MLB Player News

Wells allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in one inning in Tuesday's 7-5 win over Toronto.

Prior to Tuesday, Wells had allowed just two hits while striking out eight across six scoreless innings in his last five outings. The reliever's setback didn't cost Baltimore on Tuesday, but it did raise his ERA to 3.86. He's also posted a 0.96 WHIP and 49:8 K:BB across 39.2 innings in a low-leverage role.

Matz (7-4) took the loss Tuesday at Baltimore after giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and zero walks across four innings.

The left-hander generated 10 swinging strikes on only 68 pitches, but he also gave up plenty of hard contact with Pedro Severino and Cedric Mullins taking him deep. Matz has allowed seven earned runs over 6.2 frames in two starts since returning from the injured list. He has a 4.72 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 82:21 K:BB in 76.1 innings this season, and he's projected to start Sunday in Tampa Bay to close out the first half of the season for Toronto.

Watkins (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Blue Jays after allowing a run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts over five innings.

The right-hander gave up a run on a hit, a walk and a sacrifice fly during the opening frame, but he blanked Toronto for the next four innings. Watkins tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen last week in his MLB debut, and he followed that up with a strong performance in his first start Tuesday. The 28-year-old should receive another turn through the rotation and tentatively lines up to start the final game before the All-Star break Sunday versus the White Sox.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Tuesday's loss to the Rangers, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander surrendered a pair of solo homers during the eighth inning Tuesday, and he's given up 13 earned runs in his past five outings. Garcia was a decent bullpen piece through his first 25 appearances with a 4.21 ERA, but his recent struggles unsurprisingly led to a demotion.

Bubic allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings versus Cincinnati on Tuesday. He did not factor in the decision.

Bubic was spared from a third straight loss as Kansas City rallied for a walkoff win in the ninth inning. The southpaw has allowed 13 runs across his last nine innings. He's posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 48:30 K:BB across 56.2 innings overall in a versatile role that has seen him start eight of his 15 appearances. The 23-year-old tentatively lines up for a weekend start versus Cleveland.

Urena allowed five runs on six hits across 4.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers. He walked four and struck out three.

Though he avoided losing his ninth game of the season, Urena was once again ineffective for the Tigers. In his last six starts, the righty is 0-4 and has allowed a whopping 30 earned runs in just 22.2 innings. As a result, Urena's ERA has climbed to 6.43, and he simply can't be trusted by fantasy managers right now. He lines up to face the Twins on Sunday in his next scheduled start.

Dunning allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out six across five innings Tuesday against the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

The only hit Dunning allowed was a solo home run to Robbie Grossman in the fourth inning. He otherwise dominated the Tigers and has now allowed only 10 earned runs across his last 27 innings pitched. On the other hand, Dunning's potential to earn wins and rack up strikeouts has been stifled by the Rangers carefully monitoring his workload. Tuesday's outing was the latest example, as Dunning was pulled after throwing 65 pitches. He left the game with a 5-1 lead, but the bullpen blew his potential chance for a win. Dunning now has a 4.22 ERA with 85 strikeouts across 79 innings this season.

Sale (elbow) will throw two simulated innings Saturday before likely beginning his rehab assignment, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The lefty's Tuesday session was thought to be his last before heading off to real game action, but he apparently needs a bit more simulated work. The Red Sox have not announced yet which minor-league affiliate Sale will join to kick off his rehab assignment.

Wacha will start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wacha's scheduled Tuesday start was postponed due to Tropical Storm Elsa. The right-hander will instead take the ball for the first of two games Wednesday, when he'll be looking to bounce back from a shaky five-run outing in his most recent appearance. The Rays have not confirmed a starter for Game 2, but Josh Fleming (calf) is expected to come off the IL to provide multiple innings in some form.

Watkins will make his first career big-league start Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Since receiving a call-up from Triple-A Norfolk last week, Watkins has made one appearance out of the Baltimore bullpen, tossing a scoreless inning Friday against the Angels. The 28-year-old had previously been working as a starter for Norfolk, compiling a 3.58 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 32.2 innings. Watkins will slot into the Orioles' rotation as a replacement for Travis Lakins, who suffered a significant elbow injury in his first turn as Baltimore's No. 5 starter.