MLB Player News

Sears (2-7) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over five innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win against Colorado.

The lone blemish on Sears' line came in the fourth inning, when he served up a solo shot to Randal Grichuk. Sears snapped a streak of four straight losses dating back to his last win June 11. Since the start of June, he's produced a 3.79 ERA through 57 frames, lowering his season mark to 4.09 across 21 starts. His next outing is projected to be on the road against the Dodgers next week.

McClanahan did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on eight hits over five innings against the Astros. He struck out six without issuing a walk.

The final line is rather pedestrian by his standards -- that speaks to the incredibly high bar he's set for himself more than anything else. McClanahan induced a whopping 17 swinging strikes on 86 pitches. Jose Abreu's homer in the fourth inning accounted for two of the three runs against McClanahan, who lines up to pitch in Yankee Stadium his next time out and will be looking for his first win since June 16.

Javier did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-3 loss against Tampa Bay. He struck out nine.

After handing out six free passes his last time out, Javier only issued two walks. However, his control issues were still apparent in the form of three hit batsmen. Javier started the season by going 7-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over his first 12 starts (69.2 innings), but his performance has slipped considerably over the past two months. Despite his struggles, the Astros figure to keep him in the rotation, though they will have options thanks to the impending return of Jose Urquidy (shoulder).

Smyly (8-7) yielded one run on two hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win against the Cardinals.

Smyly worked out of the bullpen again Friday, entering the game in the third inning after Hayden Wesneski covered the first two frames. It was a solid rebound performance for Smyly after he had allowed 22 earned runs over his previous 21 innings. He lowered his season ERA to 4.50 with a 97:37 K:BB through 108 frames. Smyly is expected to remain in a bulk relief role and is currently in line to take the mound against the Reds at home next week.

Montgomery (6-9) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Cubs.

He rolled through four shutout frames before the Cubs finally broke through in the fifth inning. Montgomery's been tagged with two consecutive losses while giving up eight earned runs over 12 innings during that stretch. Before that, he'd yielded one earned run or fewer in each of his previous five outings. Montgomery is sporting a 3.42 ERA and 108:35 K:BB through 121 frames. His next start is projected to come at home against the Twins next week, provided St. Louis doesn't trade him before then.

Toussaint (1-3) earned the win Friday, allowing three hits and one walk over five scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over the Guardians. He struck out four.

The White Sox traded Lucas Giolito to the Angels on Wednesday, creating an opening in the starting rotation. Toussaint got another chance to step in and made his case for a more permanent spot, inducing 14 swinging strikes on 83 pitches en route to his first win of the season. Once a highly regarded prospect, the right-hander has bounced around in recent years, failing to make the most of his big-league opportunities to date. He should be considered a highly volatile fantasy option given his command and control issues.

Urquidy (shoulder) will make his fourth and final minor-league rehab start Sunday for Double-A Corpus Christi, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

This lines him up to return to the Astros' rotation Aug. 4 in Yankee Stadium. The right-hander built up to 53 pitches in his rehab outing Tuesday, tossing four scoreless innings with one hit allowed and four strikeouts. Urquidy wasn't pitching particularly well before the injury (5.20 ERA), with home runs being his downfall on a number of occasions, but he will likely have streaming appeal here and there down the stretch.

Lodolo (lower leg) threw a side session Friday and is now targeting a return in late August, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Reds manager David Bell had previously suggested Lodolo wouldn't be an option for the big-league club until September. However, the lefty has already shed his walking boot and had his estimated return date moved up. Lodolo still has hurdles to clear before he heads out on a rehab assignment, but teammate Hunter Greene (hip) is targeting an Aug. 20 return and it sounds like Lodolo won't be far behind.

Greene (hip) has an estimated return date of Aug. 20, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Greene emerged from Tuesday's side session no worse for wear and threw live batting practice Friday, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The right-hander has been out since mid-June with right hip issues and has been working lately on strengthening core stability. A specific target date for his return has now come into focus, with starts in the minors on a rehab assignment looking likely, perhaps starting next weekend.

Eflin (knee) played catch without issue Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Eflin was removed from his last start Wednesday against the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, but an MRI taken Thursday came up clean and he could potentially take the hill on normal rest next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The 29-year-old boasts an 11-6 record, 3.64 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 116:17 K:BB through 116.1 innings (20 starts) this season.