MLB Player News

Cole (10-5) allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over 7.1 innings in Friday's loss to the Mariners.

The loss was Cole's third straight, as he fell victim to Houston's inconsistent offense. Normally this team is one of the most potent in the majors; however, since the All-Star break the Astros' .228 batting average ranks 27th and their 77 runs scored are tied for 26th. Injuries have played a role in that: Carlos Correa just returned from a back injury while Jose Altuve (knee) and George Springer (thumb) remain on the disabled list. Cole and the other starters have suffered declining support. In the right-hander's last three starts, spanning 18 innings, he's received four runs of support. Cole will look to break his three-start losing streak Wednesday at home against the Rockies.

Rodon didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 1-0 win over Cleveland, scattering four hits and two walks over eight scoreless innings while striking out five.

The southpaw has now delivered six straight quality starts, and Rodon has posted a 1.27 ERA and 0.96 WHIP during his streak, although his record over that stretch is only 2-0. He'll look to stay locked in Wednesday in Detroit.

Bieber didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 1-0 loss to the White Sox, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings and allowing three hits and two walks while striking out eight.

It was his best performance since he shut down the Tigers for seven innings back on June 22. Bieber sometimes catches too much of the plate for his own good at this stage of his career, but his 39:9 K:BB in 39.1 innings since the beginning of July is excellent. The rookie will take a 4.24 ERA into his next outing Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Snell (13-5) struck out six in five perfect innings in a win over the Blue Jays on Friday.

Snell was pulled after throwing five innings and 47 pitches (33 strikes) as he was making just his second start since coming off the disabled list. Snell ranks second in the AL in ERA (2.18) and batting average against (.184) while sporting an excellent 1.03 WHIP. His next start will come against the Yankees in New York, and it's possible he may still be on a pitch limit.

Bundy allowed eight runs (seven earned) in five innings Friday against the Red Sox but did not factor into the decision. He gave up eight hits (including two home runs) and four walks, striking out just three.

The outing was one of Bundy's poorest of the season (though nothing is likely to beat his seven-run, no-out showing against the Royals back on May 8). He was in trouble from the start, giving up a three-run homer to Xander Bogaerts in the top of the first. He gave up two more runs in the fourth and was removed in the top of the sixth after following up a leadoff homer by Brock Holt with a single and a walk. Bundy has now allowed at least five earned runs in four of his last six outings, posting a 7.71 ERA over that stretch. He'll attempt to right the ship either Wednesday against the Mets or Friday against the Indians.

Eovaldi was lucky to escape with a no-decision Friday against the Orioles after allowing eight runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings. He allowed one homer and didn't strike out a single batter.

It was a surprising change of fortunes for Eovaldi, who threw 15 scoreless innings over his first two starts with the Red Sox. He escaped a jam in the first inning despite allowing three baserunners but was not so lucky in the next two frames, allowing four runs in each, giving up 11 baserunners in total. The fact that all four runs in the third inning followed a Jackie Bradley error prevented the outing from having an even greater effect on Eovaldi's and his fantasy owners' ERAs, but it still caused his ERA to shoot up from 3.38 to 3.74. He'll look to put his poor showing behind him Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Lewicki will move into the Tigers' starting rotation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Lewicki was recalled from the minors earlier this week following the trade of Mike Fiers and made a three-inning appearance as a reliever Wednesday. The Tigers have yet to officially announce his first start, but if he takes Jacob Turner's spot in the rotation -- who is now designated for assignment -- he lines up to pitch against the White Sox on Monday.

Mejia was put on the 10-day disabled list due to a left wrist strain retroactive to Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

The club didn't offer up a timetable for Mejia's return, but the left-hander will be eligible to come back Aug. 18. He suffered the injury during Tuesday's start against Cleveland after tossing only 68 pitches across five one-hit innings. Since the Twins were confident enough that Mejia didn't need to undergo an MRI on the injury, it isn't expected that he will require an extended absence, so look for him to throw a bullpen session next week in order to determine his status.

Sale (shoulder) threw nearly 50 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday and declared he's ready to go Sunday against Baltimore, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Sale was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a mild case of inflammation in his shoulder. The Red Sox were probably looking for a reason to shut him down a bit as the left-hander tired toward the end of last season. From August through the end of the 2017 season, Sale posted a 4.09 ERA.

McCullers' forearm injury was the result of swinging a bat, and not caused by pitching, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After some internal discussions, manager A.J. Hinch informed reporters that McCullers started feeling discomfort after an at-bat while Houston was playing an inter-league game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. McCullers expressed relief to learn that he has a muscle strain and didn't suffer any injury to the ligaments in his elbow.