MLB Player News

Kikuchi (6-9) earned the win Tuesday over the Rays, allowing one run on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Kikuchi allowed a lone run in the second inning before rebounding to retire 12 of the final 14 batters he faced en route to a 3-2 Astros win. The 33-year-old Kikuchi has allowed just five runs in three starts (16.2 innings) since joining Houston after struggling to a 7.75 ERA in his final eight outings with the Blue Jays. Overall, the left-hander sports a 4.49 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 154:36 K:BB through 132.1 innings this year. Kikuchi is currently lined up to face the Red Sox at home early next week in his next start.

Rogers (2-11) took the loss against the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Rogers' velocity was down on each of his offerings, and he generated only five whiffs on 78 pitches. He has failed to register a win or quality start in three chances with the Orioles, allowing five earned runs in two of those contests. On the season, the southpaw owns a 4.89 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 92:53 K:BB across 119.2 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Red Sox this weekend.

Skubal (14-4) earned the win against the Mariners on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over six innings.

Skubal was given an early lead and cruised to his second straight victory over the Mariners. The southpaw leads the majors in wins (14) and ERA (2.53) while ranking second in strikeouts (180) and WHIP (0.92). He'll try to continue building his case for AL Cy Young honors against the Yankees this weekend.

Boyd allowed one run on three hits over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Cubs. He struck out six.

After missing over a calendar year following Tommy John surgery, Boyd looked solid in his first outing with the Guardians, allowing just a lone run in the second inning while making it through 5.1 frames on just 80 pitches. The 33-year-old Boyd pitched to a 5.45 ERA in 15 starts with the Tigers last season, though he posted a stellar 0.83 ERA across 21.2 innings during his rehab assignment. The left-hander is currently slated to face the Yankees on the road early next week in his second start.

Kirby (8-9) took the loss against the Tigers on Tuesday, allowing 11 runs on 13 hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

Kirby surrendered career highs in hits and runs in his second straight loss to the Tigers. He did generate 15 swinging strikes on 86 pitches but was tagged for 12 hard-hit balls and three homers. The righty has failed to record a quality start in three consecutive outings, allowing 27 hits and 16 earned runs across 14 innings in that span. Despite Tuesday's nightmare performance, the 26-year-old owns a 3.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 143:17 K:BB across 144.2 innings and will try to rebound this weekend against the Pirates.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Tuesday that Stripling is being shifted to a long-relief role, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Stripling has a 5.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 40:16 K:BB across 72.1 innings (14 starts) this season, and he'll be removed from the rotation in favor of Oakland's younger arms. He didn't have much fantasy utility as a starter given the lack of effectiveness, and that's not likely to change in a long-relief role.

Thorpe (forearm) will begin a throwing program Thursday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Thorpe has been shut down from throwing for nearly two weeks since he landed on the IL with a right flexor strain. It's unclear how long it will take for him to build up to a starter's workload, though the 29-91 White Sox won't need to worry about rushing him back.

The Angels optioned Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Daniel will head back to the minors just a day after he surrendered four earned runs over five innings during his start Monday against the Blue Jays. Kenny Rosenberg will come up from Salt Lake to fill the open roster spot, though Jack Kochanowicz is the most likely option to fill the fifth spot in the Halos' rotation.

Varland is likely to be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start Wednesday's game against the Royals, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Varland was optioned to St. Paul on Saturday, but since he was the 27th man for the Twins' doubleheader against the Guardians this past Friday, he is eligible to return this week and was spotted in the clubhouse at Target Field on Tuesday. The right-hander could be needed for multiple more turns in the rotation while Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) are on the injured list.

The Guardians activated Boyd (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Boyd is set to make his Guardians and season debut Tuesday against the Cubs after completing the long road back from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander's results during his rehab assignment were excellent, as he put up a 0.83 ERA with 27 punchouts over 21.2 innings. He threw 63 pitches in his final rehab start, so Boyd will probably be capped around 80 pitches Tuesday.