MLB Player News

Quintana (5-8) lost his seventh straight decision Tuesday against the Twins. He pitched seven innings, allowing four runs, six hits and one walk while striking out eight.

On paper, Tuesday appeared like the night Quintana would turn it around. However, Twins second baseman Brian Dozier had a different plan and crushed two homers off the 27-year-old, a solo shot off a fastball in the second and a three-run drive off a curveball in the sixth. After allowing just two home runs in his first 12 starts, the left-hander has now dealt six of them over his last four outings. The damage inflated Quintana's ERA to a season-high 3.18.

Kluber (8-7) limited the Braves to two runs on three hits over eight innings in Tuesday's win. He walked one and struck out seven.

For the first time this season, Kluber went eight-plus innings in back-to-back starts. In five June starts, he finished 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA and 37:7 K:BB. Kluber lowed his WHIP to an AL-best 0.98 while moving into second for strikeouts (110) and innings pitched (110.2) among AL starters. The former Cy Young winner is back to his winning ways after a slow start to the 2016 campaign, and the ceiling is high considering the Indians have surprisingly become the hottest team in baseball, having outscored opponents 73-25 during their 11-game winning streak.

Kaprielian (elbow) had an MRI on Tuesday which revealed a flexor tendon strain of the right elbow, Mark Feinsand of NY Daily News reports.

Kaprielian will be evaluated again in the next week after suffering this injury in late April. The 22-year-old hasn't pitched since April 21, but had touted a 1.50 ERA with a 0.61 WHIP with 21 strikeouts during 18 innings of work prior to landing on the disabled list. The Yankees prospect is expected to return in mid-July, yet could spend even more time out based on how his evaluation with Dr. Neal ElAttrache goes next week.

Worley (groin) pitched in another rehab game at High-A Frederick on Tuesday, and said he is ready to return to the Orioles, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Worley was placed on the 15-day DL on June 14 with a right groin strain, but could be back to the team as early as Friday. He pitched in an earlier rehab stint Saturday, allowing one earned run on five hits during 1.2 innings of work, but said that it went well Tuesday as he was able to sequence pitches and locate better than his previous outing. Before going down with the injury, Worley had posted a 2.66 ERA with a 33:13 K:BB ration in 40.2 innings with the Orioles this season.

McCullers (hand) will return to the rotation Monday against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch did not use the words "expected" or "likely" when discussing the situation, which suggests the team has very little doubt McCullers will be able to take the hill Monday after missing one turn. McCullers was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday due to a blister and was replaced by Scott Feldman.

Hill (groin) said that he will be starting Saturday against the Pirates, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Hill has been out since May 29 with a groin injury, but will be making his return Saturday after missing a month of action. He was pitching well before going on the DL, posting a 2.25 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP during 64 innings of work this season. Hill made a rehab start with High-A Stockton on Monday, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out six in three innings.

Walker (foot) threw a 40-pitch bullpen Tuesday in anticipation for his start Thursday against the Orioles, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Walker is expected to get the start Thursday after being diagnosed with tendinitis in his right foot one week ago. He was subsequently scratched from his scheduled start Friday, but avoided the DL and is in line to take the hill against Baltimore. The 23-year-old has posted a 3.45 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP during 75.2 innings on the mound this season.

Darvish (shoulder) is not expected to return to the Rangers before the All-Star break, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Although Darvish is reportedly progressing well in his rehab and could be getting close to throwing a simulated game, the Rangers will not hurry their ace back to the mound before he's fully healthy. The Rangers have been able to fare well in Darvish's absence, going 8-2 in their last 10 games to take a 10-game league in the division, which affords them the luxury of being patient with Darvish. Texas figures to keep using a rotation of Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, A.J. Griffin, Cesar Ramos, and Nick Martinez while Darvish is on the shelf.

Rodriguez is expected to make several starts in Triple-A, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

After Monday night's 2.2 inning, 9-run implosion and subsequent demotion to Triple-A, manager John Farrell stated that he intends for Rodriguez to make several starts in the minors and that "adjustments are necessary". Rodriguez had struggled mightily before Monday's debacle as well, making only one quality start in five tries and giving up 19 earned runs (6.41 ERA) in the process. He'll head to Triple-A Pawtucket now to try to regain his form.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

The move comes as little surprise after Rodriguez surrendered nine earned runs over 2.2 innings in a loss to the Rays on Monday. The left-hander has been wildly inconsistent through six starts this season, compiling a 1-3 record and an 8.59 ERA. He'll hope to fix his mechanics in the minors and return to his 2015 form. A corresponding move has not yet been announced.