MLB Player News

Skubal did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning victory over Cleveland. He gave up three hits over seven shutout frames while striking out 10.

Skubal was his usual dominant self, but the Tigers couldn't get him the win, as they were shut down by Gavin Williams, who threw six shutout innings. Skubal has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last eight outings, producing a ridiculous 1.12 ERA and 69:7 K:BB during that stretch. He threw 66 of 93 pitches for strikes Sunday and racked up 20 whiffs, with 14 coming via the changeup. Skubal is defending his 2024 AL Cy Young with another impressive campaign; he now owns a 2.02 ERA with a 148:14 K:BB across 116 frames. He's lined up for a home matchup against the Mariners next weekend.

Williams did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning loss to Detroit. He allowed a hit and three walks over six shutout frames while striking out eight.

Williams walked the first batter of the game before retiring 14 straight Tigers. He worked around a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning and kept Detroit off the board during one of his best starts of the year. Williams threw 61 of 97 pitches for strikes and generated 18 whiffs, including seven with his sweeper. Unfortunately for Williams, Cleveland's offense couldn't get anything going against Tarik Skubal and eventually lost in the 10th frame. Williams has walked at least three batters in five straight outings and now owns a 90:52 K:BB through 92.1 frames. He'll carry a 3.61 ERA into his next outing, which is expected to be on the road against the White Sox.

Fried (11-2) earned the win against the Mets on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts over five innings.

Fried cruised through four innings before allowing two runs during a 25-pitch fifth frame and was removed in the sixth after hitting Brandon Nimmo, who later came around to score. He logged five straight quality starts in a stellar June but has failed to do so in either of his July outings. Even so, the recently announced All-Star now leads the majors with 11 wins, sporting a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 111:24 K:BB across 119 innings. He lines up for a tough home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.

Garcia (elbow) threw another live batting practice session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has now faced hitters on three occasions as he continues to ramp back up since being shut down late in the spring when he experienced inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, Garcia was able to make a pair of rehab starts in 2024, but he's more than two years removed from his last appearance with the Astros. Once he's cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Garcia will likely need most of the 30-day window to build up his pitch count and hone his command before the Astros deem him a viable option for the rotation.

France (shoulder) most recently tossed a 26-pitch bullpen session June 27, MLB.com reports.

France has been facing live hitters for nearly a month and had been scheduled to to do so on June 27, but poor weather prompted the Astros to alter those plans and have France throw a bullpen session instead. The Astros haven't indicated that France threw again in the week since that that 26-pitch side session, so the right-hander could be in the midst of a brief de-loading period as he works his way back from July 1, 2024 surgery to repair a torn right shoulder capsule. France is likely at least a couple weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment, and he's not expected to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until late in the 2025 season.

Javier (elbow) threw two simulated innings Tuesday during his most recent live batting practice session, MLB.com reports.

Javier followed up the two-inning live BP by throwing a bullpen session Friday. The right-hander will presumably face hitters again at some point within the next few days, and if all goes well, the Astros could clear Javier to head out on a rehab assignment at some point shortly after the All-Star break. Javier is working his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery and is likely to require close to a full 30-day rehab window in the minors before the Astros bring him back from the 60-day injured list.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Arrighetti (thumb) is expected to complete one more bullpen session before he faces live hitters, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti completed 15- and 20-pitch bullpen sessions June 24 and June 27, respectively, so he'll presumably build on that pitch count while mixing in all of his offerings during his next side session. The right-hander will likely need to throw multiple live batting practice sessions before then heading out on a rehab assignment, perhaps shortly after the All-Star break. Arrighetti appears to be tracking toward a late-July or early-August return from the 60-day injured list, but a more precise target date won't come into focus until he's out on the rehab assignment.

Kirby (3-4) earned the win in Sunday's game against the Pirates, allowing four hits and no walks across 6.1 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts.

The Seattle right-hander bagged his third consecutive quality start, as he generated an impressive 19 whiffs out of his 93 total pitches. Kirby completely controlled the Pittsburgh lineup, who never threatened to do damage, tallying just four singles. With this effort, Kirby lowered his ERA from 4.85 to 4.22 across 49 total frames while managing to push his K/9 up to 9.2. The 27-year-old is currently slated to make his next start at Detroit next weekend.

Gusto (6-3) allowed one run on four hits and one walk over six innings to pick up the win in Sunday's contest against the Dodgers. He struck out one.

The Houston right-hander was favored over Colton Gordon to start the series finale at Los Angeles. Gusto impressed in this 80-pitch appearance, generating a solid 13 whiffs despite striking out just one. The only blemish on his outing came in the second inning via a Dalton Rushing RBI double, as Gusto notched his second quality start of the season. Given this solid performance against the league's top scoring offense, the 26-year-old is likely to garner another turn in the rotation before the All-Star break. If Gusto continues to start, his next outing would line up to come against the Rangers at home next weekend.

Lorenzen (5-8) earned the win in Sunday's game at Arizona, allowing two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

The Kansas City right-hander produced an astounding 17 whiffs in this 82-pitch outing to tally his first win since June 8. With this performance, Lorenzen notched his seventh quality start of the season and matched his season best with seven Ks, a mark he reached four times prior to Sunday. The 33-year-old lowered his season ERA from 4.95 to 4.61 across 99.2 frames to go with a 1.30 WHIP and 85:29 K:BB. Lorenzen currently lines up to make his next start against the Mets at home next weekend.