MLB Player News

Kikuchi (3-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out 12.

The southpaw looked like he might be in for a rough afternoon when a Scott Kingery error helped lead to a two-run first inning for Boston and forced Kikuchi to burn through 31 pitches, but he locked in after that, giving up just a single the rest of the way. The dozen strikeouts were a season high for Kikuchi, and he remains absolutely dominant at Angel Stadium, delivering a 1.12 ERA through eight home starts this year with a 3-1 record, a 1.10 WHIP and a 51:17 K:BB over 48.1 innings. His next outing, however, is scheduled to come on the road next week in Atlanta, and Kikuchi has labored to a 4.47 ERA and 1.63 WHIP away from Anaheim.

Fitts came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out six.

Making his first major-league start since June 2, Fitts once again had issues keeping the ball in the park, serving up back-to-back solo shots to Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud in the fourth inning before getting the hook after 83 pitches (58 strikes), including 15 swinging strikes. The six Ks were a season high, but the right-hander has now been taken deep seven times in his first 25 MLB innings this season, leading to a 4.68 ERA. Fitts' time in the rotation will likely end when Tanner Houck (elbow) or Hunter Dobbins (elbow) are ready to return, but for now he lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Reds.

Burke (4-7) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings during a 7-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander tied his season high with seven strikeouts, a mark he set last Thursday against the Cardinals. Burke has given up two earned runs or fewer in eight of 10 starts since the beginning of May, posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB over 54 innings during that span. He'll try to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to be a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next week.

McCullers (foot) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander landed on the shelf June 16 due to a right foot sprain, and he was kept off the mound for only about a week. Assuming McCullers can continue ramping up his throwing program back up with no issues, he may not be looking at an extended absence.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Philadelphia, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out three over seven scoreless innings.

Valdez delivered his first scoreless outing since April 8, blanking the Phillies despite struggling with his control. The 31-year-old lefty has now walked at least four batters and struck out three in two consecutive starts. In his last four starts, Valdez has a 2.16 ERA and a 29:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Cubs on Sunday in his next turn through the rotation.

Zobac (knee) has given up seven earned runs on 13 hits and no walks while striking out eight over 6.2 innings in his two starts for Double-A Northwest Arkansas since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list June 13.

Zobac was on Northwest Arkansas' IL for nearly two months before he slotted back into the rotation a couple weeks ago after he wrapped up a three-start rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Over four outings at Double-A this season, Zobac owns a 9.42 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in 14.1 innings, but his 19:5 K:BB suggests that he's pitched better than his ERA would indicate.

The Blue Jays activated Scherzer (thumb) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Scherzer will make his long-awaited return to the Blue Jays rotation Wednesday in Cleveland after missing nearly three months with right thumb inflammation. The 40-year-old struck out eight over 4.1 scoreless innings in his last rehab start a week ago for Triple-A Buffalo, throwing 75 pitches in the outing. Scherzer felt lingering soreness in the thumb after the start and has admitted he's not sure how the thumb will hold up. However, he and the Blue Jays are ready to give it a shot.

McClanahan (triceps) threw off a mound Wednesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

It appears to be his first time throwing off the bump since he was shut down for a bit earlier this month. McClanahan visited a nerve specialist following the brief shutdown period, and that doctor gave the go-ahead to ramp things back up. There is no timetable for McClanahan's return to the Rays' rotation.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Crawford will undergo right wrist surgery that will "most likely" keep the pitcher out for the remainder of the season, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Crawford began the season on the injured list with a right knee injury that first cropped up over the winter. However, it's Crawford's wrist that's been the bigger issue over the last few weeks, and the decision has been made to have surgery. The specific nature of the operation isn't clear, but the team should have more details on Crawford's status after surgery.

The Orioles recalled Young from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Young will start Wednesday's game against the Rangers. The right-hander won't be fully stretched out, as he just recently returned from a shoulder issue at Norfolk and threw 65 pitches in his last outing. Young is likely in line for just one start with the Orioles, so he will likely be optioned to Norfolk within the next couple of days.