MLB Player News

Gausman (8-8) picked up the win Sunday against Detroit, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks across 6.2 innings. He struck out five.

All four runs against Gausman came on one swing of the bat, with Justyn-Henry Malloy launching a grand slam in the fifth inning. Two of the three baserunners aboard for Malloy's long ball reached via walk. In spite of the grand slam, Gausman came away with his second consecutive victory and completed at least six innings for the fourth time in five starts. Although the 33-year-old has been significantly less effective this season, he still owns a palatable 4.55 ERA with 109 strikeouts through 110.2 innings. Gausman is on track for a home start against the Rangers next weekend.

Rasmussen (elbow) recorded a strikeout as part of a 1-2-3 first inning in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Durham.

Per Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com, Rasmussen touched 99 miles per hour with his fastball and spotted 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes in the rehab outing, his first competitive action at any level since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last July. Though the right-hander is expected to prepare for a starting role with the big club heading into the 2025 season, the Rays will ease him back from elbow surgery as a multi-inning reliever in 2024. Rasmussen will likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before the Rays bring him back from the 60-day injured list, likely in early-to-mid August.

Springs (elbow) is expected to cover five innings in his next rehab start with Triple-A Durham during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

Springs will require at least one more tune-up outing in the minors after he most recently made the 10th start of his rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Durham. He struck out three over three innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits and one walk, tossing just 48 pitches after a rain delay cut his start short. Per MLB.com, the Rays are evaluating Springs' readiness to return from the 60-day injured list on a start-to-start basis, but if he's able to cover five innings efficiently in his upcoming outing with Durham, he could get the green light to make his 2024 debut with the big club. The Rays already have a rotation spot available for the taking with Ryan Pepiot (knee) landing on the 15-day IL on Sunday.

Meyer started and covered 3.1 innings for Triple-A Jacksonville in Saturday's 3-2 win over Durham, striking out seven while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk.

The Marlins will need a fifth starter for the first time in the second half Tuesday versus the Orioles, but Meyer's appearance for the Triple-A club over the weekend takes him out of the mix for a call-up. Meyer could still be promoted to the big leagues at some point in the near future, but the Marlins have thus far been reluctant to tip their hand regarding when exactly their top pitching prospect might return to the majors. The right-hander broke camp with the big club and turned in a 2.12 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 17 innings over his first three starts, but he was demoted to Triple-A on April 15 and has remained there ever since. He posted underwhelming numbers in his first two months at Jacksonville while sticking to a strict once-a-week pitching schedule, but he's settled in nicely since the beginning of July, logging a 0.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 19 innings.

Stroman (7-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over 5.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

Stroman allowed a couple of solo homers but was otherwise efficient during Sunday's outing. He's struggled with both the long ball and walks this year, but while Stroman upped his home runs allowed to 17, he didn't allow a free pass for the first time all season after entering the contest with a 4.0 BB/9. Stroman has particularly struggled since the start of June with only one quality start and a 5.04 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over eight starts spanning 41 innings. He's scheduled to take the hill again next weekend when the Yankees head to Boston to take on their bitter rivals.

Feltner (1-10) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over seven frames Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Giants.

Feltner served up two solo homers in the loss, including Jorge Soler's leadoff shot to open the game. Feltner has fallen to 0-9 over his last 17 appearances since his lone win of 2024. However, he's looked much better as of late; Feltner has posted a 2.83 ERA over his last five starts. His season ERA sits at 5.19 with a 97:34 K:BB through 109.1 innings. Feltner's next outing is projected to be a rematch in San Francisco.

Birdsong (2-0) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out 12 and earning a win over the Rockies.

Birdsong carved through Colorado's lineup and turned in the best start of his young MLB career. Prior to Sunday's performance, he hadn't struck out more than five batters in an outing. The only damage against him was a two-run shot by Brendan Rodgers in the fourth inning. Birdsong forced a whopping 27 swinging strikes, including 12 with the curveball and 10 with the slider. He's sporting a 3.55 ERA with a 30:12 K:BB through 25.1 innings. Birdsong's next outing is expected to be a rematch at home against the Rockies.

Yamamoto (tricep) said Sunday that he's been playing catch out to 200 feet, but he has yet to receive clearance for mound work and admitted that he's without a clear timeline to return from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Yamamoto is eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 15, but the Dodgers don't seem to be counting on him returning at that time, with Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com instead suggesting that the team is "holding out hope" for him to resume pitching in the big leagues in late August or early September. The Dodgers will get two key members of the rotation in Tyler Glasnow (back) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) back from the IL this week, and the club is seemingly banking on those additions being enough to stabilize the pitching staff until Yamamoto eventually returns to the mix. After signing Yamamoto to a lavish deal this past winter, the Dodgers are cognizant of prioritizing his long-term health and ensuring that he's in optimal health by the time the playoffs begin in October. Yamamoto still appears on pace to return before the end of the regular season, but if absence extends into September, fantasy managers in redraft leagues with limited or no IL spots might not be able to justify holding him.

Baz did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Yankees, allowing no runs on four hits and five walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

On the plus side, Baz was able to keep the Yankees off the board during his first scoreless outing in three starts this season. However, he recorded only 10 outs while allowing nine batters to reach base, issuing a career-high five bases on balls. Baz has a pedigree for success as a former highly touted prospect, and he pitched well in Triple-A prior to his July 5 call-up, posting a 1.57 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 23 innings. His next start is tentatively slated to take place next weekend when the Rays host the Reds.

Pfaadt allowed a hit and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Sunday. He struck out seven in the extra-innings loss.

Pfaadt was dominant, as the only hit the Cubs could muster against him was an infield single. However, Shota Imanaga dealt seven innings of one-run ball with 10 punchouts, which prevented Pfaadt from stringing together consecutive wins. Pfaadt forced 13 swinging strikes and allowed only one runner to reach scoring position. Over his last four outings, he's given up just two runs over 23.1 innings, lowering his season ERA to 3.74 over 20 starts. Pfaadt's next outing is lined up to be at home against the Pirates.