MLB Player News

Kikuchi (back) is listed as the Mariners' projected starter for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Kikuchi's inclusion on the pitching schedule implies that he tossed a between-starts bullpen session without incident after his last outing Monday against the Athletics was cut short when he experienced cramping in his lower back. The southpaw still churned out a fifth consecutive quality start, giving him a 2.78 ERA over that stretch. He'll close out the week with a favorable matchup against a Rangers offense that ranks 22nd in the majors entering Sunday with a team wRC+ of 93 versus left-handed pitching.

Arihara (shoulder) will begin a throwing program in a few weeks.

The Rangers are estimating Arihara will be sidelined a minimum of 12 weeks, but the club is hoping he can pitch before the end of the season. Arihara underwent surgery Thursday to remove an aneurysm and repair the artery in his right shoulder.

Odorizzi did not factor in the decision against San Diego on Saturday despite allowing only one run over 5.1 innings. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four.

The veteran missed over a month due to a right forearm strain, but he returned in style by posting easily his best start of the season. Odorizzi got through five scoreless frames but was pulled after giving up a pair of singles and notching only one out in the sixth frame, and one of the baserunners he left subsequently came around to score. Prior to Saturday, the right-hander had failed to pitch five full innings in any of his four starts, and he still holds an unpleasant 6.75 ERA overall this season. Odorizzi is tentatively scheduled to next face Boston at home Thursday.

Turnbull (4-2) earned the win over the Yankees on Saturday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six.

The right-hander continued his recent run of strong pitching, picking up his third win in his past four outings and narrowly missing his fourth straight quality start. He threw 62 of 100 pitches for strikes while inducing 13 swings-and-misses. Turnbull has allowed one or zero runs three times in his past four games, lowering his overall ERA to 2.93 on the season. He'll look to keep the momentum going in his next start, which is expected to take place in Chicago against the White Sox next weekend.

Dunn took the no-decision against Texas on Saturday, going 5.2 innings and allowing one run on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in a 3-2 win.

Dunn pitched his best game of the season, tying his season high in innings and runs allowed and recording his second most strikeouts. He only ran into trouble in the fourth, when he allowed his only run but all other innings were clean. The efficient outing lowered Dunn's ERA to 3.18.

Means (4-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the White Sox.

Means was dealt his first loss of the season. He delivered three scoreless innings before allowing a home run in back-to-back innings in the fourth and fifth frames. The 28-year-old has a 2.05 ERA and a spectacular 0.80 WHIP, which leads the American League. However, he's surrendered nine of his 16 earned runs in his last three starts. His next start likely won't come until Saturday as the Orioles are running a six-man rotation.

Lynn (6-1) fired five scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out seven to get the win over the Orioles in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.

Lynn delivered another gem, allowing only one extra-base hit. Further, he didn't issue a walk for the third time this season. The 34-year-old has allowed fewer earned runs (8) than he's made starts (9). He boasts a 1.37 ERA, which is the second-best mark in all of baseball. He carries a 9.7 K/9 and leads the White Sox with six wins. His next start is scheduled for Friday against Detroit.

Eovaldi (6-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Marlins, allowing four hits and a walk over 5.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven.

It wasn't the most efficient outing, as Eovaldi fired 101 pitches (71 strikes) and still fell short of a quality start, but the right-hander held the Miami offense firmly in check while he was on the mound. Eovaldi will take a 4.01 ERA and 58:14 K:BB through 60.2 innings into his next outing.

Montas (5-5) took the loss Saturday as the A's were downed 4-0 by the Angels, giving up four unearned runs on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.

With the game still scoreless in the top of the fifth inning and runners on the corners, David Fletcher hit a grounder to Matt Olson, who threw home attempting to cut down the runner from third. Aramis Garcia couldn't handle the toss and was charged with an error, ending Montas' shutout bid, and the rest of the Angels' runs came later that inning with two outs. The right-hander still saw his ERA fall to 4.45, and he'll take a 63:17 K:BB through 58.2 innings into his next outing.

Cobb (3-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the A's. He struck out eight.

The right-hander only fired 58 of 101 pitches for strikes, but Cobb mostly avoided ball fours and got plenty of strike threes in his longest outing, and second quality start, of the season. He's won both his starts since returning to the rotation from the IL, and Cobb will carry a 3.78 ERA and 43:12 K:BB through 33.1 innings into his next turn.