MLB Player News

Rasmussen (elbow) recorded a strikeout as part of a 1-2-3 first inning in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Durham.

Per Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com, Rasmussen touched 99 miles per hour with his fastball and spotted 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes in the rehab outing, his first competitive action at any level since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last July. Though the right-hander is expected to prepare for a starting role with the big club heading into the 2025 season, the Rays will ease him back from elbow surgery as a multi-inning reliever in 2024. Rasmussen will likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before the Rays bring him back from the 60-day injured list, likely in early-to-mid August.

Springs (elbow) is expected to cover five innings in his next rehab start with Triple-A Durham during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

Springs will require at least one more tune-up outing in the minors after he most recently made the 10th start of his rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Durham. He struck out three over three innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits and one walk, tossing just 48 pitches after a rain delay cut his start short. Per MLB.com, the Rays are evaluating Springs' readiness to return from the 60-day injured list on a start-to-start basis, but if he's able to cover five innings efficiently in his upcoming outing with Durham, he could get the green light to make his 2024 debut with the big club. The Rays already have a rotation spot available for the taking with Ryan Pepiot (knee) landing on the 15-day IL on Sunday.

Stroman (7-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over 5.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

Stroman allowed a couple of solo homers but was otherwise efficient during Sunday's outing. He's struggled with both the long ball and walks this year, but while Stroman upped his home runs allowed to 17, he didn't allow a free pass for the first time all season after entering the contest with a 4.0 BB/9. Stroman has particularly struggled since the start of June with only one quality start and a 5.04 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over eight starts spanning 41 innings. He's scheduled to take the hill again next weekend when the Yankees head to Boston to take on their bitter rivals.

Baz did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Yankees, allowing no runs on four hits and five walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

On the plus side, Baz was able to keep the Yankees off the board during his first scoreless outing in three starts this season. However, he recorded only 10 outs while allowing nine batters to reach base, issuing a career-high five bases on balls. Baz has a pedigree for success as a former highly touted prospect, and he pitched well in Triple-A prior to his July 5 call-up, posting a 1.57 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 23 innings. His next start is tentatively slated to take place next weekend when the Rays host the Reds.

Ryan did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings against the Brewers. He struck out six.

Ryan started strong, managing to avoid pitching from the stretch through four innings, with a third-inning two-out solo homer from Eric Haase representing the only batter to reach base against him. Ryan then ran into trouble in the fifth, allowing hits to four of the first five batters he faced with three runs crossing the plate. He managed to complete the sixth in line for the win, but a leaky bullpen prevented him from grabbing his seventh victory of the season. Ryan has now allowed nine runs through 11.1 innings over his last two starts, though his season stats remain impressive. Through 20 starts, Ryan has completed 120.2 innings with a 3.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 130 strikeouts. He's currently projected to next take the hill when the Twins travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers next weekend.

Montero (1-3) allowed five runs on eight hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.

Montero was hounded by Toronto leadoff hitter George Springer, who took him deep twice, once with a runner on. The righty has had some ups and downs so far in his rookie campaign. He allowed nine runs over 8.2 innings in his first two MLB starts, then followed that by allowing only two runs over 12.2 innings in his next two appearances. Montero has now allowed 10 runs across 10.1 innings in his last two starts. Based on prior results, the 24-year-old may be ready for another upswing, but fantasy managers would be wise to tread carefully due to his 5.97 ERA overall. Montero is penciled in to start again Friday against the Twins.

Lugo (12-4) picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, pitching a complete game and allowing one run on three hits while striking out six.

Lugo set another career mark in his breakout season of 2024. In his 85th career start, Lugo registered his first career complete game in Sunday's win over the White Sox. The 2024 All-Star lowered his ERA to 2.38 in the win, which ties him with Corbin Burnes for the lowest in the MLB. Lugo's 12 wins are also one behind Chris Sale for the most in MLB this season.

Thorpe didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Royals. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five.

Thorpe was impressive yet again Sunday, registering a start of six scoreless innings for the second time in his first seven career outings. He was pulled in the seventh after reaching 97 pitches, and his bullpen couldn't hold on to the 1-0 lead he left them. Thorpe has been one of the better rookie hurlers in the American League, as he now has a streak of five straight quality starts. Outside of his June 16 appearance, when he gave up seven earned runs, the 23-year-old has given up only six earned runs over his other six starts.

Bloss is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics in Oakland, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bloss will be making his first turn through the rotation of the second half after he returned from the 15-day injured list July 11 and covered four innings in a start against the Marlins. The rookie right-hander's stay in the rotation will likely come to an end once Justin Verlander (neck) is activated from the IL, perhaps as soon as next week.

Lively (8-6) took the loss against the Padres on Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings while striking out two.

Lively gave up a two-out double to Kyle Higashioka that plated two runs in the second inning, but outside of that, he pitched well and stayed out of trouble in Sunday's loss. It was his seventh straight start in which he gave up multiple runs, but he's also pitched into the sixth inning in six straight starts. The 32-year-old remains a steady piece of the Guardians rotation with a 3.57 ERA through 93.1 innings this season.