MLB Player News

Rodon (1-3) allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Rangers.

Rodon didn't help himself in this start, as he allowed two solo home runs and also walked two batters in the fourth inning, both of which came around to score. While his results weren't horrible prior to Saturday's start, several troubling trends have emerged through five starts for him, most notable of which is his 1.8 HR/9 mark. He has also uncharacteristically struggled to record strikeouts, as 6.7 K/9 is over two strikeouts fewer than his career baseline.

Gonzales, who's already tossed 100.1 frames across 17 starts this season, may have his innings managed in the second half of the season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

While manager Scott Servais wouldn't commit to any type of innings limit on Gonzales, he did acknowledge that there's a possibility the team will deploy a six-man rotation in August. That would allow Gonzales -- as well as veterans such as Felix Hernandez and Mike Leake -- to go longer between starts during the season's stretch run. The main reason for discussions concerning limiting Gonzales' workload is due to the fact that he's in the midst of his first full season following 2016 Tommy John surgery, and because he's already close to exceeding the 126.1 frames he worked between the minors and the Mariners in 2017. Christian Bergman, who's currently in Triple-A Tacoma, and long reliever Roenis Elias are two candidates to fill in at the back end of the rotation later this summer if necessary.

Gray (5-6) took the loss Saturday against Boston, lasting only 2.1 innings and giving up six runs on seven hits and two walks. He didn't record a strikeout.

A Rafael Devers first-inning grand slam accounted for most of the damage, and Gray labored with 68 pitches in the abbreviated appearance. Gray now owns the dubious record of the worst home ERA (7.10) of any Yankees starter (minimum 13 starts), per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch via Baseball Reference. Safe to say in his rough season (5.44 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 4.0 BB/9 in 82.2 frames) that he should be avoided for his Bronx assignments whenever possible. At least he's on the road for his scheduled Friday turn against the Blue Jays, but he remains a boom-or-bust fantasy asset.

Sale (8-4) struck out 11 and earned the win against the Yankees on Saturday with seven scoreless innings, during which he allowed just one hit and one walk.

The southpaw hit Aaron Hicks and allowed a single to Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning -- and that was all New York could scrape together against him. Sale has notched double-digit strikeouts in four of his last five starts and fell just one short in the fifth, and the Cy Young candidate has walked just one in five of his past six. The fantasy ace's 2018 line was already absurd before this gem took him to a 2.41 ERA, 12.7 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 across 116 frames. He'll take this show to its next stop in Kansas City on Friday.

Nuno (2-0) struck out four and recorded the win in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Astros, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in 4.2 innings of relief.

Taking over from starter Ryne Stanek to begin the second inning, the left-hander fired 50 of 66 pitches for strikes, and only the red-hot Alex Bregman was able to do any damage against him with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Nuno now has a 1.64 ERA on the season but an even more impressive 1.13 ERA and 12:2 K:BB through 16 innings and four appearances since moving into one of the regular long-relief slots on the Rays' staff.

Verlander (9-4) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings while striking out eight as the Astros fell 5-2 to the Rays.

It was his worst start in an Astros uniform since joining the team at last year's trade deadline, with the five-inning stint being his shortest of the season to date. Verlander will still carry an exceptional 2.12 ERA into his next outing Friday at home against the White Sox.

Carrasco (elbow) threw four scoreless innings for Double-A Akron on Saturday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four, and he probably will rejoin Cleveland's rotation for his next start, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona likely will confirm Carrasco's next steps Sunday, but it doesn't look like Cookie will need another minor-league tuneup. Expect his activation to happen in time for a Friday home assignment against the Athletics.

Boyd struck out seven and walked two against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits -- including a home run -- over six innings. He did not factor into the decision.

Boyd didn't allow any hits through four innings but started to fall apart in the fifth, allowing a double, a single and a homer. He got out of the sixth to earn his quality start but was matched by the Jays' Sam Gaviglio, so neither pitcher earned a decision. Boyd's performance wasn't a dominant one, but it was a step in the right direction after he allowed 11 runs in seven innings over his last two starts. He'll next take the mound Thursday against the Rangers.

Stroman (1-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out four in a 3-2 victory over the Tigers.

It's his second quality start of the year and second straight solid performance since coming off the disabled list. Stroman threw 65 of 90 pitches for strikes in finally collecting his first win of the season, but he's still saddled with a 6.20 ERA heading into his next start Wednesday at home against the Mets.

Rodriguez (9-3) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 8-1 to the Yankees. He struck out two and gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings.

The left-hander struggled through his second straight poor performance, throwing 55 of 95 pitches for strikes and serving up two of the Yankees' four homers on the night, and Rodriguez's ERA has crept up over half a run to 4.11 over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around Wednesday on the road against the Nationals.