MLB Player News

Kluber allowed one run on three hits while striking out eight over five innings of a no-decision Sunday against the Tigers. He also walked three.

Kluber's run of double-digit strikeouts is officially over, as he failed to fan 10 or more batters for the first time in six starts. His early departure was likely due to a high pitch count (101, 40 of which were balls), and had he had better command of the zone, odds are he would have racked up a couple additional K's. Nevertheless, Kluber will bring a 7-3 record, 0.99 WHIP and 2.80 ERA with him to the All-Star Game in Miami this week.

Rodon (1-2) allowed six runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings during Sunday's loss to Colorado.

The lefty had fared well through his first two starts of the season, so it's probably best not to overreact to a poor showing at Coors Field. Rodon has oodles of upside after posting a respectable 3.90 ERA and 9.1 K/9 through his first two seasons in the league. However, it's worth noting that the White Sox are in the midst of a rebuild, so Rodon could struggle to accumulate wins in the second half.

Although a post All-Star rotation hasn't been made official, manager Buck Showalter expects Miley to start Saturday against the Cubs, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Miley's first half was a tale of two worlds, as he maintained a 2.82 ERA through 11 games, then imploded for a 9.64 mark in his last seven starts. Drawing the World Series champions in the first game back from break is not ideal, but Miley has had success against some good lineups this year.

Although an official rotation hasn't been set, manager Buck Showalter expects Gausman to start Friday's second-half opener against the Cubs, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Gausman has been downright awful this season, owning career-worst numbers across the board, including a 5.85 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 19 starts. Regardless, Showalter will start the second half of 2017 just the way he began the year, with Gausman on the hill. The Opening Day starter won't have an easy assignment against the defending champs as the righty looks to turn his season around.

Hammel will take the mound Friday against Texas in the first game back from the All-Star break, The Associated Press reports.

His 4-8 record and 5.04 ERA don't exactly scream success, but outside of a July 1 implosion against Minnesota, the veteran has been strong since leaving May with a 6.18 ERA. The right-hander has logged quality starts in five of his last seven outings -- he'd managed just three in his first 10 games. Furthermore, Hammel owns a strong 37:9 K:BB over his last 43.2 innings. That's not to say jump aboard the train, but the 34-year-old isn't a bad option Friday against a Rangers club with the AL's second-worst team batting average (.240) through the first half.

Gibson (5-7) allowed seven runs on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout over four innings in Sunday's loss to Baltimore.

Gibson still hasn't pitched seven innings in a game this season while allowing three or more earned runs in 11 of 16 starts. The high-powered Astros lineup should have a field day against him next Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Darvish (6-8) allowed two runs on three hits over 7.1 innings in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Angels. He walked four and struck out six.

Darvish pitched well enough to win, but the Texas offense mustered just two hits off JC Ramirez and the Los Angeles bullpen. The All-Star break comes at the perfect time for the Japanese right-hander, who's 0-4 in his past five starts. He'll look to get back on track next Sunday against a Royals team that's scoring the sixth-fewest runs per game in MLB.

Ramirez (8-7) allowed two hits and five walks with two strikeouts over six shutout innings in Sunday's 3-0 win over Texas.

Ramirez's command problems prevented him from working deeper into the game, but he and a trio of relievers still combined for a two-hit shutout. While the season-high walk total was troubling, this performance was still a welcome turnaround after the right-hander allowed 15 runs in 19.2 innings over his previous four starts. Ramirez's first appearance after the All-Star break is scheduled for next Sunday against the Rays.

Keuchel (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday and will require one or two minor-league rehab starts before rejoining the Astros' rotation, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch reported that Keuchel would begin his minor-league rehab assignment following the All-Star break. Based on the estimate, it appears Keuchel is on track to rejoin the Astros' rotation during late July.

Verlander (5-6) gave up one run on six hits and four walks while striking out six over 6.2 innings in Saturday's loss to the Indians. Two of the walks were intentional.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Verlander, who allowed seven runs over 3.1 innings against this same club his last time out, but his offense couldn't get anything going against Mike Clevinger and company. While Verlander finishes the first half with a 4.73 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 104.2 innings, he does have three quality starts in his last five turns. The 34-year-old is already the subject of trade rumors and those figure to only grow louder as the deadline approaches, though it's believed the Tigers' asking price is very high.