MLB Player News

Montas recorded nine strikeouts and allowed just one earned run on four hits across eight innings against the Rays on Thursday, but he did not factor into the decision.

The right-hander undeniably deserved his 10th win of the season going by his numbers, but the Athletics weren't able to break through for a memorable comeback win until the bottom of the ninth inning. Montas nevertheless continued to delight fantasy owners with another dominant performance, one in which he notched a whopping 17 swinging strikes over his efficient 93 pitches. The 26-year-old has truly hit his stride over his four June starts, not allowing more than two earned runs in any of them while recording at least nine strikeouts in three consecutive outings. Thursday's no-decision snapped a three-start winning streak for Montas, but he still hasn't been hit with a loss since April 29, a span of nine trips to the mound. He'll look to get back on the victory train against the Cardinals either next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Morton didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Athletics and allowed an earned run on four hits and two walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

Morton turned in another trademark effort, but he received precious little run support from the Tampa offense while he was in the game. The veteran right-hander continued to flash his ability to consistently miss bats, notching 14 swinging strikes overall over his 105 pitches. Morton has now gone two straight outings without a victory following a four-appearance winning streak, as he'd suffered his first loss of the season against the Angels his previous time out. He'll look to get back on the right track in a scheduled road turn against the Twins next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Bundy (3-9) pitched 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight in a losing effort against Seattle on Thursday.

Bundy was handed a two-run lead before throwing his first pitch and managed to hold the Mariners to one run through five innings but unraveled by giving up four straight hits and three runs in the sixth. It was the second straight appearance in which Bundy was pulled in the sixth inning following a string of four consecutive hits. On a positive note, the 26-year-old racked up eight strikeouts for the second game in a row, tying a season-high mark that he has now reached five times. Bundy will carry a 4.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 86:27 K:BB into his next start at home against San Diego on Wednesday.

Cortes was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Thursday's game against the Astros.

Cortes picked up the victory in Thursday's contest, but the Yankees have sent him to the minor leagues to make room for the return of Aaron Judge (oblique) from the injured list. Cortes owns a 4.09 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 23 strikeouts over 22 innings this season in the big leagues.

Cortes (2-0) allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one across three innings to earn the win Thursday against the Astros.

Cortes got plenty of run support to earn his second big-league win. He entered the contest following two scoreless innings from Chad Green and remained unscathed through 2.2 innings until surrendering back-to-back homers to Jake Marisnick and Alex Bregman to tarnish his outing. Still, Cortes has displayed decent skills, posting a 4.09 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with a 23:6 K:BB across 22 innings for the season.

Valdez (3-3) allowed five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Yankees.

Valdez ran into trouble through his first innings of work but allowed two home runs in the span of four batters to begin the fourth frame. He was pulled later that inning after issuing his third free pass of the game, which eventually became his fifth earned run. Valdez had been strong in two previous starts, allowing only three earned runs with 15 strikeouts across 13 innings entering Thursday's outing. He'll look to get back on track in his next start and will draw a favorable matchup Wednesday against Pittsburgh.

Suarez allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings Thursday against the Blue Jays. He didn't factor into the decision.

Suarez's outing didn't get off to a good start, as he yielded three runs in the first inning, following by another in the fourth and one run in the fifth on a solo blast. The 21-year-old southpaw is currently filling in for Trevor Cahill (elbow), though he simply wasn't able to get the job done Thursday evening. Suarez sits with a 5.57 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 19 strikeouts across 21 innings this season.

Means (shoulder) said he expected to miss just one start while on the injured list, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Means landed on the injured list Thursday with a strained left shoulder, though he downplayed the severity of the injury, describing it as minor tightness while noting that he pitched through a similar issue in college. Means could rejoin Baltimore's rotation after a brief stay on the injured list. Prior to getting hurt, Means compiled a 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB in 70.2 innings.

Clevinger (ankle) is expected to land on the 10-day injured list, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Clevinger suffered an ankle injury in his first start back from the injured list Monday, and it turns out the issue is serious enough to force the right-hander to miss at least one turn through the rotation. The Indians have yet to announce who will replace Clevinger in the rotation Saturday, though Aaron Civale is a candidate.

Bieber (6-3) allowed two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and no walks across six innings while taking the loss against the Rangers on Thursday.

After giving up two runs in the first inning, Bieber only yielded two hits in the next five frames. He also struck out seven in his last four frames, but the two runs proved enough to beat him. The loss snaps a streak of four wins in his last four decisions. Bieber is 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 116 strikeouts in 91 innings this season. His next outing will be Tuesday at home against the Royals.