MLB Player News

Musgrove said he felt more comfortable with his mechanics during his start Wednesday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Musgrove, who had been demoted to Triple-A Fresno after posting a 6.01 ERA in the majors, made a spot start for Houston on Wednesday. While at Fresno, the 6-foot-5 right-hander examined his delivery and took steps to fix it. Musgrove had been feeling pain in his right hip when he loaded on his right side before pushing off the rubber toward home plate. His hesitance to load sapped his velocity and derailed his command. He worked with the Fresno staff to find an easier way to load and the results have been hopeful. His velocity Wednesday averaged 93 mph and topped out at 95. That's all good news for Musgrove, but it's unknown if he'll re-enter the Astros' rotation permanently. With Dallas Keuchel (neck) and Collin McHugh (elbow) expected to rejoin the starting staff following the All-Star break, there may not be room for Musgrove.

Blackburn (1-0) allowed a single run on eight hits and a walk over 7.2 innings during Thursday's win over Seattle. He didn't record a strikeout.

Blackburn has now allowed just two runs -- only one earned -- through 13.2 innings over his first two outings in the majors. It's an impressive start, but with just four strikeouts (2.6 K/9), he's lacking a key ingredient to being a strong fantasy asset. Additionally, his 4.39 FIP through 15 games with Triple-A Sacramento suggests he's likely to have rougher times ahead. His long-term upside is also in question.

Berrios (8-2) allowed four runs -- three earned -- over 6.0 innings Thursday against the Orioles but still managed to notch his eighth win of the season. He struck out four batters while issuing no walks over 101 pitches.

Although Berrios wasn't at his sharpest Thursday, he was still effective in limiting damage. He got into a bases-loaded jam in the third inning before inducing a groundout from Mark Trumbo to escape without giving up a run in the frame. This was an encouraging start for Berrios entering the break after being tagged for five earned runs on three home runs in his last outing against Kansas City. He figures to make his first start out of the break in the Twins' opening series against the Astros on the road.

Bundy (8-8) took the loss Thursday against the Twins, allowing six earned runs over 5.0 innings. He gave up five hits and two walks and added four strikeouts.

Bundy cruised through the first two innings on just 25 pitches before running into major trouble in the third. The Twins batted around on him in that inning and scratched across all six of their runs in the frame to to give them a lead they would not relinquish. Although Bundy got a bit unlucky with some defensive issues behind him in the third, he still gave up some hard contact throughout what would be the decisive inning. Bundy's ERA now sits at 4.33 entering the All-Star break after notching a 2.89 mark through the first two months of the season. He's gone 5.0 innings or less in four of his last five outings, so the upcoming extended rest entering second half is a welcome sight.

Sale (11-4) allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out 12 batters through seven innings during Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Sale really could have used more run support Thursday, as the Red Sox only scored once. It's obviously a solid fantasy return whenever a hurler adds 12 punchouts to their total, and it's also difficult to complain about Sale's elite first half: 11 wins, 2.75 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 12.6 K/9. This was also just the third time through 18 starts that the lefty has allowed more than three runs. Sale is a candidate to start the All-Star game, so when he'll toe the rubber for Boston next is unknown.

McCullers (7-2) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits and two walks while striking out just three batters through 4.1 innings during Thursday's loss to Toronto.

McCullers was in cruise control through four frames allowing just a single run, but the Blue Jays scored five times in the fifth, and McCullers was pulled. It was just the second time all season he's allowed more than three runs, and he sports a high-end 3.05 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 for the campaign. The 23-year-old righty will look to rebound against the Twins at Minute Maid Park in his next start following the All-Star break.

Rodriguez (knee) will make one final rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

There was some speculation that the southpaw would be activated before the All-Star break in order to provide bullpen help, but the Red Sox will instead keep him on his rehab assignment and on track to rejoin the rotation after the break. Barring any extraneous circumstances, Rodriguez would likely be in line to start one of the Red Sox's first games out of the break against the Yankees.

Bridwell was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Bridwell stifled the Twins on Wednesday evening, but now that he's unavailable to pitch for a few days, he'll shuttle back to the minors to make room for fresh arms. He won't be eligible to return to the big leagues for 10 days, but this performance very well could have him back in Los Angeles at the earliest date possible if the Halos need another hurler at that point.

Darvish is listed as the Rangers' scheduled starter for Sunday's game against the Angels, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rather than turning to Martin Perez for two starts this week after he was activated from 10-day disabled list ahead of Monday's outing, the Rangers will instead have Darvish make a second turn in the rotation before the team heads into the All-Star break. The Sunday assignment means that Darvish, who was lit up for seven runs in 4.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, will likely have to opt out of pitching for the American League in the All-Star Game on July 11, as he would only have one day to recover.

Bridwell (3-1) held the Twins scoreless for six innings in Wednesday's 2-1 win, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out five.

It was a strong rebound effort from Bridwell after he got roughed up by the Mariners in his previous outing. The 25-year-old has now given the Angels three quality starts in five turns through the rotation, but his 19:10 K:BB in 33.1 innings and 1.9 HR/9 suggest his 3.24 ERA isn't sustainable.