MLB Player News

Sale struck out 11 over seven innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in a no-decision against the Twins.

Sale attacked hitters from the start, throwing first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 26 batters he faced en route to notching double-digit strikeouts for the fifth time this year. The 29-year-old is sporting a terrific 12.5 K/9 on the year, though the high-powered Boston offense hasn't given the lefty ace much to work with recently. The team has lost four of his last five outings (1-3 personally in that span) with just 11 total runs worth of support over that stretch. He'll take a 2.74 ERA into Sunday's start against the Mariners.

Verlander did not factor into the decision Tuesday, striking out 10 over 6.2 innings while allowing one run on six hits and a walk against the Rays.

Verlander was incredibly sharp all night, inducing 24 swinging strikes and throwing 87 of his season-high 122 pitches for strikes. The lone mistake came in the second inning when C.J. Cron served a fastball into the seats in left for a solo blast -- the fourth homer he's allowed in the last three starts. Recent long ball issues aside, Verlander has been dominant all year long, tossing quality starts in all but one of his 16 turns. He'll sport a pristine 1.60 ERA heading into Monday's start against the Blue Jays.

Snell (9-4) got the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and seven walks while striking out six over seven innings against the Astros.

Snell wasn't at his sharpest with a season-high seven walks and only just over half of his pitches going for strikes (57 of 102), but he allowed just three singles and was helped out by his defense with a couple of double plays and another out on the basepaths when Alex Bregman attempted to stretch a single into a double. The lefty's nine wins trail only Corey Kluber and Luis Severino in the AL, and he now sports a sterling 2.48 ERA. He's struggled with command a bit of late with a 15:13 K:BB in 18 innings over his last three starts, but on the year he's now at 9.8 K/9. Next up is a home date with the Nationals on Monday.

Hammel (2-8) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings against the Rangers.

Hammel wasn't able to fool Texas hitters, inducing just five swings and misses en route to walking a season-high four. The 35-year-old seemed to be turning a corner of late with a 2.56 ERA over his previous five starts entering Tuesday, so the nine-hit, four-run showing was a bit of a setback. He now sports a 4.98 and 59:25 K:BB over 90.1 innings heading into Monday's makeup game against the Angels.

Boyd (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Reds, allowing five earned runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Boyd was sharp in the first two innings, but he started off the third by allowing two walks and a single to load the bases. Cincinnati slugger Joey Votto then cleared the bases with a grand slam, which was the big blow of the evening against Boyd. The five earned runs are the most allowed this season by the 27-year-old lefty. Boyd will still take a solid 3.63 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled for Monday against the Athletics.

Hamels (4-6) got the win Tuesday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over seven innings against the Royals.

Hamels struggled a bit with command in this one, walking three batters and throwing two wild pitches but he was otherwise able to stifle the Kansas City bats all night. The lefty didn't allow an extra-base hit and grabbed a quality start for the sixth time in eight starts since the beginning of May. The 34-year-old now has 92 strikeouts in 92.1 innings on the year and will take a 3.41 ERA into a home tilt against the Padres on Monday.

German (2-4) earned the win against the Mariners on Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits across seven innings. He walked none and recorded nine strikeouts.

German followed up his 10-strikeout performance last week with another gem Tuesday, completely stifling the Mariners' bats and throwing 67 of 96 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old now has a 4.77 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 72 strikeouts over 60.1 innings, and is next expected to start Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Gonzales (7-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing six runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Gonzales gave up home runs to Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks as he allowed more than three runs for the first time in his last six starts, and allowed more than four runs for the first time in 2018. The 26-year-old has a 3.80 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 74:20 K:BB across 85.1 innings, and lines up for another tough matchup Sunday against the Red Sox.

The Rangers traded McGuire to the Angels for cash considerations or a player-to-be-named Tuesday.

McGuire was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday and now heads to his third organization since being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on June 9. The 28-year-old will report to Triple-A Salt Lake, a level where he has a 4.08 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 46.1 innings this season.

Whitley fanned seven hitters and allowed two hits and one walk across four scoreless frames for Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday.

The Astros' top prospect has yet to allow a run while striking out 18 through 12 innings since reporting to the Texas League affiliate earlier this month after completing a 50-game suspension. Whitley's pedigree and stellar age-to-level production suggest he might already be a capable big-league starter, but the Astros' considerable rotation depth makes it most likely that he debuts with the big club out of the bullpen at some point in the second half. The delayed start to Whitley's season could actually enhance his opportunity to make an impact for the Astros, as his limited workload to date shouldn't subject him to the stricter innings caps 20-year-old pitchers would normally face down the stretch.