MLB Player News

Pivetta (4-6) took the loss Wednesday as the Red Sox fell 5-2 to the A's, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out 10.

The 10 Ks tied his season high, a mark he originally set in his first start of the year March 29 against Seattle, and which he matched in his last outing July 4 in Miami. Pivetta has fanned at least nine batters in four of his last eight starts, posting a 4.17 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:15 K:BB through 45.1 innings over that stretch. He'll try not to cool off during his time off, as Pivetta isn't scheduled to take the mound again before the All-Star break.

Garcia (elbow) covered 1.1 innings while striking out two and giving up four earned runs on three hits and one walk in his latest rehab start last Thursday with Double-A Corpus Christi.

After tossing a perfect inning in his first rehab outing June 28 in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Garcia was much less sharp while jumping up three levels for his second rehab start. While he spotted 21 of his 31 pitches for strikes and hit 94 mph with his fastball in the latest outing, his command wasn't on point, as he served up two home runs among the three hits he allowed. Due to effects of Hurricane Beryl in Texas, Garcia's rehab program has been slowed down this week, though he's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, according to MLB.com. If all goes well with the side session, Garcia could then make his third rehab start as soon as this weekend.

Sears (6-7) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out eight.

The southpaw fell one out short of his seventh quality start of the season, getting lifted after a season-high 114 pitches (70 strikes), but it was still an impressive showing from Sears. Since getting rocked for 12 runs and four homers in 5.2 innings over back-to-back starts against the Twins in June, he's delivered a stingy 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB in his last three trips to the mound. Sears will now get an extended rest, as he's not in line to pitch again until after the All-Star break.

Eflin (5-6) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over seven innings as the Rays fell 2-1 to the Yankees. He struck out six.

The right-hander put together one of his better performances of the season, but a lack of run support forced Eflin to settle for his sixth quality start of the year rather than a win. His control remains impeccable -- Eflin has walked one batter or fewer in 11 straight outings, posting a 3.94 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 48:5 K:BB through 64 innings over that stretch. He'll enjoy a breather as he doesn't line up to make another start ahead of the All-Star break.

Stroman came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Rays, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Yankees staked Stroman to a 2-0 lead through four innings, but the veteran right-hander couldn't hang around long enough to record the win. Instead, he got the hook after 84 pitches (49 strikes), leaving the mound with the bases loaded and needing the New York bullpen to bail him out. Stroman has completed six innings only once in his last seven outings, delivering a shaky 5.30 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB through 35.2 innings over that stretch. He'll now get an extended rest, as he isn't scheduled to make another start before the All-Star break.

Bassitt (8-7) earned the win over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Two of the three runs charged to Bassitt came across in the opening frame after he surrendered a leadoff single to LaMonte Wade and allowed him to advance to second on a passed ball. The right-hander then gave up back-to-back RBI singles with two outs, though he wouldn't permit another run until the fifth. He induced 10 whiffs in the contest but also walked four batters for the second consecutive start. Bassitt has now gone at least five innings in 13 straight outings and has won two of his last three.

Canning did not factor into the decision in a win over the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings while striking out three.

Canning cruised through the first four innings before failing to retire five of the first six batters he faced in the fifth, including Leody Taveras, who took the right-hander deep for a two-run shot. The 28-year-old righty was then relieved by Hans Crouse with one out in the frame, missing out on the chance to secure his fourth win of the season. Canning induced 12 swings and misses on the night but has now gone just 4.1 innings in back-to-back starts while posting a 7:4 K:BB to open the month of July. He's also allowed at least one home run in six consecutive outings and has just one win since May 15 (span of 10 starts).

Lorenzen (5-5) took the loss against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings while striking out three.

Lorenzen really struggled in the second inning, hitting Logan O'Hoppe with a pitch to open the frame before surrendering back-to-back walks and two hits, one of which went for a home run to give the Angels an early 4-0 lead. All of the right-hander's four walks came over the first two innings, and he actually went 1-2-3 through each of his final two frames, but he still ended up taking the second loss in his last three starts. It marked the third straight outing in which Lorenzen has issued at least four walks and the second time in his last three starts that he's allowed five runs.

Valdez (8-5) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings to earn the win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

This is the seventh time this season Valdez has gone at least seven innings, and he's allowed more than one run in just one of those outings. The southpaw has earned quality starts in four of his last five games, allowing 13 runs (10 earned) over 30.2 innings in that span. For the season, he's at a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 82:32 K:BB across 98.1 innings through 16 starts. He's been giving up a lot of hits this season, but he's done a decent job at damage control and could have a strong second half if he can keep traffic off the bases.

Wacha (6-6) earned the win over the Cardinals in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings.

It wasn't a smooth outing for Wacha, as he tossed only one 1-2-3 inning and needed 84 pitches to get through five frames. Kansas City's offense gave him ample support, but the right-hander nearly lost his chance at a victory when he gave up two runs in the bottom of the fifth to allow St. Louis to close the gap to 5-4. The three earned runs were the most Wacha has allowed since May 4 -- over his previous eight starts, he had posted a 2.31 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 frames. Wacha's overall 3.83 ERA puts him on pace to log a third straight season with a sub-4.00 earned run average.