MLB Player News

Estes allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

The only run Estes allowed came in the fourth inning, when he began the frame by hitting Isaac Paredes with a pitch before serving up a run-scoring triple off the bat of Brandon Lowe. Promisingly, Estes recovered to retire the next three batters without allowing Lowe to cross the plate, and he finished off his outing with another scoreless inning. Though Estes holds a 6.10 ERA through 20.2 frames this season, he's held his own in three of his four starts -- the poor earned-run average is largely due to an eight-run, 3.2-inning blowup against Houston in his second appearance.

Pepiot allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Oakland on Wednesday.

Pepiot appeared on his way to a quality start after giving up one run through five frames, but he was pulled with two outs in the sixth after allowing two batters to reach base, and one came around to score after his departure. Still, this was a positive step forward in the right-hander's second game back following a stint on the injured list. Pepiot gave up three runs over just four frames while walking four batters in his return from the IL last Wednesday.

Crawford (2-4) took the loss against Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Crawford was excellent outside of the second inning -- he gave up five runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter in that frame, with the big blow being a grand slam by Gunnar Henderson. The right-hander did hold the Orioles scoreless on one hit the rest of the way, but the damage was too much to overcome against Baltimore starter Corbin Burnes. Crawford has surrendered 11 runs over 10.1 innings across his past two starts, pushing his season ERA to 3.29. It sat at 2.17 prior to the two-game downturn.

Burnes (5-2) earned the win over Boston on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out five batters over seven innings.

Burnes was splendid in the outing, yielding no extra-base hits and allowing zero earned runs for the second time in his past three starts. The right-hander's five strikeouts were mildly disappointing, but he did have his swing-and-miss stuff working with 16 whiffs in the contest. Burnes has completed at least six frames in seven straight starts and is tied for second in the league with nine quality starts on the campaign.

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw live batting practice Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Thursday's session will be Cole's third against hitters and his first since throwing 30 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Saturday. There had been some talk after that session of the right-hander potentially next advancing to a minor-league rehab assignment, but it appears that isn't in the cards quite yet. Still, Cole seems to be progressing well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation and could be back in the Yankees' rotation by the the latter half of June.

Flexen (2-5) allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Flexen doesn't have the best command, but he hit a low point for the year with this outing. The right-hander has surrendered 16 runs across 18.1 innings over his last four starts, and Wednesday was the first time in that span he's completed five innings. He's now at a 5.50 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 42:22 K:BB over 54 innings across 12 appearances (10 starts) this season. Flexen is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Cubs.

Ober (5-3) took the loss Wednesday versus the Royals, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking none over five innings.

Ober gave up hard contact -- Nelson Velazquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez added a solo shot and an RBI double. This was the first time since his disastrous season debut that Ober allowed multiple homers, though he has yielded seven long balls over his last six starts. He's at a 4.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB through 57 innings over 11 starts this season. Ober's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Yankees.

Lugo (9-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Twins, allowing one run on six hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.

Lugo won five of his six starts in May, allowing just nine runs (eight earned) over 40.1 innings in the month. This was just the fourth time in 12 starts Lugo has allowed nine or more baserunners, as he's been one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors this season. The right-hander is now at a 1.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 66:18 K:BB over 78.1 innings this season. Lugo's next start is projected to be at Cleveland in a battle between the AL Central's two best teams.

Manoah will receive an MRI on his right elbow Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Manoah allowed one hit and struck out three batters in 1.2 innings Wednesday versus the White Sox before right elbow discomfort forced him out of the game early. The Blue Jays will wait for the results of his MRI before making any decisions, but there is a chance the 26-year-old righty will require a trip to the injured list.

The Tigers returned Montero to Triple-A Toledo after Wednesday's doubleheader with the Pirates.

Montero was dealt the loss in his MLB debut after striking out five but giving up four earned runs on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings in the Tigers' 10-2 loss to the Pirates in the second game of the twin bill. He'll now return to Toledo as organizational rotation depth. The 23-year-old righty owns a 4.40 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through nine starts in the minors, and his rough debut could cause the Tigers to look elsewhere in their farm system if they need to fill a rotation spot later in the season.