MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Lynch to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

The move comes one day after Lynch allowed six runs over 6.2 innings in bulk relief in a loss to the Yankees. Kansas City's decision to send Lynch back to the minors could indicate that the club expects Michael Wacha (foot) to be ready to return from the 15-day injured list next week, but no announcement on a replacement for Lynch in the rotation has been made just yet.

Povich came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Atlanta, allowing five hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The southpaw was brilliant in his second big-league start, firing 63 of 89 pitches for strikes and leaving the mound in line for his first career win before Matt Olson tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth inning. Despite this performance, Povich may be headed back to the minors if Dean Kremer (triceps) is cleared to rejoin the rotation next week, but if the O's want to keep the youngster around, Albert Suarez could also shift back to the bullpen.

Lynch did not factor in the decision against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 6.2 innings.

Dan Altavilla was tabbed to serve as Kansas City's opener Wednesday, but he got only one out while allowing five batters to reach base. Lynch therefore entered in the first frame and immediately yielded a sacrifice fly before Jose Trevino slugged a three-run homer against him. The left-hander went on to allow two more long balls -- one each to Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres -- and six total runs were charged to his ledger. Lynch at least managed to eat up innings, as the 6.2 frames were his most so far this season, but he's now allowed 14 runs over his past 10.2 innings and has an ugly 6.35 ERA on the campaign. It's unclear if he'll go back to working as a traditional starter or continue to pitch behind an opener moving forward, but either way there's a good chance he'll fall out of the rotation when Michael Wacha (foot) is ready to return.

Poteet (3-0) earned the win over Kansas City on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 5.1 innings.

Poteet was staked to a 6-0 lead after one inning and cruised through five scoreless frames before the Royals scored their first two runs in the sixth. The right-hander had plenty of cushion at that point and ended up with his third victory across four starts. Poteet has completed six innings just once in those outings, but he's put up a great 2.14 ERA and 1.05 WHIP despite a not-so-great 13:7 K:BB over 21 innings.

Gray allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over three innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Gray was pitching on short rest after he made a relief appearance versus the Giants on Saturday, so it's not surprising this was a short outing for the veteran. He threw 36 of 65 pitches for strikes, and the lone run on his line was a Shohei Ohtani solo home run in the first inning. Gray is now at a 2.17 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 63:19 K:BB over 62.1 innings through 13 appearances (11 starts) this season. The right-hander should be getting back on a normal schedule moving forward, which puts him tentatively on track to make his next start in a favorable home matchup versus the Mets.

Soriano (4-5) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over eight-plus innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

This was the longest outing of Soriano's career, and it was a good one. He had plenty of run support early and pitched into the ninth inning, ending the start with 97 pitches (63 strikes). He's quickly becoming one of the Angels' most reliable starters, having covered at least six innings in five straight appearances. He's at a 3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB through 72.1 innings over 14 appearances (12 starts) this year. The 25-year-old's strikeout numbers have taken a hit from where they were last year when he was a reliever, but there's still value in a pitcher that can eat innings. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Brewers.

Cannon allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.

Cannon dueled with Seattle starter Bryce Miller for seven innings, but the Mariners struck first when Luke Raley hit a solo home run in the seventh. This was still Cannon's best start of the season, and it appears he'll have a chance to stick in the rotation for a while following the White Sox's recent reshuffling of their pitching staff. The 23-year-old is at a 4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB over 23.2 innings over five appearances (four starts). Mike Clevinger (elbow) is expected to require a rehab assignment prior to returning to the Chicago rotation, and since that has yet to be announced, it seems likely Cannon will take the mound during next week's home series versus the Astros, especially after the right-hander's strong showing in Seattle.

Miller allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Miller rebounded from his worst start of the year by producing his third scoreless outing in 2024. Two of those scoreless efforts have come over his three starts in June. The 25-year-old has a 3.48 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB over 82.2 innings through 14 starts this season as he continues to impress as part of the Mariners' strong rotation. Miller's next start is projected to be a challenging road outing in Cleveland.

Pivetta did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Phillies, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts over four innings.

It was a rough night from the start, as Pivetta allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base and surrendered two runs in each of the first and third innings. The four walks were a season high, and he allowed at least one baserunner in every inning. Pivetta has been inconsistent this season, with six starts of two or fewer earned runs and three starts yielding five. On the season, Pivetta owns a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 55:13 K:BB in nine starts and lines up against the Blue Jays next Monday.

Valdez (5-4) took the loss Wednesday against San Francisco, allowing five runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out one.

It was a tough day for Valdez, who allowed two runs in the third inning before the Giants scored three more in the fourth. The 30-year-old Valdez had allowed just five runs in three starts (22 innings) coming into Wednesday's matchup. The left-hander now sports a 3.99 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB across 67.2 innings this year. Valdez will look to rebound in his next outing, currently scheduled for early next week on the road versus the White Sox.