MLB Player News

Imanaga allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision versus the Phillies.

Imanaga held his own versus a tough opponent, though he allowed home runs to Rafael Marchan and Alec Bohm. This was Imanaga's fourth quality start in his last five outings, the exception being a 10-run anomaly facing the Mets on June 21. The southpaw is now at a 3.16 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 92:15 K:BB through 91 innings over 16 starts this season. He's projected for another challenging opponent next week when he's lined up to for a road start in Baltimore.

Wheeler allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Wheeler has posted quality starts in eight of his last nine outings, the lone exception being an eight-run disaster at Baltimore on June 16. The right-hander left Wednesday's game with a lead, but Matt Strahm couldn't maintain it, though the Phillies went on to win, 5-3, anyway. Wheeler is now at a 2.74 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 119:33 K:BB through 111.2 innings over 18 starts this season. He's projected for a tough home start versus the Dodgers in his next outing.

Sale (11-3) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings to earn the win over the Giants on Wednesday.

Sale has allowed just one run in each of his last three starts, though he was unlucky to come away with just two wins in that span. His 11 wins rank first in the National League, and Sale is tied with Kansas City's Seth Lugo for the major-league lead. Sale is now at a 2.71 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 127:19 K:BB through 99.2 innings over 16 starts this season. The southpaw's next start is projected to be on the road in Arizona.

Hicks (4-5) allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings, taking the loss versus Atlanta on Wednesday.

Hicks is winless in his last eight outings, going 0-4 with a 5.02 ERA in that span. He's walked multiple batters in six of those starts, though Wednesday was the fourth time in that span that he's avoided giving up a home run. Hicks is at a 3.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 82:35 K:BB through 90.2 innings over 18 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at home against one of his former teams, the Blue Jays.

Jones was removed from his start Wednesday versus St. Louis due to a right lat strain, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Jones managed to get through five innings of one-run ball while striking out five batters and walking two before coming out of Wednesday's contest. The 22-year-old said after the game that he could have kept pitching if necessary, but the team opted for a cautious approach in order to prevent his injury from worsening. Pittsburgh will keep an eye on Jones' lat as his next start approaches, but the initial level of concern seems relatively low.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Irvin will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The decision to move Irvin to the bullpen comes after he allowed five runs in 3.2 innings during his most recent start Sunday against the Rangers, giving him a 10.22 ERA over 12.1 innings across his last three starts. Hyde noted there is still a possibility that the 30-year-old southpaw returns to the rotation at some point, but he would likely need to string together several solid performances out of the bullpen before that happens.

Manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Marquez (elbow) will make two more rehab starts with Double-A Hartford, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Marquez struggled heavily in his latest rehab outing at Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, allowing four earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning and throwing just 33 pitches. The 29-year-old righty was originally slated for just one additional start after Friday, but his abbreviated appearance will cause the Rockies to add another game to his rehab stint, ruling him out for a return to Colorado before the All-Star break. Since restarting his assignment June 12, Marquez has allowed eight earned runs in 8.2 innings while striking out 13 batters and walking three.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Bradford (rib/back) has resumed throwing off a mound, and the left-hander is likely to fill a relief role once back from the injured list, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was dominant in three starts for Texas with a 1.40 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB before he suffered a lower-back strain and a stress fracture in his rib, but he's not expected to rejoin the rotation once healthy. Max Scherzer is finally healthy after missing nearly the first three months of 2024, and Tyler Mahle (elbow) is also moving toward his season debut. Bradford's buildup and rehab assignment should be shorter since he's coming back as a reliever, but the Rangers are likely still looking for him to cover multiple innings and be an option for spot starts.

The Diamondbacks recalled Mena from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Mena was in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse Tuesday, and manager Torey Lovullo noted that the right-hander, if officially called up, would deserve the opportunity to start Wednesday, per PHNX Diamondbacks. Mena was part of the package acquired by the Diamondbacks from the White Sox in the Dominic Fletcher trade in February. Mena has spent the entire year in Reno, and over his 16 minor-league starts, the 21-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.90 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 82.2 innings. He will make his major-league debut Wednesday on the road against the Dodgers.

Yamamoto is no longer feeling pain in his right shoulder, but he hasn't yet started throwing, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Yamamoto was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain two days after being able to complete only two innings in his most recent start June 15. While the rookie right-hander is now pain-free, he isn't yet throwing, and manager Dave Roberts indicated that there's no clear timeframe for when the hurler will pick up a ball again. The organization figures to be cautious with Yamamoto, and he almost certainly won't return to action until after the All-Star break.