MLB Player News

Imai (6-4) earned the win over Miami on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings.

Imai held the Marlins scoreless through four frames and ended up with just one run on his ledger. The Japanese righty recorded 15 whiffs en route to eight punchouts and posted his fifth quality start of the campaign. Perhaps the only concerning part of Imai's outing is that his control was shaky -- he threw just 56 of 96 pitches for strikes and tossed a first-pitch strike to only 11 of 25 hitters. Still, it was a promising opening to the second half for Imai, who struggled to a 6.06 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 13 starts prior to the All-Star break. He'll look to build on Tuesday's outing his next time out, which lines up to be a road tilt against the Angels.

Valdez (5-7) took the loss against the Cubs on Tuesday, giving up six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Valdez made his first start since July 9, but the extra time off didn't seem to do him any favors. The lefty hurler allowed the first seven batters he faced to reach base, and he was pulled with two outs in the first frame after forcing home a run by issuing a bases-loaded walk to Pete Crow-Armstrong. It was the second time in Valdez's career that he's been unable to get out of the first inning, and it was the third time this season that he's surrendered five or more runs in a start. Valdez's initial campaign with Detroit has been mostly a disappointment, as his 4.57 ERA is the seventh-worst mark among qualified MLB hurlers.

Gausman (4-9) took the loss against the Rays on Tuesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout over 3.1 innings.

Gausman allowed three runs in the first inning and just couldn't put hitters away, generating only five swinging strikes on 90 total pitches. It continued a rough stretch for the veteran, who last won a game May 22 while allowing four earned runs or more in six of his 10 starts since. He owns a 4.51 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB across 115.2 innings this season and lines up for a road matchup with the streaking Red Sox this weekend.

Rasmussen (8-5) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts over five innings.

Rasmussen was staked to an early lead and cruised through five innings before allowing three straight hits to open the sixth, departing without recording an out and being charged with two runs in the frame. It was still an encouraging outing for the 30-year-old, who had yielded 11 earned runs over his first two July starts. He'll take a 3.28 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 103:18 K:BB across 104.1 innings this season into a home matchup with the Guardians this weekend.

Kikuchi (shoulder) is expected to throw another live session this weekend, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi threw 34 pitches to Wade Meckler and Denzer Guzman on Tuesday, and he said that he felt great afterward. The southpaw has been out since late April while recovering from left shoulder inflammation, and he is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment after he completes his next live batting practice session.

The Tigers placed Flaherty on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right flexor strain.

Flaherty's injury may have played a part in his performance during his start Monday, in which he gave up three earned runs in just four innings against the Cubs. He'll now be forced to miss a few turns through the rotation while he recovers, and the Tigers will bring Ty Madden up from Triple-A to add some extra depth to their bullpen.

Cole will take the mound in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Pittsburgh, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cole recorded his second straight quality start in his last outing, tossing six innings of two-run ball against the Dodgers on Friday. After a pair of disappointing starts in late June, the right-hander has posted a 3.63 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 17.1 innings in his last three turns in the rotation. Cole hasn't turned in a scoreless outing since he recorded back-to-back scoreless starts upon his return from the IL in late May, and Wednesday will be a tough test against a red-hot Pirates offense that has scored five or more runs in five of their last eight contests.

Fried (elbow) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried was set to make a second rehab start Wednesday, and he was expected to throw 60 pitches in the outing according to manager Aaron Boone. The southpaw will instead return to a major-league mound for the first time since suffering a left elbow bone bruise in mid-May. Fried has posted an impressive 3.21 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 50 strikeouts over 61.2 innings in 10 starts this season, so he'll be a welcomed addition to fantasy rotations, though it may take a few outings for him to work up to his regular workload.

The Rangers selected Gonzales' contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gonzales joined the Rangers on a minor-league pact in late June and has since allowed 16 earned runs in just 16.2 innings over three starts. Despite his poor performance, the 34-year-old will return to the majors for the first time in two seasons and join the Rangers' bullpen as a long reliever, replacing the injured Jose Corniell (elbow).

Interim Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said that Suarez (groin) is in the mix to return from the 15-day injured list to start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The left-hander was scheduled to come off the injured list to start Tuesday's contest, but Eduardo Rivera was instead named the starter for that game before it was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather. Suarez is apparently experiencing some soreness after recently testing out his groin and is also feeling a bit under the weather, which prompted Boston to move back his return. Even if Suarez doesn't end up taking the mound in Wednesday's nightcap, he could still be back in the Red Sox's rotation later this week.