MLB Player News

Hill struck out two over 1.1 scoreless relief innings in Thursday's 2-0 loss to Toronto.

Hill closed out the seventh inning by striking out Daulton Varsho with a runner on base, then threw a 1-2-3 eighth. He agreed to a minor-league deal with Boston earlier this month and worked his way back to the big leagues. Thursday's appearance made 2024 the 20th consecutive year in which the left-hander has appeared in an MLB game. While he's been mainly a starter throughout his career, Hill is expected to work out of the Red Sox bullpen.

Povich (1-7) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing five runs on 10 hits and one walk over 3.1 innings while striking out three.

Povich got knocked around early and often, allowing at least two hits in each of his four innings. The southpaw generated just four whiffs over that stretch while allowing five runs for the second consecutive start. Povich has now lost his last five decisions, allowing three or more runs in five of six outings over that stretch. He'll finish up the month of August with a 7.36 ERA to go along with a 12:3 K:BB.

Brown did not factor into the decision in a win over the Royals on Thursday, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

Brown was efficient, tossing 60 of 97 pitches for strikes and allowing just one man to reach second base through the first six innings. The right-hander then ran into some trouble in the seventh after a fielding error from Jeremy Pena. Brown was relieved by Bryan Abreu, who would let three runs come across for Kansas City. The outing marked Brown's third consecutive quality start and his fifth straight outing in which he's allowed two or fewer runs. He's issued exactly two walks in each of his last six starts but hasn't paid for it, posting a 2.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB in 36.2 innings over that stretch.

Singer did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Astros on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings while striking out six.

Singer got off to a strong start, allowing just one hit over the first four innings while striking out five of the first 13 batters he faced. The Astros would finally get to him for two runs in the fifth, however, after the right-hander surrendered an infield single to Jeremy Pena with one out, followed by back-to-back doubles from Jon Singleton and Jason Heyward. Singer wouldn't get the win, but he was able to log his second quality start this month while posting at least six strikeouts for the fourth time in his last five outings. He'll look for better results in September after finishing the month of August with a 1-3 record and a 5.53 ERA.

Crawford (8-12) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings while striking out three.

The right-hander got knocked around a bit in the third inning when he allowed a leadoff double to Brian Serven to open the frame, followed by an RBI double off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero. Crawford would allow just one more run on the night, which came on a two-bagger from Ernie Clement in the sixth, while inducing 12 whiffs overall in the contest. Crawford has been tagged with the loss in each of his last three starts and he's given up multiple runs in eight straight. He'll wrap up the month of August with a 6.32 ERA over 31.1 innings to go along with a 22:11 K:BB.

Eflin (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Thursday and could be in line to start Sunday at Colorado, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Eflin has passed most milestones to return, with Thursday's session being among the final steps. The Orioles expected Eflin's stint on the injured list to last the minimum period, and it appears he is on pace to meet that timeline.

Boyle retired one batter and was charged with three earned runs on no hits and three walks during his relief appearance in Thursday's 10-9 loss to the Reds. He also hit a batter with a pitch.

Boyle's latest stint in the Oakland rotation lasted all of two turns, with the Athletics opting to move him to the bullpen after he struck out eight but gave up five earned runs on five hits and four walks in five innings his last time out Saturday versus Milwaukee. J.T. Ginn shifted from the bullpen to make his first MLB start Thursday, and he gave up four runs over five innings prior to being lifted from the contest. Boyle then entered in the bottom of the sixth and was credited with a hold after departing with a 6-5 lead, even though he loaded the bases prior to exiting the game. Over the long haul, the Athletics are hoping that Boyle's poor control and lack of reliable secondary offerings will be lesser concerns in a relief role, but his first exposure to the bullpen wasn't promising.

Rodriguez (lat) threw from flat ground before Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez threw from flat ground for the second time this week and will progress to work from the mound soon. No exact timeline for his increased activity or activation from the injured list has been revealed.

Madden is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox at Comerica Park.

Despite posting a 7.97 ERA over 79 innings at Triple-A Toledo this season, Madden received his first call-up Monday and turned in a respectable showing in his MLB debut, albeit against a lowly White Sox offense. He covered five innings and took a no-decision Monday, striking out two while allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks. Though Madden didn't yield any extra-base hits in the contest, he struggled to find the zone, spotting just 52 of his 87 pitches for strikes. Madden will make for a risky streaming option this weekend versus Boston.

Nastrini (0-6) allowed one run on three hits and a walk over six innings Thursday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Rangers.

Nastrini had the best start of his young career Thursday but still came away with a hard-luck loss against the Rangers. Nastrini pitched six innings for the first time this season, but he now has six losses in seven career starts. The 24-year-old has allowed three hits or less in five of his seven starts but has struggled with his control. Nastrini had more walks than innings pitched coming into Thursday's game, and the single walk Thursday was the first time he hasn't issued multiple free passes.