MLB Player News

Kikuchi allowed one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings Thursday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Kikuchi worked out of jams regularly as he allowed multiple baserunners in four of the five innings he pitched but managed to allow just one run to cross the plate. His best work came after he loaded the bases in the second frame, as he struck out two batters prior to forcing a groundout to escape the inning without surrendering a run. While the performance wasn't overwhelmingly strong, it was a big improvement from his past three outings, across which he allowed 16 earned runs in 10 innings. He'll look to maintain the improvement in his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday against Kansas City.

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

Kendrys Morales (calf) was sent to the injured list in a corresponding move, allowing Cortes to rejoin the Yankees just three days after being optioned to Triple-A. The right-hander has made five appearances out of the bullpen for the Yankees this season, compiling a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB in 14 innings of work.

Chirinos recorded seven strikeouts and allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk across six innings during a no-decision against the Athletics on Wednesday.

The Athletics had traffic most of the night, but they only scored against Chirinos on an infield single and solo homer. The Rays didn't give Chirinos much run support, but they did score twice in the seventh to tie the game and get him off the hook. Chirinos is 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 75 innings this season. His next scheduled start is on the road against the Yankees on Monday.

Verlander compiled 15 strikeouts and allowed three runs on four hits and no walks through seven innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Wednesday.

It's hard to be more dominant than Verlander was in this one, forcing 29 swinging strikes in the quality start. The odd part of the stat line comes from three solo home runs that put a small damper on an otherwise spectacular performance. The 36-year-old can give up the long ball on occasion as evidenced by a 1.5 HR/9, but he's having another stellar campaign with a 9-2 record, a 2.50 ERA and an 11.2 K/9. Verlander will look to keep rolling in his next start Tuesday against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Milone gave up three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six through six innings of relief work against the Twins on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.

After Gerson Bautista pitched 1.1 innings to open the game, Milone cruised through the next five innings before running into trouble in the eighth by allowing two runs. The Mariners have used an opener in front of Milone with success in his last two appearances, as the veteran southpaw owns a 3.24 ERA and a 7:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings in that pair of outings.

Berrios gave up one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out six through 6.2 innings in a no-decision against the Mariners on Wednesday.

Berrios was hittable and gave up a solo home run, but he continuously worked his way out of trouble and forced 14 swinging strikes in the quality start. He also limited the hard contact with an average exit velocity of 84 MPH. The 25-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.01 ERA and an 8.4 K/9 through 14 starts this season. Berrios will take on the Red Sox in his next start Monday at Target Field.

Lynn allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings in Wednesday's no-decision at Boston.

Lynn authored his seventh straight quality start, posting a 3.18 ERA while striking out 57 over 45.1 innings during that stretch. The burly right-hander is tied for eighth in the AL with 93 strikeouts and carries his quality-start streak into his next scheduled outing Monday at home against Cleveland.

Eovaldi's biceps setback during his recovery from elbow surgery isn't viewed as a long-term issue according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Eovaldi was shut down from throwing Sunday and has not yet been cleared to resume as of Wednesday, but it doesn't sound as though the issue is expected to keep him out for an extended period. Dombrowski did say that "it's longer than we'd like," so the setback will certainly have an effect on his return timeline. However, it appears likely the problem may not be as bad as first feared.

Smyly (ankle) will head to the bullpen but won't be placed on the 10-day injured list, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Previous reports broke the news that Smyly would lose his next start, raising speculation that the ankle sprain which had been bothering him would send him to the injured list. That does not appear to be in the team's plans for now. The Rangers will go with a bullpen day for Smyly's next turn in the rotation Friday against the Reds, though his long-term replacement hasn't been announced.

Despaigne is listed as the White Sox's probable starter for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Despaigne was called up from Triple-A Charlotte to make his White Sox debut Monday, limiting the Nationals to three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings to take the loss. The performance was apparently good enough for the White Sox to reward him with another turn through the rotation, but Despaigne could struggle to deliver another quality start while matching up with a high-powered Yankees offense.