MLB Player News

Urquidy allowed five runs on eight hits while striking out four over 2.1 innings Sunday in Houston's win over the Angels. He did not factor into the decision.

Fortunately for Urquidy, the Astros' offense woke up later in the game to take him off the hook for the loss. All five runs he allowed came in the third inning, including a two-run shot from Shohei Ohtani. After giving up seven runs over six innings in his first two MLB starts, Urquidy's future in the rotation may be murky.

Morton (10-2) struck out 10 while allowing one run on five hits and one walk through 5.2 innings to take the win over the Yankees on Sunday.

Morton found himself in a pitching duel with James Paxton and prevailed by only allowing a solo home run and generating 13 swinging strikes. The right-hander has back-to-back starts with 10 or more strikeouts and has an MLB-leading 83 strikeouts on his curveball. Morton's 2.32 ERA is the best in the American League heading into the All-Star break.

Paxton (5-4) struck out 11 while allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks through six innings to take the loss against the Rays on Sunday.

Paxton allowed a hit to the first three batters he faced and surrendered two runs in the first inning, but afterward he effectively shut down the Rays with 20 swinging strikes, 15 of which came on his fastball. The left-hander has only allowed three runs and has 14 strikeouts in his last two starts. Paxton continues to have trouble at the beginning of games with a 10.20 ERA in the first inning and a 2.49 ERA in all other frames. The 30-year-old has a 5-4 record with a 4.01 ERA through 15 starts heading into the All-Star break.

The Indians announced Sunday that Carrasco has been diagnosed with a treatable form of chronic myeloid leukemia that will allow him to resume strength and conditioning workouts and throwing workouts while he recovers from the illness, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Doctors will continue to regularly re-evaluate Carrasco as he steadily increases his activity, but the Indians aren't putting a timeline on his return to game action. The report nonetheless amounts to a positive development for the right-hander, who remains hopeful to pitch again at some point in 2019.

Heaney (1-3) took the loss Saturday as the Angels fell 4-0 to the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings while striking out five.

It wasn't a bad outing for the southpaw, but with Gerrit Cole in top form opposite him, Heaney couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He'll carry a 5.18 ERA and 49:17 K:BB through 41.2 innings into the All-Star break.

Cole (9-5) won his fourth straight start, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Angels.

Cole allowed a first-inning double and a couple of harmless singles the rest of the way. It was another dominating performance for Cole, who hasn't tasted defeat over nine straight outings, a stretch during which the right-hander's posted a 1.55 ERA while winning six times. Manager AJ Hinch has not yet made official the starting rotation coming out of the break, but fantasy players should expect Cole in one of the first two games, Thursday or Friday, at Texas.

Giolito (11-3) was dealt the loss Saturday against the Cubs after surrendering six runs on four hits and five walks across four innings. He had five strikeouts.

Giolito has allowed more than three runs only twice in his last 14 starts, both of which have been against the White Sox's crosstown rivals. The 24-year-old couldn't find his command Saturday, with the five walks setting a season high. Giolito still finishes a quality first half of the season with a 3.15 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 120:38 K:BB through 100 innings.

Gonzales (10-7) pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out six and earned the win in a 6-3 result against the Athletics.

Gonzales found himself behind after a rough first inning, but the Mariners' bats took over in the fourth inning and the southpaw was able to keep the Athletics at bay in the later innings. Gonzales' 10 wins put him three shy of the mark he set in a breakout season last year. He's had success lately, winning five of his last six starts and pitching to a 2.89 ERA in that span. For the year, he's at a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with an 82:32 K:BB in 114.2 innings. Gonzales lines up to face the Angels on the road after the All-Star break.

Bassitt (5-4) pitched 4.1 innings in a loss Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out three against the Mariners.

Bassitt did well for the first three innings, but he allowed two home runs in the fourth and got into more trouble in the fifth before getting replaced by Wei-Chung Wang. Bassitt has only posted two quality starts over his last 10 outings. The right-hander has a 4.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 77.2 innings this season. His next start is expected to come at home against the White Sox.

Blackburn was sent down to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Blackburn was just called up from the Aviators on Friday, but his stay with the Athletics was never expected to be long term. The right-hander essentially served as a one-day stand-in for J.B. Wendelken, who couldn't be promoted until Saturday due to the mandatory 10-day waiting period in place for such scenarios. Manager Bob Melvin explained that Blackburn's best chance at seeing consistent game action is on the farm, with the big-league club having much more of a need for relievers than starters at the moment.