MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Gil (lat) is on track to return in late July or early August, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Gil threw live batting practice Saturday for the first time since sustaining a preseason lat injury, and Boone offered more insight into Gil's recovery timeline afterward. Boone said the Yankees are considering Gil the equivalent of a trade deadline acquisition, as the right-hander is expected to return near the July 31 deadline. Gil may throw live BP once or twice more before being sent off on a rehab assignment.

Crawford (knee/wrist) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

This was the second such session this week for Crawford, who's had multiple setbacks in attempting to go on a rehab assignment. It's unclear what the next steps are for the right-hander. The report estimates a return date in July or August.

Matthews (shoulder) started playing catch Friday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Matthews was diagnosed with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder June 8 and was shut down from throwing for two weeks. He'll need to progress to throwing bullpen sessions before a clearer timeframe for his return comes into focus.

Lorenzen came away with a no-decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Padres, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander left the mound after 89 pitches (60 strikes) with the Royals ahead 4-2, but Lucas Erceg coughed up the lead in the seventh inning to deny Lorenzen his fifth win. Lorenzen's control has been shaky of late, and he's issued multiple free passes in four of his last five starts, posting a brutal 7.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB in 25 innings over that span. He'll try to tighten things up in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Rays.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Astros, giving up two runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

The southpaw looked like he was headed for a disastrous outing when Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes launched back-to-back homers to lead off the game, but Kikuchi kept his focus and shut the door on Houston until exiting the mound after 103 pitches (69 strikes), including 33 called or swinging strikes. The quality start was his seventh of the season, and he'll take a 3.01 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 87:43 K:BB through 89.2 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Red Sox.

Rocker is slated to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park.

The Rangers recalled Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock last weekend to make a start against the White Sox, and though he battled persistent cramping in his legs throughout the afternoon, he emerged from the outing with a win after striking out six batters over five shutout innings. With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (shoulder) not yet ready to return from the injured list, Rocker will make his second turn through the rotation Saturday.

Brown came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Angels, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Brown nearly fell apart in the third inning -- the right-hander plunked Zach Neto with a pitch with one on, and after the two got into a shouting match that sparked both benches to empty, Brown walked Mike Trout to load the bases before escaping the jam by coaxing a grounder from Taylor Ward. A solo shot by Jo Adell in the fourth inning ended up accounting for the only damage off Brown, but the shaky third ran up his pitch count and he was lifted after 87 pitches (48 strikes). He's given up two runs or fewer in five straight outings, posting a 1.53 ERRA, 0.95 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB over 29.1 innings during that stretch. He'll look for his first win since June 1 in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Phillies.

Ryan (7-3) took the loss Friday against the Brewers, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

It was a rather pedestrian effort overall from Ryan, but he did fan at least seven for the seventh time this year. Ryan has done an excellent job of limiting hits, as he's allowed five or fewer on 13 occasions among his 15 outings, but he's now walked multiple batters in four straight appearances and five of his last six. Over his last 10 outings (58.1 frames), Ryan owns a strong 2.62 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 68:17 K:BB, and he next projects to face the Mariners at home.

Baz (7-3) earned the win against the Tigers on Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six across 5.1 innings.

Baz kept the Tigers off the board through the first two frames before yielding a three-run homer to Riley Greene in the third. Baz was tagged for two more runs in the sixth after being lifted, but he got enough run support to come away with his second straight win. Baz's 4.79 ERA (across 82.2 innings) is seventh highest among qualified starters in the American League this season, but his seven wins are tied for sixth in the AL. He'll look to make it three wins in a row in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Royals.

Flaherty (5-8) took the loss against the Rays on Friday, allowing eight runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings.

It was another rough outing for Flaherty, who gave up four runs in the first inning before being tagged for four more in the third. He has yielded 15 earned runs over his last two outings, which overshadows the four consecutive quality starts that he logged prior to his recent struggles. Flaherty is projected to make his next start against the Athletics at home next week.