MLB Player News

Gausman turned in his best start of the year Sunday, tossing seven shutout innings while striking out nine to pick up the win against the Rays. He allowed two hits and walked two.

This was only the second time this season that he has managed to log seven innings, and the nine strikeouts tied a season high. He now boasts a 13.2-inning scoreless streak, and his 5.61 ERA is the lowest it has been since April 13. His next start will be Friday in Minnesota. If he was dropped in a deeper league, it might be worth seeing if he has actually figured something out over his past couple outings.

Blackburn will remain in Oakland's rotation going forward, and he will start Thursday in Seattle, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

He delivered six strong innings with one unearned run and four strikeouts in his big-league debut Saturday against the Braves, which was enough for him to hold on to a spot in the rotation, even with Jharel Cotton returning from a blister. Jesse Hahn was sent to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Blackburn. While Blackburn's first start was encouraging, he profiles as more of a back-end starter or swing man long-term.

Morton (lat) tossed 4.1 one-hit innings while striking out five and walking two Sunday in what could be his final rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi before rejoining the big-league rotation.

He threw 74 pitches (50 strikes) and is expected to rejoin the Astros' rotation on July 8 in Toronto. Prior to suffering the injury, Morton was putting together arguably his best fantasy campaign to date, as his 25.8 percent strikeout rate was well above his 16.6 percent career mark, and his 4.06 ERA was quite palatable in today's pitching landscape.

Asher was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

After being tagged for five runs on four hits and two walks over 1.2 innings Saturday against the Rays to bring his ERA up to 5.53 for the season, Asher will head back to the minors with the hope of finding his form. According to Encina, Asher will work as a starter with Norfolk, leaving open the possibility that he could rejoin the Orioles as a swingman at some point later this season. Jimmy Yacabonis was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Nolasco (4-9) was masterful in a complete-game shutout against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing just three hits and striking out seven without allowing a walk.

Nolasco has completely turned it around over his past two starts, not allowing a run over his last 16.1 innings on the mound while racking up 13 strikeouts in that span. It's a far cry from some of his earlier performances, in which he posted seven consecutive losing decisions and saw his ERA balloon to 5.23 on the season. Saturday was his first complete game since August 2016, and the right-hander has obvious fantasy potential if he can continue this current trend, though his 5.72 FIP suggests a possible regression.

Hammel (4-7) allowed seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits and two walks while striking out five batters through 5.1 innings during Saturday's loss to Minnesota.

This was a disappointing outing for Hammel, as he appeared to be trending in the right direction with three wins, a 2.51 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 7.0 K/9 over his prior five starts. That encouraging stretch also featured outings against Cleveland, Houston and Boston, so don't overreact too much to Saturday's poor showing. On the other hand, Hammel also owns a discouraging 5.08 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.1 K/9 for the season, so expectations should remain in check. He also lines up for a daunting road start against the Dodgers next.

Carrasco (9-3) allowed just a single run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters over seven innings in Saturday's win over Detroit.

This was a reassuring rebound following Monday's rough outing against Texas on the road. Carrasco has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of 16 starts this season and sports a high-end 3.50 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 for the year. He lines up to face the Tigers in a repeat matchup at Progressive Field in his next start.

Jorge gave up three runs and seven hits over five innings with two strikeouts and one walk in Saturday's win over Kansas City in the second game of a doubleheader. Jorge became the first Twins pitcher to earn a win in his big league debut since 2013, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Jorge gave up a two-run home run in the first inning but then settled down. It wasn't a great performance but may be enough to give him another shot at the rotation. He may be sent down shortly as he was called up for the doubleheader. With the Twins desperate for any production at the back end of their rotation, Jorge could be called back up soon.

Montgomery allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings during Saturday's loss to Houston. He didn't factor into the decision.

This was another solid outing from the rookie, as Montgomery put the Yankees in line for the win. He's now allowed just 14 earned runs with 46 strikeouts through 47.2 innings over his past eight starts. Additionally, with a potent offense providing run support, the 24-year-old lefty should be able to continue moving the fantasy needle. Montgomery takes a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 into his next start against Milwaukee at Yankee Stadium, and his fantasy arrow continues to point up.

Boyd was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Boyd was brought up as the 26th man to start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, but will head back to Toledo following a rough afternoon. The young southpaw gave up four runs on seven hits over just 3.2 innings, raising his ERA to 5.69 on the season. Regardless, look for Boyd to be a top option if the Tigers need an extra arm down the road.