he did strike out at least five batters for the fourth straight start. McClanahan will take a 4.05 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB through his first 60 big-league innings into the All-Star break.

Manoah (2-1) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays fell 7-1 to the Rays, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out nine.

The rookie flashed his dominance as nine of his 11 outs came via strikeout, but Manoah had trouble finding the zone regularly -- he threw 48 of 88 pitches for strikes before exiting -- and also plunked two more batters, giving him four HBP through his first 40.1 big-league innings. Despite a few bumpy outings, he'll take a 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 52:15 K:BB into the All-Star break.