MLB Player News

Baz completed 5.1 innings against Boston on Monday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision.

Baz was excellent through four innings, giving up zero runs and allowing just three baserunners. The right-hander was struck by a 111.2 mph comebacker off the bat of Roman Anthony in the bottom of the fourth however, and he then gave up a run in the fifth. Baz still entered the sixth frame in line for a victory, but he allowed the first two batters he faced in that inning to reach base (on a walk and a hit-by-pitch), and both came around to score after his departure. He's been mediocre but consistent in his past three outings, giving up exactly three runs while completing between 5.0 and 5.2 frames in each start. Baz's numbers on the campaign -- including a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP -- are also mediocre, though he's managed to compile a 5-3 record. He'll look to improve upon that mark in his next start, which lines up to be a tough road test against the Mets.

Springs (5-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over six innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Angels.

Springs worked behind an opener for the second outing in a row, and the results have been mixed at best. He's allowed eight runs (six earned) over 12.2 innings in that span, though he also has a 15:2 K:BB across those two bulk-relief appearances. He's gone winless in five straight outings and now has a 4.64 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 64:31 K:BB through 73.2 innings over 14 appearances (12 starts) this season. Springs is tentatively scheduled for a road outing versus the Royals in his next appearance, though it's not yet clear whether he'll operate as a starter or follow an opener once again.

Kikuchi (2-5) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over 7.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Monday.

Kikuchi retired the first 13 batters he faced. While he allowed both baserunners in the fifth inning, he was able to keep runs off the board in what was easily his best performance of the year. This is the first time he's completed seven innings all season, and it was his first quality start since May 12 versus the Padres since he had failed to finish six frames in each of his last four outings. Kikuchi had also walked at least four batters in those contests before showing better control Monday. He's at a 2.92 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 68:41 K:BB through 77 innings over 14 starts this season. Kikuchi is lined up for a road start in Baltimore this weekend.

Ortiz (3-7) took the loss Monday against the Reds after giving up four runs on nine hits and one walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The nine hits allowed matched a season high for Ortiz, and he worked fewer than five innings for the first time since April 23 against the Yankees. Monday also marked the first time the hard-throwing right-hander yielded greater than three runs since May 6 against the Nationals, as he surrendered multiple home runs for just the second time this year while struggling with his pitch location. Ortiz owns a pedestrian 4.26 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 76:34 K:BB over 69.2 frames, and he'll look to bounce back this weekend at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park against a slumping Mariners club that has a .600 OPS at home since the start of May.

Cunningham was placed on the 7-day injured list Monday, per MiLB's transactions log.

The severity of Cunningham's injury is unknown at this time. He'd been enjoying a strong season at High-A Hudson Valley prior to going down with the injury, posting a 1.93 ERA with 47 strikeouts over 46.2 innings (seven starts).

Basso (shoulder) struck out two in a scoreless inning Sunday at Single-A Fresno and could be deployed as a reliever going forward to get him back from the 60-day injured list faster, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Basso has started four games so far this season for the A's, but after he looked strong in a single inning Sunday, the club is considering bringing him back as a reliever, per Gallegos. If Basso is able to get through a few more relief appearances, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back from the 60-day IL within the next few weeks.

Woods Richardson is expected to be named the starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It was reported Sunday that the club was considering calling Woods Richardson up to join the rotation at some point during the week after Zebby Matthews (shoulder) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) both landed on the injured list, and the Twins' pitching plans are now coming into focus. Woods Richardson is fresh off a shaky outing against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, surrendering five runs over five innings, but he'll need to turn the page quickly with a promotion on the horizon.

Selvidge (biceps) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three Saturday against Double-A Binghamton.

Selvidge had been working his way through a rehab assignment since May 19 before being returned to Double-A Somerset ahead of Saturday's outing. He struggled at times to find his command but was able to work out of danger for the most part. Selvidge spent the majority of his time at Double-A a season ago, posting a 4.25 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with an 83:40 K:BB across 84.2 innings.

Pecko (undisclosed) surrendered one run on three hits while striking out five across three innings Saturday against Double-A Arkansas.

Pecko was shelved for the first few months of the 2025 campaign due to an unspecified injury, but he's now made two straight starts at Double-A. He's had his swing-and-miss stuff working thus far, retiring eight batters via the strikeout over his first five innings of work at Double-A Corpus Christi.

Springs is expected to serve as the Athletics' primary pitcher in Monday's contest versus the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Grant Holman will be the team's opener, but Springs is in line to handle the bulk of the innings. It's the second straight bulk relief appearance for Springs, who allowed four runs (three earned) while striking out seven across 6.2 frames last week against the Twins.