MLB Player News

Matz is available to pitch out of the bullpen this weekend, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Matz was squeezed out of the rotation plans this weekend in Tampa Bay following Thursday's postponement, so he'll be available to pitch as a reliever with the All-Star break coming next week. If he doesn't take the mound, the lefty will finish the first half with a 4.72 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 82:21 K:BB across 76.1 innings. He should rejoin the rotation coming out of the break.

McKenzie was officially recalled from Triple-A Columbus ahead of his start Friday against the Royals, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Cleveland announced Thursday that McKenzie would take the ball Friday, and now the club has made room for him on the 26-man roster by optioning Sam Hentges to Columbus. McKenzie made 11 appearances (10 starts) in the majors earlier this season, posting a shaky 6.38 ERA and 59:39 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Ray is scheduled to start the Blue Jays' series finale in Tampa Bay on Sunday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Ray was initially lined up to make his final start of the first half Saturday, but he'll be pushed back a day in the pitching schedule after Thursday's game against the Orioles was postponed due to inclement weather. The Blue Jays plan to go with Alek Manoah, Ross Stripling and Ray as their starters for the series in Tampa Bay, resulting in Steven Matz missing out on his second start of the week. With a 3.36 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 119:23 K:BB across his 16 starts this season, Ray has a compelling case to be named an alternate in the All-Star Game next week if the American League needs to replace a pitcher.

Skubal (5-8) lost Thursday's 5-3 game at the hands of the Twins, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in six innings.

Skubal had only surrendered two runs through six innings but permitted a game-tying Miguel Sano home run to begin the seventh, then he gave up a single and error before departing. The latter two runners eventually scored and Skubal was saddled with the loss despite the quality start, his first in eight turns.

McCullers (6-2) allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight across seven innings to take the loss Thursday against the Athletics.

McCullers was sharp but took the loss as the Astros were shut down by Frankie Montas. Three of the seven hits McCullers surrendered did go for extra-bases, but he managed to work out of moderate trouble thanks to eight strikeouts. Most encouragingly, McCullers completed more than six innings for the first time in five starts since coming off the injured list and also threw 107 pitches. McCullers will head into the All-Star break with a 2.94 ERA and 89 punchouts across 79.2 frames.

Montas (8-7) allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out 10 across 6.2 innings to earn the win Thursday against the Astros.

Montas dominated the Astros and recorded double-digit strikeouts in a start for the second time this season. He backed that with 22 swinging strikes on 95 total pitches and has now surrendered two earned runs or less in each of his last three starts. Montas will enter the All-Star break with a 4.41 ERA with 105 strikeouts across 100 innings on the campaign.

Montgomery (3-4) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Mariners after allowing three runs on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out nine across 6.2 innings.

After giving up three runs through the first two innings, including a solo home run to Kyle Seager in the first followed by a two-run shot to Dylan Moore in the second, Montgomery settled down, blanking Seattle the rest of the way. Unfortunately, his teammates provided zero run support, strapping Montgomery with a tough loss. The 28-year-old has now gone six straight starts without a win. He'll conclude the first half of the season with a 4.16 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Gilbert (3-2) earned the win Thursday after holding the Yankees scoreless across seven innings. He allowed one hit and no walks while striking out eight.

After giving up a leadoff double to Giancarlo Stanton in the second inning and hitting Luke Voit on the hand, Gilbert was locked in, retiring 18 Yankees in a row while fanning a season-high eight batters in the process. It was just the second time this year that the right-hander blanked his opponent. He'll take a 3.51 ERA and 0.97 WHIP into the All-Star Break.

Manager Aaron Boone said Cortes will start Friday's series opener at Houston, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The left-hander made his first start of the season in Sunday's doubleheader and allowed a run across 3.1 innings, and he'll remain in the rotation for at least one more turn with Michael King (finger) sidelined. Cortes has been fantastic in eight outings for the Yankees this season with a 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB in 21 frames, and he could receive a longer look as a starter after the All-Star break with another strong showing Friday.

Means (shoulder) is expected to pitch three or four innings during his second rehab start Friday at Double-A Bowie, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander fired two frames in his first rehab outing Sunday and will continue ramping up his workload in the minors. Means is then tentatively scheduled for another start at Triple-A Norfolk next week, potentially putting him on track to rejoin the big-league rotation after the All-Star break during a three-game set in Tampa Bay beginning July 19.