MLB Player News

Gonzales (8-5) got a complete-game victory against the Royals on Friday, giving up six hits and striking out seven with no walks while allowing one earned run in Seattle's 4-1 victory.

Gonzales was tantalizingly close to making this a shutout, but he surrendered an RBI single to Mike Moustakas in the ninth inning. Even so, it was a phenomenal outing from the 26-year-old left-hander, who is quietly turning in a solid season in Seattle. With this start in the bag, Gonzales now has a 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 87:20 K:BB through 100.1 innings. He has a divisional matchup with the Angels next on the docket July 5.

Berrios (8-6) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs on six hits and four walks over 4.1 innings while striking out two as the Twins fell 10-6 to the Cubs.

Chicago slugged four homers on the day and the right-hander served up two of them, including a sixth-inning grand slam by Addison Russell that put the Cubs ahead for good. It was Berrios' shortest outing since the end of April, but he'll still take a 3.52 ERA into his next start Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Blackburn (2-2) got the win against the Indians on Friday, giving up just three hits over 6.1 scoreless innings, striking out five and walking one as Oakland eventually prevailed 3-1.

His 6.46 ERA is still far from pretty, but that number is a bit skewed thanks to two bad outings where he gave up a combined 14 earned runs. In his other three starts, Blackburn has been solid, yielding just three earned runs with a 12:3 K:BB over 17.1 innings. At this point, it's difficult to say which version of him will show up for a given start, making him an inherently risky fantasy option. He's slated to the take the mound next in a road matchup against this same Indians team July 6.

Cole (9-2) allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts through six innings and took the loss Friday against the Rays.

The only blemish for Cole was a three-run fourth inning created in large part by two errors. With any help from the defense, Cole could have held Tampa Bay to one run and contended for his 10th win. The loss was his first since April 23 against the Angels, a start in which he allowed just two runs on seven innings but the Astros lineup couldn't get him the win. Cole still hasn't allowed more than four runs in a start all season long and will look to get back to his winning ways Thursday against the White Sox.

Bundy (ankle) threw in the outfield Friday as part of his progression toward his scheduled return July 6 in Minnesota, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Everything appears to be on track with Bundy, who hit the disabled list earlier this week after not showing the desired improvement with his sprained left ankle. He has a 2.60 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 55.1 innings over his last eight starts.

Jorge (triceps) was designated for release or assignment by Minnesota, removing him from the 40-man roster.

Jorge only started pitching again this season after missing the first two months with a triceps injury. He's thrown three innings in a rehab assignment for Minnesota's rookie Gulf Coast League team. Jorge will likely accept an assignment to Double-A Chattanooga.

Hamels could be traded prior to the All-Star break, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

According to source, the Rangers have had discussions with the Mariners, Tyler Maher of MLB.com reports. It's not clear if other suitors are involved; however, the Mariners are a good landing spot for Hamels. They are not one of the teams to which he can block a trade, and they have salary cap space below the luxury-tax threshold. Hamels is 4-6 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 16 starts this season. Presumably, his chances of winning games would improve while pitching for the Mariners or any other team with a better run differential than the Rangers' minus-58.

McCullers (9-3) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out seven across seven scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Rays.

McCullers was dominant Thursday and completed seven innings of work for the third time in his past eight outings. Seventeen of his 21 swinging strikes came on his curveball, his third consecutive start in which he has induced double-digit whiffs with the pitch. That offering has been the key to his success this season as in the five starts that he has generated more than 10 swinging strikes with his curveball, he has struck out 42 batters and allowed only nine earned runs across 29.1 innings.

Nicasio picked up his first save of 2018, needing just seven pitches in a perfect 10th inning in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Orioles.

Edwin Diaz had picked up a save in each of the last three days, so he wasn't available for Thursday's contest. Nicasio is now 1-for-5 in save opportunities this season and they should continue coming few and far between with Diaz's dominance. The 31-year-old owns an ugly 6.19 ERA despite a very strong 40:3 K:BB in 32 innings.

Giolito took a no-decision Thursday, yielding one run on four walks and four hits in a 2-1 loss to the Twins. He struck out three batters and allowed a home run.

It wasn't the most impressive line, but it may have been Giolito's best start of the season. He held Minnesota off the scoreboard until Logan Morrison smacked a leadoff homer to start the seventh inning. After a 2.38 ERA in 45.1 innings last season, the former top prospect owns an atrocious 6.59 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 51 walks in 84.2 innings in 2018. Giolito will look to build on the solid outing Tuesday in Cincinnati.