MLB Player News

Sears (1-6) allowed seven runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out five over four-plus innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Yankees.

Not only was Sears' performance lackluster, but his Oakland teammates couldn't muster a baserunner against Yankees starter Domingo German. Prior to Wednesday, Sears had allowed all of nine runs over his first four starts in June. The southpaw saw his ERA rise to 4.43 with a 1.08 WHIP and 85:20 K:BB through 87.1 innings over 16 starts this season. Sears will attempt to bounce back in his projected road start in Detroit next week.

German evened his record at 5-5 while throwing the 24th perfect game in major-league history Wednesday, striking out nine in an 11-0 win over the Athletics.

After two straight awful starts versus the Red Sox and the Mariners in which he allowed 17 runs (15 earned) over just 5.1 innings, German responded with the best outing of his career. The right-hander was efficient, throwing 99 pitches (72 strikes) to complete the rare feat. His perfect game was the first of the pitch-clock era and the first in the majors since Felix Hernandez achieved the feat Aug. 15, 2012. For the season, German now owns a 4.54 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 78:25 K:BB over 81.1 innings across 15 starts. His encore is tentatively scheduled for a home game versus the Orioles next week.

Wentz (1-9) allowed six runs (four earned) on nine hits across 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Rangers. He walked two and struck out five.

Wentz dropped to 0-6 in his last nine starts with a 7.41 ERA during that stretch. The lefty wasn't much better before then, either, going 1-3 with a 6.09 ERA over his first seven appearances of the year. Wentz can't be trusted as a fantasy asset, but he figures to stick in Detroit's rotation for now with the team thin on rotation options due to injuries. He's penciled in to start again next Wednesday against Oakland.

May (forearm) played catch Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

May has been on the injured list since May 18 with a right forearm strain, and Wednesday marks the first time he's thrown since then. There is still no plan in place for May to return, but it is certainly a positive sign to see him throwing once again. The 25-year-old righty held a 2.63 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through 48 innings across nine starts before getting injured.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw went through his usual post-start workout Wednesday and is expected to make his next start after requesting to be removed from Tuesday's win over Colorado, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw tossed a gem Tuesday, holding the Rockies hitless until there were two outs in the sixth inning and finishing with six scoreless frames. However, he asked to be removed after tossing just 79 pitches, later explaining that he "didn't feel great overall" and "just needed to come out right there," per Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com. Kershaw also suggested that he expects to make his next start, and Roberts indicated support for that notion one day later, though he also suggested that he's not sure when that start may be. That could mean Kershaw is pushed back a day or two, though such a scenario is only speculation at this point.

Maeda (1-5) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against Atlanta. He struck out four.

Maeda began his start by issuing a walk to Ronald Acuna, who would then come around to score on a Matt Olson double after stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. The right-hander would allow the leadoff man to reach again in the third, which would cost him as Atlanta took a 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly. Maeda gave up only two runs on the afternoon after shutting out the Tigers over five innings in his return from the injured list last week, but he was still tagged with the loss for the fifth time in his last six starts. He'll look for his second win when the Twins take on the Royals at home next week.

Allard did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three hits and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings against the Twins. He struck out eight.

Allard couldn't have asked for a better start to his outing, as he struck out the side in the first inning as Minnesota's hitters fell victim to his four-seam fastball. The lefty struck out six of the first nine batters he faced and really only got into trouble in the fifth after surrendering a single and a walk to open the inning. He struck out the next two batters before being relieved by Kirby Yates and eventually taking the no-decision. He made a strong case to stick around with Wednesday's scoreless outing, and with Jared Shuster optioned Wednesday, it looks like Allard will get at least one more start in the immediate future.

Boyd underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday on his left elbow, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It was just announced Tuesday that Boyd would require the reconstructive elbow procedure and he has already gone under the knife. The 32-year-old impending free agent will likely be sidelined until late 2024.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Wednesday that Pfaadt will be called up from Triple-A Reno to start Thursday against the Rays at Chase Field.

Tampa Bay represents a tough initial assignment for the 24-year-old top prospect as he returns to the major-league rotation, but it's looking like he might be in for an extended stay with Merrill Kelly (calf) battling a blood clot. Pfaadt has posted an encouraging 3.16 ERA and 28:5 K:BB in 25.2 innings (five starts) with Reno since being optioned back to the minors in late May. He struggled to an 8.37 ERA across his first five major-league starts earlier this year but seemingly has the goods to take full advantage of his second big-league stint.

Stroman (finger) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

If the workout goes smoothly, Stroman should be locked in for his next scheduled turn in the Cubs' rotation this weekend versus the Guardians. He had a blister open up on his right index finger Sunday in London against the rival Cardinals.