MLB Player News

Francis took a no-decision in Thursday's 7-6 victory over the Padres, throwing four innings and allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Francis was lifted from the ballgame after four solid innings of work Thursday, but he's now failed to last five frames in five of his past six starts. The right-hander's struggle to keep the ball in the yard continued as he has now allowed a home run in eight of his 10 starts this season, bringing his total up to a staggering 15 on the year.

Marquez (1-7) took the loss Thursday against the Phillies, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

While Colorado failed to provide Marquez with any run support in an eventual shutout loss, it was an encouraging performance from the right-hander, who's now held opponents to just one earned run over seven innings in two of his last three starts. Still, the 30-year-old Marquez remains a risky commodity for fantasy purposes -- his ERA still sits at an ugly 7.66 with a 1.68 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB across 10 starts (47 innings). Marquez currently lines up for a tough road matchup with the Cubs in his next outing.

Suarez (3-0) earned the win Thursday over Colorado, allowing six hits and three walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

After allowing seven runs in just 3.2 innings during his first outing this year, Suarez has responded with three straight wins and quality starts, allowing just three runs over 20.2 frames in that span. Overall, the southpaw sports a 3.70 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB since returning from the back injury that delayed the start of his season. Suarez is currently lined up to face Atlanta at home in his next start.

Miller (elbow) said he will throw a simulated game Friday in Houston and will operate on a six-day routine moving forward, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The sim game will be up-and-down for two innings. Miller believes if it goes well, he will avoid a rehab assignment and could subsequently return to the Mariners' rotation. The righty is coming back from right elbow inflammation that he has dealt with throughout the season, with the injury ultimately landing him on the injured list May 12.

Kolek did not factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-6 extra-innings loss against the Blue Jays. He went six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts.

After a clean first two starts in which he didn't allow a run, Kolek has now surrendered eight earned runs over his last two starts spanning 11 innings. Regardless, the 28-year-old has certainly delivered all that's been asked of him as the Padres continue to bide time before the return of veteran Yu Darvish (elbow). Kolek's ERA is up to 2.84 following Thursday's quality start.

The Astros recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

The 26-year-old will presumably step into the rotation spot vacated by Ronel Blanco (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. The Astros don't currently have a starter listed for Sunday's home game versus the Mariners, so Gordon likely slot in to make a start that day, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The rookie lefty previously made two starts for the big club this season, giving up six earned runs while turning in a 10:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings.

The Astros placed Blanco on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right elbow inflammation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blanco's first examination Wednesday revealed inflammation in his elbow, which was all the Astros needed to hear to put him on the shelf for at least the next 15 days. It's still unknown exactly how much time the 31-year-old will miss, but his upcoming meeting with a second doctor should help the team determine the next steps in Blanco's recovery.

Rodon (6-3) notched another win after throwing six shutout innings Thursday against the Rangers. He allowed just two hits and walked two batters while striking out eight.

In a game where the only offense of the day came via a Jorbit Vivas solo homer, Rodon turned in perhaps his best performance of the season. After Thursday's gem, he's now surrendered one or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, including two scoreless outings. The 32-year-old has struck out 28 batters over that four-game stretch and 80 for the season, which is tied for sixth in MLB.

Rodriguez is expected to enter Thursday's game in Pittsburgh in relief after starting pitcher Aaron Civale (hamstring), Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Previous reports had pegged Rodriguez as likely to make a start this week, but the Brewers have decided to go ahead and activate Civale from the injured list and have Rodriguez come out of the bullpen. Rodriguez is stretched out to provide length, if needed, but Civale is in line to throw 75-to-85 pitches Thursday, so Rodriguez might not be needed for more than an inning or two.

Eovaldi (4-3) took the loss Thursday against the Yankees, throwing six innings and surrendering a walk, five hits and just one run while striking out six.

Eovaldi continues to defy Father Time and furthered a monster start to the season that's seen him give up just three earned runs across his past six starts. He may have come out on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel with Carlos Rodon on Thursday afternoon, but Eovaldi's season-long stats continue to sparkle as one of the bright spots for the up-and-down Rangers. After this outing, the 35-year-old ranks fifth in MLB with a 1.60 ERA and first with a 0.79 WHIP, among qualified starters.