MLB Player News

Morton (11-3) took the loss in Game 2 of the Rays' doubleheader with the Yankees on Thursday, giving up five earned runs on five hits over 5.2 innings, striking out four and walking four as Tampa Bay fell 5-1.

The righty hit a bump in the road in this contest, uncharacteristically struggling with his control in issuing four free passes. Morton is still having a fantastic season, as his ERA stands at 2.61 to go along with a 1.06 WHIP and a 152:41 K:BB through 124.1 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which will see him take on the Red Sox at home on Tuesday.

Chirinos (8-5) took the loss in Game 1 of Tampa Bay's doubleheader with the Yankees on Thursday, giving up five runs (four earned) on nine hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking two as the Rays fell 6-2.

The right-hander couldn't extend his run of seven straight quality starts, but he emerged with a respectable final line against a tough Yankees lineup that he's fared well against this season. It was a bit of a bump in the road, but Chirinos is enjoying a fine season for the Rays, as he's sporting a 3.29 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and a 97:24 K:BB over 112 innings. He lines up to take on the Red Sox next at home on Wednesday.

German (12-2) got the win against in Game 1 of the Yankees' doubleheader against Rays on Thursday, giving up two earned runs on four hits over six innings, striking out five and walking two in a 6-2 victory.

The right-hander continues to rack up victories, tossing another quality start in this contest to give him 12 wins in 15 starts this season. His numbers are good, too, as he's sporting a solid 3.38 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and a 95:21 K:BB over 88 innings in what can safely be called a breakout campaign for the 26-year-old. He'll look to keep it rolling in his next start, which is scheduled for a Tuesday road matchup against the Twins.

Keller (6-9) allowed four runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out seven across 6.1 innings to earn the win Thursday against the White Sox.

Keller wasn't helped by his defense in the first inning, as the ball never left the infield yet two runs crossed the plate thanks to a passed ball, error and two infield hits. He bounced back to allow only two earned runs across his remaining five innings of work, generating 14 swinging strikes and 19 called strikes on 106 total pitches. He also effectively limited the long ball, recording nine groundball outs. Keller has lowered his ERA to 4.18 by surrendering only four earned runs across his last 20 frames -- a span of three starts. He'll look to keep things going in his next start, currently scheduled for Wednesday at Atlanta.

Cortes was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Cortes surrendered one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two over 3.1 frames in the nightcap. The Yankees will likely call up a fresh arm in his place, though a corresponding move has yet to be made.

Boyd (6-8) allowed five runs on six hits with no walks across six innings to take the loss Thursday against Cleveland. He struck out eight.

Boyd threw 68 percent of his pitches for strikes as he notched a healthy strikeout total, but a pair of two-run home runs accounted for a significant chunk of the damage done against him. He otherwise pitched quite well, limiting baserunners to good effect. Boyd has struggled of late, allowing at least four earned runs in each of his last six starts while going deeper than six innings just twice in that span. He'll look to get back on track next week at home against the Phillies.

Sale (4-9) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 12 across six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Sale returned to form after a few bumpy outings, dominating the Blue Jays by generating 20 swinging strikes. Both hits he allowed were singles, and he allowed only one runner to reach scoring position throughout the afternoon. While his 4.05 ERA is disappointing, his 172 strikeouts and 1.08 WHIP across 117.2 frames serve as a reminder of how dominant he can be. Sale will draw his next start Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Ramirez (elbow) will make another rehab appearance for High-A Inland Empire on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ramirez fired 45 pitches over three innings for Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out three. He's set to throw another 45 pitches in his next rehab appearance. The right-hander, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, said he's expected to return when his rehab window expires at the end of July, and he'll be brought back up to speed as a reliever, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

Turnbull will run into an innings limit at some point in the second half, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Manager Ron Gardenhire didn't give a specific innings total or date at which Turnbull would be shut down, but it makes sense for the Tigers to be cautious with their young arms in a season in which they aren't close to the playoff race. Turnbull threw 135.2 innings last year and is at 98.2 so far this season.

Eovaldi (elbow) issued one walk and struck out three batters across a scoreless inning for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday.

Eovaldi looked sharp in what was his first game action since mid-April, firing 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes and touching 98 mph with his fastball, per Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal. If the right-hander checks out OK in the coming days, he could be activated from the injured list during the team's upcoming series in Baltimore, which begins Friday. Eovaldi is expected to serve as Boston's closer once healthy.