MLB Player News

Gibson did not factor into the decision against Kansas City on Thursday, pitching 1.2 innings and giving up three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two.

After coming out of the bullpen in his previous appearance, Gibson was given the opportunity to start Thursday but did little to stem the tide of his recent slump. The 31-year-old had trouble finding the plate all evening, tossing only 25 of 52 pitches for strikes and issuing four walks in 1.2 innings. Gibson held a 4.02 ERA after a win on Aug. 3 but has since gone 2-3 while posting an 8.02 ERA over 33.2 innings. He'll try to turn things around in a road matchup against Detroit on Wednesday.

Clevinger (12-3) pitched six scoreless innings to earn the win against Detroit on Thursday. He gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out six.

Clevinger labored through a 33-pitch first inning that ended with a bases-loaded flyout, then needed only 70 pitches to breeze through the following five frames. The outing was his fifth straight quality start and marked his fifteenth consecutive appearance in which he struck out at least six batters. Clevinger continues to fly under the radar as one of the most reliable and effective pitchers in the league; he has allowed three or fewer runs in 16 of 19 starts this season and has posted a 10-1 record along with a magnificent 2.02 ERA and 115:24 K:BB over 89 innings since the All-Star break. He'll head to Chicago to take on the White Sox on Tuesday in his next scheduled start.

Heaney (4-6) took the loss against the Yankees on Thursday. He gave up six earned runs on five hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking three as the Angels fell 9-1.

He fanned eight batters, but Heaney struggled for a second straight start, with this outing giving him 12 earned runs over his last 8.1 innings. He's had a problem with the long ball, yielding two more Thursday to give opponents 19 homers against him in just 90 innings. Overall, Heaney has a 5.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 111:28 K:BB on the season.

Kikuchi allowed four earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out one across four innings Thursday against the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.

Kikuchi coughed up a four-run lead in the second inning, allowing four doubles and a single in the frame. He also got into trouble in the fourth inning, loading the bases with two outs prior to escaping the jam by getting Jose Osuna to ground out. Kikuchi has struggled for much of the season, and that hasn't changed of late, as he's now allowed 10 earned runs in 16.1 innings -- spanning four starts -- in September. He'll look to close the season on a better note, with his final appearance of the season currently projected for Wednesday at home against Houston.

Rodriguez (18-6) picked up the win on Thursday after holding the Giants to one run (unearned) on two hits and a pair of walks while striking out 10 across six innings.

The southpaw continued down his path of consistency, engraving himself as Boston's top pitcher this season. Rodriguez recorded double-digit punch outs for the fourth time this year as he reached new career highs in innings pitched (191.1), strikeouts (199) and wins (18). He'll carry a 3.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 199:70 K:BB into a Tuesday matchup at Texas.

Suarez will work as the primary pitcher Sunday against the Astros, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He will follow opener Jose Rodriguez, who is expected to throw around 50 pitches before coming out. If Rodriguez, who has not allowed a run in his last nine innings, pitches well, Suarez could get the win in relief, but it will be a tall task against Houston's offense.

Boyd (personal) has rejoined the team and will start Sunday against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

He attended the funeral of his paternal grandfather earlier this week but rejoined the team Thursday. Boyd has a 5.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 30.1 innings over his last five starts.

Kluber (oblique) long-tossed from 100 feet with good intensity Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

While it is good to see Kluber progressing, he won't have enough time to return to the mound this season. He will be a fascinating player for 2020 fantasy drafts, as he wasn't very good when he was healthy this year (5.80 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 38:15 K:BB in 35.2 innings). Kluber had thrown over 200 innings in five straight seasons prior to this year.

German was placed on administrative leave Thursday under the league's domestic violence policy, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The period of leave will last up to seven days, barring an extension. There are no details regarding this issue at this point, but MLB will investigate the issue and will not comment further until the investigation is complete.

Snell's arm felt good following Tuesday's two-inning start against the Dodgers, leaving him on track for Monday's turn against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell rattled off two perfect innings in his first game back after being sidelined nearly two months due to arthroscopic elbow surgery. He'll need to get through a catch session Thursday and a bullpen Saturday without setbacks before locking in his next appearance, but the fact his arm was in good shape a day after he consistently hit the mid-90s on the radar gun certainly bodes well.