MLB Player News

Estes (3-3) earned the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing four hits and one walk with four strikeouts in a complete-game shutout.

Estes breezed through the Angels' lineup and lucked out with double-play balls in three of his nine innings of work. The 22-year-old right-hander induced 15 swings and misses on the night en route to the first complete game of his big-league career, and he needed only 92 pitches to get the job done. It marked Estes' first win since June 5 against the Mariners and the third time in his last six starts that he's gone at least six frames. He's also allowed two or fewer runs in three consecutive outings.

Fedde (6-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-2 victory over the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander produced his ninth quality start of the season, and fourth in his last five trips to the mound, on 91 pitches (54 strikes). Fedde's control wasn't as sharp as usual -- he walked multiple batters for the first time since May 31 -- but Cleveland wasn't able to take advantage. Since the beginning of June. Fedde sports a 3.16 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB through 37 innings, and his value is only increasing if the White Sox decide to move him before the trade deadline. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Twins.

Kikuchi allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Houston on Wednesday.

Kikuchi gave up just one run through five frames before serving up a solo shot to Yordan Alvarez in the sixth. The southpaw got two more outs in the inning but was pulled one out shy of a quality start following a Jeremy Pena double. Despite that disappointment, this was a positive outing for Kikuchi after he had given up 13 runs across 11 frames over his final three starts of June. The hurler has fallen off after a strong start to the campaign -- across his past eight appearances, he has just one quality start while registering a 6.50 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB across 36 innings.

Blanco allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Wednesday.

Blanco fared fine after giving up six runs (three earned) in his previous outing, though fantasy managers in leagues that count quality starts will no doubt be disappointed that he was pulled one out shy. That hook may have also cost the right-hander a victory, as he had a one-run lead when he was relieved by Tayler Scott, who promptly gave up a single to allow the tying run to cross the plate. While Blanco has posted a modest 8.2 K/9 on the campaign, his overall numbers are strong -- he's recorded a 2.53 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 96 frames.

Rodon allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Though he logged his fourth straight defeat, this was a bounce-back effort of sorts for Rodon after he surrendered 21 runs (20 earned) over 13.2 innings across his previous three starts. The veteran hurler did, however, continue to struggle with the long ball Wednesday, yielding multiple homers for the third straight outing. Rodon has given up seven home runs during that three-game stretch, and his 18 homers allowed on the campaign is tied for third most in the majors.

Gray allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday.

Gray gave up a two-run home run to Manny Machado in the third inning and labored again early in the fifth. This was the fourth time in Gray's last six appearances that he failed to complete five innings, though two of those short outings were by design following his return from a groin injury. The right-hander is now at a 3.92 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 71:22 K:BB over 80.1 innings across 17 appearances (15 starts) this year. Gray is lined up to make his next start in a favorable road matchup versus the Angels.

Montero (1-2) allowed two runs on six hits across 6.1 innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Twins. He walked one and struck out four.

The Tigers put up nine runs of support, which was more than enough to help Montero earn his first MLB win. The rookie had allowed nine runs across 8.2 innings in his first two starts in the majors, but he looked much more comfortable in his third appearance. He's expected to stick in the rotation for at least a few turns with Casey Mize (hamstring) on the injured list. Montero's next start is tentatively scheduled for July 11 as Detroit juggles its rotation before the All-Star break.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Irvin will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The decision to move Irvin to the bullpen comes after he allowed five runs in 3.2 innings during his most recent start Sunday against the Rangers, giving him a 10.22 ERA over 12.1 innings across his last three starts. Hyde noted there is still a possibility that the 30-year-old southpaw returns to the rotation at some point, but he would likely need to string together several solid performances out of the bullpen before that happens.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Bradford (rib/back) has resumed throwing off a mound, and the left-hander is likely to fill a relief role once back from the injured list, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was dominant in three starts for Texas with a 1.40 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB before he suffered a lower-back strain and a stress fracture in his rib, but he's not expected to rejoin the rotation once healthy. Max Scherzer is finally healthy after missing nearly the first three months of 2024, and Tyler Mahle (elbow) is also moving toward his season debut. Bradford's buildup and rehab assignment should be shorter since he's coming back as a reliever, but the Rangers are likely still looking for him to cover multiple innings and be an option for spot starts.

The Orioles activated Kremer (triceps) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Kremer will rejoin the Orioles' rotation with a start Wednesday against the Mariners. He missed six weeks of action with a right triceps strain and did not pitch well on a rehab assignment, posting an 11.42 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Even with a plus matchup on tap versus Seattle, fantasy managers might be wise to give Kremer a start or two before activating him.