MLB Player News

Thorpe (3-2) took the loss Friday, surrendering eight runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks in only two-thirds of an inning as the White Sox were routed 10-0 by the Mariners. He struck out one.

The rookie right-hander's eighth career start was an absolute disaster, as Seattle batted around in the first inning and launched back-to-back-to-back homers off Thorpe to chase him from the game. The brutal performance sent his ERA soaring from 3.03 to 4.81, and it snapped his streak of five straight quality starts. Thorpe will try to shake it off and get back on track in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Royals.

Kirby (8-7) picked up the win in Friday's 10-0 rout of the White Sox, scattering six hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Seattle's offense staked Kirby to an 8-0 lead before he even took the mound for the bottom of the first inning, but the right-hander didn't take it easy on the opposition. Chicago never got a runner past second base against Kirby as he fired 60 of his 88 pitches for strikes before exiting. He's been incredibly consistent for the M's -- he hasn't given up more than three runs in an outing since May 24, and he's lasted at least six innings in nine straight starts, posting a 1.73 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 55:7 K:BB in 57.1 innings over that stretch. Kirby is scheduled to make his next trip to the mound on the road next week in Boston.

Valdez (9-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out 10.

The 10 strikeouts tied his season high, a mark he set in his final outing before the All-Star break, while the quality start was his 11th of the campaign. Valdez has been locked in since the beginning of June, giving up three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts while posting a 2.73 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB in 62.2 innings. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound at home next weekend against a Rays squad that could be seriously depleted after the trade deadline.

Estes came on in relief in Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels, collecting a hold while allowing two hits and two walks over 2.2 scoreless innings. He didn't strike out a batter.

After making each of his previous 13 appearances with the Athletics this season as a starter, Estes worked out of the bullpen for the first time with Oakland bringing Paul Blackburn (foot) back from the injured list Friday. Since Blackburn was making his first start with the big club in more than two months, he was limited to five innings and 72 pitches in his return, prompting the Athletics to turn to Estes in relief on his normal four days' rest. The Athletics cleared up their logjam in the rotation to some degree by optioning Hogan Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, but Estes could still end up sticking in the bullpen if Oakland elects to proceed with Osvaldo Bido as its fifth starter.

Springs (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Sunday and then will return from the 60-day injured list to start for the Rays on Tuesday or Wednesday versus the Marlins, MLB.com reports.

Springs is on the cusp of his 2024 debut with the Rays after completing 12 rehab starts and most recently building up to five innings and 82 pitches with Triple-A Durham on Thursday. Assuming all goes well with his bullpen session Sunday, he'll be set for his first big-league appearance since April 2023. The Rays may monitor Springs' innings due to his lengthy layoff due to Tommy John surgery, but he'll assume the rotation spot vacated by Zach Eflin, who was traded to the Orioles on Friday.

Pepiot (knee) plans to throw off a mound either Saturday or early next week, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot suffered a knee infection in the latter portions of the All-Star break and was briefly in the hospital for treatment. He's feeling much better and seems to be on track for a quick return from the injured list, though the team has not committed to activating him immediately when eligible.

Blackburn (4-2) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Angels.

Blackburn's return from a stress reaction in his right foot got off to a rough start -- he allowed two-run home runs to Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel in the first inning. Manager Mark Kotsay let Blackburn work through the issues, and the right-hander did well to settle in before exiting after 72 pitches (41 strikes). He's now at a 4.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB through 51 innings over nine starts this season. Blackburn may have modest workload restrictions over his next one or two starts, and he's projected for a challenging home outing against the Dodgers next week.

Singer (7-6) allowed two hits and two walks over seven scoreless frames Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Cubs.

Singer retired the first 11 batters he faced and was later able to work his way around a few threats. In two starts since the All-Star break, he's fired 14 scoreless innings while recording 12 punchouts. He's allowed fewer than two runs in six of his last seven outings while registering a 1.76 ERA over that span. Singer now owns a strong 2.82 ERA with a 111:36 K:BB through 118 innings. His next start is projected to come on the road against the White Sox.

Bello didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Bello allowed just one run through his first four innings before the Yankees scored twice in the fifth, forcing the right-hander out of the game after throwing 80 pitches. Coming into Friday, the 25-year-old Bello had delivered quality starts in three of his previous four outings, going 3-0 with a 4.44 ERA in that span. Overall, he's 10-5 on the year with a 5.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and. 96:36 K:BB across 100.2 innings. Bello's currently slated to face the Mariners at home next week in his next start.

Baz allowed two runs, two hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Friday.

Baz struck out a season-high seven, but he was denied his first win of the campaign as he left the mound with the score tied 2-2. The 25-year-old gave up a two-run double to Jeimer Candelario in the first inning but would cruise from there. Baz has two quality starts in his four appearances this season, and he has 19 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.