MLB Player News

Leiter (ankle) threw a bullpen session during the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.

Following the bullpen session, Leiter continued to throw off flat ground in Atlanta, where the Rangers kicked off a three-game set Friday. The arm feels good, but the report indicates the right-hander may not be back until late in the season.

Melton didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Angels, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings.

Melton has struck out nine in both of his last two starts, showing excellent form of late. He's given up one run or zero in each of his last five starts, posting a 36:9 K:BB with a 0.92 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across 29.1 innings in that stretch. Melton, who made his first start of the season May 24 and hasn't left the rotation since, will try to keep it going in his next start, scheduled to come on the road against the Cubs.

Montero (6-5) earned the win in relief Friday against the Angels after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out five without a walk.

Montero has posted excellent numbers in long relief since moving to the bullpen in late June. He's held the opposition scoreless in four of his five appearances out of the bullpen while posting a 2.08 ERA and 14:4 K:BB across 13 innings. Montero has been a valuable arm in fantasy this season and is showing he's capable of handling a swingman role. He had a 3.34 ERA across 15 starts earlier in the year and is now sporting a 2.51 ERA in six relief outings.

Detmers didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and striking out seven without a walk over six scoreless innings.

This was undoubtedly a step in the right direction for Detmers, who had given up five earned runs in each of his final two starts before the All-Star break. Even with a few stumbles, Detmers has been a steady presence in the Angels' rotation this season, posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 innings and eight starts since the beginning of June. He's lined up to make his next start at home against the Cardinals.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander produced his third straight quality start in July and MLB-leading 15th of the season on 104 pitches (60 strikes), but he left the mound with the score tied 1-1. Over 21 innings this month, Alcantara has delivered a 2.14 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB, and with the Marlins firmly in playoff contention, the odds of him being dealt at the trade deadline are dwindling. Alcantara will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Houston.

Hughes (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Reds after allowing two runs on five hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Hughes was making just his second start of the season and ended two outs shy of recording a quality start, while the six strikeouts were a strong output. In three appearances (two starts) this season, Hughes has allowed five runs on 11 hits and five walks while fanning 14 across 14.1 innings, translating to a 3.14 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. If he stays in the rotation for another turn, Hughes would be in line to make his next start against the Nationals at home next week.

Singer (4-9) earned the win Friday against the Rockies after allowing two runs on four hits across seven innings. He struck out six.

Singer gave up a run in the fifth and another one in the seventh, but he was solid the rest of the way en route to picking up his fourth win of the season. The 29-year-old right-hander has struck out at least five in each of his last seven starts (41.2 innings) while posting a 2.81 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 over that span. He's scheduled to take the mound on the road against the Mariners in his next start.

Lodolo had his blister drained and began throwing with a Plyo ball, MLB.com reports.

The report doesn't indicate when this activity happened, but Lodolo will continue with the Plyo ball until the finger's tenderness is reduced. The left-hander was removed from a start July 11 when a chronic blister issue resurfaced.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Strider (elbow) will have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Keith Meister next week and may also be scheduled for an MRI, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander was originally shut down June 16 for a period of about four weeks after an initial MRI revealed no structural damage. A return to the big-league roster in late August would seem to be the best-case scenario for Strider, but Weiss didn't sound optimistic while discussing when the 2023 All-Star might be back with Atlanta. Through just 39 innings this season, Strider has a 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB.

Cavalli (6-4) earned the win Friday over the Athletics, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out nine over six innings. He did not issue a walk.

Cavalli gave up a two-run homer to Tyler Soderstrom in the bottom of the fourth inning, but that would be all the damage he'd allow en route to his fourth quality start in his last five appearances. In that five-game stretch, Cavalli owns a 2.96 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with a 12.2 K/9 across 27.1 innings. He'll aim to keep it going in his next start, scheduled against the Rockies at Coors Field.