MLB Player News

Kikuchi (4-5) allowed three runs on five hits and five walks across six innings to earn the win Sunday against the Orioles. He struck out three.

Kikuchi uncharacteristically failed to throw strikes for much of the day as he set a new career high in walks. He allowed a run in the first, second and sixth inning while battling to mitigate further damage. On a positive note, Kikuchi turned in a quality start and earned his first win in over a month, but he didn't look overly convincing in light of his recent struggles. He will face a difficult matchup in his next start on the road against Houston.

Verlander (10-3) picked up the win Sunday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out nine.

Verlander was dialed in Sunday aside from a shaky fifth inning, during which he allowed a pair of singles before serving up a three-run homer to DJ LeMahieu. The veteran right-hander has struggled a bit to keep the ball in the yard this season, allowing 21 homers through 17 starts (1.65 HR/9), though he still owns an impressive 2.67 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 142:22 K:BB across 114.2 innings. Verlander will look to keep things rolling in his next outing, which will come at home against the Mariners.

Means (shoulder) felt good after his throwing session Sunday and is scheduled for a bullpen session Monday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles never expected Means to face an extended absence and his quick return to throwing has him on track to pitch next weekend against the Indians. The 26-year-old shouldn't require a minor-league rehab assignment since he only landed on the injured list Thursday.

Stroman (5-9) threw six shutout innings, allowing five hits with one walk and six strikeouts to earn a victory against the Red Sox on Sunday.

This was his first time Stroman yielded no runs in a start since April 26, but he has pitched well over the last several weeks. His record won't indicate that, but he owns a 2.96 ERA in his last eight outings. Overall, Stroman is 5-9 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 100.2 innings this season. The margin of error for Stroman is just so small, though, that he needs outings like the one from Sunday in order to win. He will make his next start at home Saturday against the Royals.

Berrios isn't expected to miss a start due to the blister that caused him to exit Saturday's game, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Berrios still delivered seven scoreless innings before leaving the game with a pair of runners on base -- both of which came around to score -- but the blister appears to be a minor concern. The 25-year-old is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday and likely slots in to start Friday at the White Sox.

Kirby, the Mariners' 20th overall selection in the 2019 first-year player draft, is likely to make his professional debut for short-season Everett in mid-July, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The rookie from Elon University logged 88.1 innings during his junior season earlier this year, so the Mariners intend to be cautious with his overall workload. Kirby is already traveling and working out with the AquaSox, but the organization's plan to limit him to a maximum of approximately 30 innings will result in a midsummer debut.

Cortes was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Cortes had only just been sent down Thursday but will return with Cameron Maybin (calf) heading to the injured list. Cortes owns a respectable 4.09 ERA in 22 innings of work for the Yankees this season, striking out 25.0 percent of opposing batters while walking 6.5 percent.

Lynn (9-4) allowed five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six to pick up the win Saturday against the White Sox.

Lynn's streak of eight straight quality starts ended when he allowed four first-inning runs, but the right-hander retired 18 of the last 20 batters faced with the help of several nice plays behind him to record his ninth win. Only two pitchers in the majors have more victories than Lynn: Jake Odorizzi and Lucas Giolito each have 10. Lynn looks to join the double-digit-win club his next time out Friday on the road against Tampa Bay. With an off day coming Monday, the Rangers could move him up a day to Thursday against Detroit.

Despaigne allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk over three-plus innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Rangers.

The White Sox gave Despaigne a four-run first-inning lead, but he gave it all back in three innings. Nomar Mazara took him deep in the first and third innings to help erase the deficit. After three starts, the journeyman right-hander has a 9.45 ERA but could survive in the rotation for the time being. ''As far as we're concerned, Despaigne's here till he's not,'' White Sox manager Rick Renteria told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. ''Until we find a different option or we decide we need an option. Right now, we'll send him out there and allow him to do his job.'' If Despaigne remains in the rotation, his next turn comes Friday at home against the Twins.

Blackburn is a candidate to start Wednesday against the Cardinals, a game that would have represented Frankie Montas' (suspension) next turn in the rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Blackburn most recently served as the 26th man for a twin bill against the Rangers on June 8, starting the first game and allowing five runs on five hits and three walks across three innings. The 25-year-old has been a mixed bag at Triple-A Las Vegas, as his 5.40 ERA and 1.36 WHIP belie his 6-1 record to an extent. Blackburn has 17 major-league starts overall under his belt, with the bulk of them coming during an impressive 2017 stint where he forged a 3-1 record, 3.22 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 58.2 innings.