MLB Player News

Bloss did not factor into the decision in a win over the Marlins on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings while striking out four.

Bloss got off to a bit of a rough start, surrendering a solo homer to Bryan De La Cruz in the second at-bat of the game before then throwing two wild pitches in the second inning, which helped lead to another run coming across for Miami. However, the right-hander appeared to settle in after that, hurling two scoreless innings before being relieved by Shawn Dubin to open the fifth. Bloss threw 82 pitches in his first start since returning from the injured list and induced nine whiffs while throwing first-pitch strikes to 13 of 18 batters. He'll look to build off this performance in his next start, which will come after the All-Star break.

Medina (2-4) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.

Medina fell behind 3-0 after one inning and then 5-0 after allowing a solo homer in each of the third and fourth frames. He ended his outing having tied a season-worst mark with six runs allowed despite recording a campaign-high seven punchouts. The poor performance stalled the momentum Medina had built up in allowing just two runs over 11 frames across his previous two starts.

Houck (8-6) earned the win over the Athletics on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing three walks while striking out six batters over six scoreless innings.

The A's managed just two hits (both singles) off Houck and didn't get a runner to second base until the sixth frame. Houck was pulled after that inning with 103 pitches and having recorded his 14th quality start of the campaign -- tied for fourth-most in the majors. The right-hander also ranks fifth among qualified pitchers with a 2.54 ERA and 13th with a 1.03 WHIP.

Cortes (4-8) took the loss against the Rays on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings.

A two-run homer by Randy Arozarena put Cortes behind in the first inning, but New York tied the score with solo homers in the second and third. However, the southpaw surrendered three runs in the bottom of the third frame, and the Yankees never managed to catch up. Cortes thus took his third loss across his past four outings, and he's already doubled his previous career-worst mark with eight defeats on the campaign. He hasn't been as bad as his record indicates, though, recording a 3.67 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 110:22 K:BB over 115.1 innings.

Baz allowed three runs six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Thursday.

Baz allowed solo homers to Austin Wells and Juan Soto in the second and third innings, respectively, but entered the fifth holding a 5-2 lead. He didn't stick around long enough to qualify for the victory, however, since he was removed in that frame with two runners on base and one out. It's not necessarily surprising that Baz was pulled in that situation given that it was just his second big-league appearance since his 2022 Tommy John surgery, though he had thrown only 68 pitches and demonstrated good control with 48 strikes after tossing 92 pitches in a six-inning win during his season debut July 5. It's not yet clear if Baz will remain in the rotation when Jeffrey Springs (elbow) returns to action, which could happen shortly after the All-Star break.

Suarez (5-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Suarez allowed just one run through four frames before letting three runners cross the plate in the fifth. That was more than enough to send him to his third loss, as Baltimore's offense was unable to muster any runs against Justin Steele and a pair of Cubs relievers. Suarez had won two straight starts coming into Thursday, and he still has a nice 2.82 ERA across 70.1 frames this season, so his spot in what has been an injury-plagued rotation is seemingly secure.

Gausman (7-8) picked up the win Thursday against San Francisco, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks across seven innings. He struck out three.

Both runs charged to Gausman came in the first inning when Heliot Ramos launched a two-run home run. Outside of the long ball, Gausman was able to induce enough soft contact to make it through seven innings while generating only seven whiffs. The 33-year-old entered Thursday's start with losses in four of his previous five appearances, and he allowed four or more runs three times during that stretch. However, he's logged a quality start in back-to-back outings and owns a 4.50 ERA across 104.0 innings heading into the All-Star break.

Garcia (elbow) played catch Thursday after originally being scheduled for a bullpen session, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Garcia struggled in his rehab appearance July 4, primarily due to issues with his location. Manager Joe Espada framed the downgraded activity as a precaution, though the team has also not announced when Garcia will make his next rehab start.

Flaherty (6-5) picked up the win Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings against the Guardians. He struck out four.

Flaherty, who had not pitched since June 27 due to lingering back issues, received plenty of run support while holding the Guardians' lineup in check, save for a solo homer in the third by Bo Naylor. Flaherty managed 83 pitches through six innings and was staked with a 10-1 lead by the time he was replaced. It was the fifth time in six starts Flaherty has allowed no more than one run, with the lone exception coming in his previous start, which immediately preceded his two-week hiatus. Flaherty has been a model of consistency in his first year in Detroit, never completing a full seven innings yet also never completing fewer than five through 16 starts this season. Through 95 innings, he's recorded 119 strikeouts to go along with a 3.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

The Angels recalled Kochanowicz from Double-A Rocket City on Thursday ahead of his start versus the Mariners.

Kochanowicz will be making his MLB debut Thursday after posting a 1.85 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 34 innings during his last five Double-A starts. Davis Daniel was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday, so the fifth spot in the Angels' rotation currently belongs to Kochanowicz, but the 23-year-old right-hander may be sent back to the minor leagues if he struggles against MLB hitters. In order to free up a spot on the active roster, the Angels optioned Jose Marte to Triple-A.