MLB Player News

Valdez (9-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out 10.

The 10 strikeouts tied his season high, a mark he set in his final outing before the All-Star break, while the quality start was his 11th of the campaign. Valdez has been locked in since the beginning of June, giving up three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts while posting a 2.73 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB in 62.2 innings. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound at home next weekend against a Rays squad that could be seriously depleted after the trade deadline.

Estes came on in relief in Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels, collecting a hold while allowing two hits and two walks over 2.2 scoreless innings. He didn't strike out a batter.

After making each of his previous 13 appearances with the Athletics this season as a starter, Estes worked out of the bullpen for the first time with Oakland bringing Paul Blackburn (foot) back from the injured list Friday. Since Blackburn was making his first start with the big club in more than two months, he was limited to five innings and 72 pitches in his return, prompting the Athletics to turn to Estes in relief on his normal four days' rest. The Athletics cleared up their logjam in the rotation to some degree by optioning Hogan Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, but Estes could still end up sticking in the bullpen if Oakland elects to proceed with Osvaldo Bido as its fifth starter.

Springs (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Sunday and then will return from the 60-day injured list to start for the Rays on Tuesday or Wednesday versus the Marlins, MLB.com reports.

Springs is on the cusp of his 2024 debut with the Rays after completing 12 rehab starts and most recently building up to five innings and 82 pitches with Triple-A Durham on Thursday. Assuming all goes well with his bullpen session Sunday, he'll be set for his first big-league appearance since April 2023. The Rays may monitor Springs' innings due to his lengthy layoff due to Tommy John surgery, but he'll assume the rotation spot vacated by Zach Eflin, who was traded to the Orioles on Friday.

Pepiot (knee) plans to throw off a mound either Saturday or early next week, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot suffered a knee infection in the latter portions of the All-Star break and was briefly in the hospital for treatment. He's feeling much better and seems to be on track for a quick return from the injured list, though the team has not committed to activating him immediately when eligible.

Blackburn (4-2) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Angels.

Blackburn's return from a stress reaction in his right foot got off to a rough start -- he allowed two-run home runs to Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel in the first inning. Manager Mark Kotsay let Blackburn work through the issues, and the right-hander did well to settle in before exiting after 72 pitches (41 strikes). He's now at a 4.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB through 51 innings over nine starts this season. Blackburn may have modest workload restrictions over his next one or two starts, and he's projected for a challenging home outing against the Dodgers next week.

Singer (7-6) allowed two hits and two walks over seven scoreless frames Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Cubs.

Singer retired the first 11 batters he faced and was later able to work his way around a few threats. In two starts since the All-Star break, he's fired 14 scoreless innings while recording 12 punchouts. He's allowed fewer than two runs in six of his last seven outings while registering a 1.76 ERA over that span. Singer now owns a strong 2.82 ERA with a 111:36 K:BB through 118 innings. His next start is projected to come on the road against the White Sox.

Bello didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Bello allowed just one run through his first four innings before the Yankees scored twice in the fifth, forcing the right-hander out of the game after throwing 80 pitches. Coming into Friday, the 25-year-old Bello had delivered quality starts in three of his previous four outings, going 3-0 with a 4.44 ERA in that span. Overall, he's 10-5 on the year with a 5.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and. 96:36 K:BB across 100.2 innings. Bello's currently slated to face the Mariners at home next week in his next start.

Baz allowed two runs, two hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Friday.

Baz struck out a season-high seven, but he was denied his first win of the campaign as he left the mound with the score tied 2-2. The 25-year-old gave up a two-run double to Jeimer Candelario in the first inning but would cruise from there. Baz has two quality starts in his four appearances this season, and he has 19 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.

Cortes allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings in a no-decision Friday against the Red Sox. He struck out five.

Cortes has now failed to make it through the fifth inning in three straight starts -- he's allowed 15 runs over 13.1 innings in that span. Overall, the left-hander is 4-9 with a 4.13 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 116:26 K:BB across 22 starts this season. Cortes will look to right the ship his next time out, though he's currently in line for a tough road matchup in Philadelphia.

Heaney didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Blue Jays, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Most of the damage against Heaney came early Friday, as Toronto scored three times on a pair of doubles in the first inning. It's the first time since April 25 that Heaney's been charged with more than three earned runs in a start -- he'd posted a 2.81 ERA in his last 15 outings prior to Friday. Overall, the left-hander is 4-10 this year with a 3.77 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 105:30 K:BB across 105 innings. Heaney's currently in line to face the Cardinals on the road in his next start, assuming the Rangers don't make a move to shake up their rotation before next week's trade deadline.