MLB Player News

Lambert was removed from his start against the Angels on Wednesday after getting hit on the hand by a comebacker, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Nick Madrigal hit a groundball in the seventh inning that bounced up and struck Lambert's right hand, leading to the latter's removal. The 29-year-old righty said after the game that he feels fine, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, but the Astros will likely monitor his health leading up to his next turn through the rotation, which is lined up to come next week against Detroit. He gave up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks over 6.1 frames prior to his exit.

Valdez (3-5) was tagged with the loss Wednesday in the 6-4 defeat to the Twins after he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings.

Valdez gave up home runs to Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton, which accounted for all of the damage against him. The lefty took his fourth loss in his past seven starts and has a 5.54 ERA and 1.42 WHIP during that span. The two-time All-Star's strikeout rate this year is down more than five points to 17.9 percent, which would be a career low.

Scherzer (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

After missing more than six weeks due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, Scherzer didn't have his best stuff in his return Wednesday, although he did record his 3,500th career strikeout when he fanned the first batter he faced, Kyle Schwarber. The 41-year-old right-hander has made it through four innings just once through six starts so far this year, failing to collect more than four punchouts in any outing. Scherzer will take a miserable 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB over 22 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Boston.

Young (5-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Mariners, allowing two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

It was another excellent outing for Young, who's now logged four straight quality starts -- he's posted a 2.08 ERA across 30.3 innings in that span. The 27-year-old Young lowered his ERA to 3.04 through 10 starts (56.1 innings) this season with a 1.13 WHIP and 33:14 K: BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a rematch with the Mariners in Seattle next week.

Kirby (5-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out 10.

Kirby was impressive early Wednesday, blanking the Orioles for five innings while setting a season high with 10 strikeouts. However, things came apart in the sixth, as Kirby gave up three runs on three extra-base hits, which proved enough to leave the right-hander with his fourth loss in his last five starts. Still, it was a step in the right direction overall for Kirby, who'd struggled to a 7.29 ERA over his previous four outings. For the season, his ERA now sits at 4.07 with a 1.31 WHIP and 74:21 K:BB across 14 starts (84 innings). Kirby is currently scheduled for a rematch with the Orioles at home in his next outing.

Lugo was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers after getting hit on the head by a comebacker, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander made it through 3.1 innings of one-run ball Wednesday before a 106.6-mph line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo connected with Lugo's forehead in the fourth. He was able to get to his feet relatively quickly but was immediately pulled by the Royals' training staff and will presumably enter concussion protocol. An update on his status may be available after the game.

The Angels transferred Kochanowicz (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Kochanowicz is slated to undergo Tommy John surgery after recently being diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow, so a move to the 60-day IL was expected. He'll finish the 2026 campaign with a 6.19 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 64 innings (13 starts) and will likely remain out until late 2027 or early 2028.

Messick (6-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Guardians fell 8-4 to the Yankees, giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

While the 25-year-old southpaw was able to keep the ball in the yard, triples by Jazz Chisholm in the second inning and Trent Grisham in the sixth played big roles in a pair of three-run frames for New York. It was the first time since May 3 that Messick was tagged for more than three runs in a start, but after two stellar months to begin the season, he's kicked off June by going 0-2 in two outings with a 5.56 ERA and 8:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Milwaukee.

Rodon (2-2) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings in an 8-4 victory over the Guardians. He struck out seven.

The veteran left-hander delivered his third straight quality start on 96 pitches (58 strikes) as he gets rolling following his belated season debut May 10. Over those last three outings, Rodon has gone 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 18 innings. He'll look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against his former club, the White Sox.

Rasmussen (6-2) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering two hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings during a 7-5 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out 13.

The right-hander set a career high in strikeouts while recording 20 whiffs among his 97 pitches (66 total strikes). Rasmussen has held the opposition off the board in three of his last four trips to the mound, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 32:4 K:BB in 25 innings over that sizzling stretch. He faces a tough test in his next start, which is set to come on the road early next week against the Dodgers.