MLB Player News

Paxton (6-1) got the win over the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings.

Paxton's lone run against him came in the second inning on a sacrifice fly. He cruised the rest of the way from there, allowing just two more baserunners and did not allow another runner to get into scoring position. Tuesday was Paxton's first quality start since May 17 and his first win since May 11. His two hits allowed also tied his season low. The strikeout numbers have not been there for Paxton this season. He's topped four strikeouts just once this year and that came all the way back in his first start of the year. Still, he's been able to limit significant damage against him for the majority of the year and owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 35:32 K:BB in 59.2 innings. The 35-year-old southpaw lines up to complete a two-start week against the Royals on Sunday.

The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Varland made a successful spot start Tuesday against the Rockies, spinning five scoreless frames while taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 5-4 loss. The Twins will use his roster spot for a fresh relief arm, with Jay Jackson coming up from Triple-A to join the bullpen.

Dunning (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings.

Dunning dug the Rangers an early 3-0 hole after surrendering a three-run homer to Will Smith in the first inning. He kept the Dodgers off the board the next two frames but loaded up the bases in the fourth before being replaced by Jonathan Hernandez with two outs. Hernandez gave up a double to Mookie Betts, which plated two runs that were charged to Dunning. He's now given up 14 runs (12 earned) over his last 17 innings and hasn't pitched more than five frames since April 28. The 29-year-old owns a 4.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB in 54.1 innings and will look to get back on track in a weekend start against Seattle.

Montgomery (4-4) got the win over the Angels on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings.

Montgomery got through two innings unscathed before the Angels tacked on a pair of runs in the third. He got through another two clean innings before Taylor Ward took him deep to lead off the sixth. Montgomery retired the next two batters before being replaced by Kevin Ginkel to face Logan O'Hoppe. The strikeout numbers remain down for Montgomery. He hasn't struck out more than five batters since May 13 and is averaging 5.5 K/9, which would be his lowest mark since 2018. The 31-year-old southpaw owns a 6.58 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 32:19 K:BB in 52 innings and lines up for a favorable matchup against the White Sox this weekend.

Blanco (6-2) got the win over the Giants on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.

Blanco matched his season high with eight strikeouts. His lone blemish on the night was allowing a solo home run to Brett Wisely in the third inning. It was an encouraging bounceback effort from the 30-year-old after allowing eight runs and combining to strike out eight over his prior two starts coming into Tuesday's game. Blanco now owns a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB in 70.2 innings and lines up for an enticing matchup against the White Sox early next week.

McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.

The right-hander got a quick hook after 75 pitches (43 strikes) with the Guardians ahead 3-2, but the bullpen and offense were able to secure McKenzie's first win since April 19. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four trips to the mound, but on the bright side, he kept the ball in the yard Tuesday after serving up eight homers over his three prior outings. McKenzie will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB through 68 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.

Crawford (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over six innings as the Red Sox fell 4-1 to the Phillies. He struck out eight.

The right-hander got very little support from his offense or defense, but the difference in the game was the two solo shots Crawford served up to Kyle Schwarber. The quality start was Crawford's sixth of the season, but his first in over a month, while the eight Ks were a season high. Since beating the Giants on May 1, he's gone 0-5 in seven starts with a 5.40 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB in 40 innings. Crawford will try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Yankees.

Wheeler (8-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Red Sox, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out four.

Two of the hits came on the first two batters he faced as Boston pushed across a run in the bottom of the first inning, but Wheeler shut the opposition down the rest of the way. The right-hander exited after 88 pitches (59 strikes) with his fifth straight quality start and 11th of the season, putting him in a tie for the major-league lead with four other pitchers. Wheeler will take a 2.16 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 95:27 K:BB through 87.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Baltimore.

Megill (1-3) took the loss Tuesday as the Mets were downed 4-2 by the Marlins, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander was dominant early, fanning eight of the first 14 batters he faced, but Megill faded in the fifth inning and got the hook after 87 pitches (57 strikes). He's been impressive in four starts since returning from a shoulder strain, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB through 21.2 innings. Megill will try to give the Mets a little more length in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Padres.

Luzardo (3-5) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 4-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out four.

The southpaw had a bumpy second inning that included plunking his first batters of the year, but Luzardo was otherwise sharp and left the mound after 91 pitches (62 strikes). Since returning from a flexor strain in mid-May, he's gone 3-3 in six starts with a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB over 35.2 innings. Luzardo will look to build on this performance in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend against the Nationals.