MLB Player News

Bieber (9-3) notched the win after yielding five runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings Friday night against the Royals.

Bieber surrendered a run in the first inning on a balk, and he'd give up another in the third followed by a bases-clearing triple in the sixth prior to exiting. Fortunately, the Indians offense put up 10 runs on the night, which is why he was able to snag the victory. The 24-year-old didn't appear to have his best stuff Friday night, but he owns a solid 3.69 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with a 156:28 K:BB over 124.1 innings so far this season.

Means (8-5) allowed two runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout to earn a victory against the Red Sox on Friday.

Owners aren't getting many strikeouts from Means, but to have eight wins as a starting pitcher on this Orioles team is quite an accomplishment. He has stellar other numbers as well with a 2.95 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and .224 batting average against, along with 74 strikeouts in 94.2 innings this season. Means will start next at the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Stroman (6-10) picked up the win Friday in a 12-1 victory over the Tigers, allowing six hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out five.

If the right-hander was auditioning for other teams' scouts, he could hardly have done more to improve his value to a contender. Stroman threw 63 of 101 pitches for strikes en route to his sixth quality start in his last eight trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.06 ERA and 93:34 K:BB through 117.2 innings into his next outing -- which, barring a trade, will come when the Jays host Cleveland on Wednesday.

Eovaldi (elbow) won't necessarily be handed the closer role immediately upon being activated from the 60-day injured list Saturday, contrary to previous reports, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Reports from early July suggested that Eovaldi would be the Red Sox's closer once healthy, but those reports may have been premature. Manager Alex Cora has no plans to name a closer but acknowledged that Brandon Workman effectively has the role for now. Eovaldi could still win the job at some point, but don't expect him to be handed the majority of save chances right away.

Eovaldi (elbow) is expected to be activated off the 60-day injured list Saturday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Eovaldi has been out since undergoing elbow surgery in mid-April. He's made just a single rehab appearance but the Red Sox have nevertheless decided he's ready to go. He's expected to be Boston's closer once active.

Bundy (knee) hopes to return from the injured list when first eligible Tuesday in Arizona, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Bundy's latest bullpen session Wednesday went smoothly. If his next session Saturday happens without issues, he should be set to return after the minimum 10 days.

Ramirez is nearing the end of a 15-month rehab from Tommy John surgery, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Upon his return, Ramirez will be pitching out of the bullpen. A starter for the Angels in 2017, Ramirez went 11-10 with a 4.15 ERA in 27 appearances. He has not reached full command on his slider nor has he been able to reach the full velocity on his fastball (95.6 mph over his first five seasons in the big leagues). The Angels have some holes in their pitching staff due to the passing of Tyler Skaggs and decision to drop Matt Harvey from the roster, so once Ramirez has more authority on his pitches, he could be stretched back out as a starter.

Mize (shoulder) rejoined Double-A Erie on Friday.

Mize threw four innings during his second rehab outing for High-A Lakeland on Tuesday, allowing two runs and retiring the last nine hitters he faced while throwing 73 pitches. One of baseball's top pitching prospects, Mize has been out since June 14, dealing with minor right shoulder inflammation. The 22-year-old and 2018 No. 1 overall pick has posted a dominant 8-0 record with a 1.09 ERA and 80:16 K:BB during his second season in the minors.

Miley (8-4) picked up the win against the Angels on Thursday, tossing 5.1 innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Miley appeared to be on his way to his fourth straight quality start, breezing through five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth, when a pair of singles, a sacrifice fly and a throwing error led to his exit. Still, the 32-year-old took home his eighth win, allowing only one extra-base hit on the night. Miley has been a model of consistency this season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 18 of his 20 appearances. He'll carry a tidy 3.25 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next scheduled start, at home against Oakland on Tuesday.

Gibson (9-4) earned the win against Oakland on Thursday, hurling seven innings and giving up three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out seven.

The damage against Gibson came on a pair of extra-base hits -- a run-scoring double by Khris Davis in the fourth inning and a two-run homer by Jurickson Profar in the sixth -- but the 31-year-old was otherwise effective, limiting Oakland to four singles without issuing a walk. He was credited with the win after Minnesota plated three runs in the seventh inning on a three-run homer by Eddie Rosario. Gibson has posted a 4.02 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 106:29 K:BB in 105.1 innings this season and is next scheduled to face the Yankees on Tuesday.