MLB Player News

Gray will start Wednesday against the Dodgers, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers had held off on officially naming Gray their starter for Wednesday's game since he pitched 2.1 innings in relief in Saturday's loss to the Giants. He's evidently bounced back fine from that appearance and will pitch on short rest versus the Dodgers. It will be Gray's first start since he had to exit an outing more than three weeks ago with a right groin strain.

Flaherty (back) said he's feeling better after receiving a pain-killing injection Tuesday and has been cleared to start Saturday's game against the Astros in Houston, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Flaherty was scheduled to play catch Wednesday and will throw a bullpen session Thursday, but unless the Tigers indicate that his back is still aching coming out of either of those activities, he shouldn't face any restrictions while he slots back into the rotation this weekend. The right-hander has delivered excellent returns on the Tigers' one-year, $14 million investment on him this offseason, as he'll head into Saturday's outing with a 3-4 record, 3.22 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 94:10 K:BB across 72.2 innings through his first 12 starts with Detroit.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that the club is considering activating Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list to start either Saturday versus the Guardians, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez was terrific in his latest and likely final rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, striking out 10 over four shutout innings while scattering three hits and one walk. He would be starting on short rest if he's brought back Saturday, but the club is considering it because it prefers giving Jose Berrios an extra day of rest before his next outing, which would fall Sunday. If Rodriguez is in fact tabbed to fill the opening in the rotation Saturday, he could be deployed as part of a tandem with Bowden Francis, who had been occupying the No. 5 spot in the rotation following Alek Manoah's (elbow) move to the IL.

The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Varland made a successful spot start Tuesday against the Rockies, spinning five scoreless frames while taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 5-4 loss. The Twins will use his roster spot for a fresh relief arm, with Jay Jackson coming up from Triple-A to join the bullpen.

Dunning (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings.

Dunning dug the Rangers an early 3-0 hole after surrendering a three-run homer to Will Smith in the first inning. He kept the Dodgers off the board the next two frames but loaded up the bases in the fourth before being replaced by Jonathan Hernandez with two outs. Hernandez gave up a double to Mookie Betts, which plated two runs that were charged to Dunning. He's now given up 14 runs (12 earned) over his last 17 innings and hasn't pitched more than five frames since April 28. The 29-year-old owns a 4.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB in 54.1 innings and will look to get back on track in a weekend start against Seattle.

Blanco (6-2) got the win over the Giants on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.

Blanco matched his season high with eight strikeouts. His lone blemish on the night was allowing a solo home run to Brett Wisely in the third inning. It was an encouraging bounceback effort from the 30-year-old after allowing eight runs and combining to strike out eight over his prior two starts coming into Tuesday's game. Blanco now owns a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB in 70.2 innings and lines up for an enticing matchup against the White Sox early next week.

McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.

The right-hander got a quick hook after 75 pitches (43 strikes) with the Guardians ahead 3-2, but the bullpen and offense were able to secure McKenzie's first win since April 19. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four trips to the mound, but on the bright side, he kept the ball in the yard Tuesday after serving up eight homers over his three prior outings. McKenzie will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB through 68 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.

Crawford (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over six innings as the Red Sox fell 4-1 to the Phillies. He struck out eight.

The right-hander got very little support from his offense or defense, but the difference in the game was the two solo shots Crawford served up to Kyle Schwarber. The quality start was Crawford's sixth of the season, but his first in over a month, while the eight Ks were a season high. Since beating the Giants on May 1, he's gone 0-5 in seven starts with a 5.40 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB in 40 innings. Crawford will try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Yankees.

Singer (4-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk across 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Singer was in trouble from the start, allowing a triple to Anthony Volpe on just his second pitch of the day as part of a two-run first inning for the Yankees. Singer had more issues in the fourth, when Austin Wells launched a three-run home run to plate Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres to give New York a 6-0 lead. The 27-year-old's seven runs allowed marked a season high and he failed to complete six innings for the fifth time in his last six starts. He'll have another tough draw for his next start, with a road matchup with Dodgers set for Sunday.

Sears allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Tuesday.

Sears was in line for the loss after fading and allowing all three runs in the fifth inning, but Tyler Soderstrom tied the game in the eighth for the Athletics. This was Sears' first no-decision since May 14 -- he went 1-3 while allowing 11 runs (10 earned) over 23.1 innings across his previous four starts. The southpaw has a 4.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 54:24 K:BB through 78.1 innings this season. He's projected to make his next start at Minnesota.