MLB Player News

Boyd (elbow) fired two scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts in Triple-A Tacoma's win over Salt Lake on Tuesday.

The impressive effort, which earned Boyd the second hold of his rehab assignment, was a welcome rebound after he'd given up a pair of runs over two innings in his prior appearance with the Rainiers. The left-hander actually threw fewer pitches Tuesday (23) than in that outing (40) due to a much more efficient performance which saw Boyd pound 17 of his offerings in for strikes. The 31-year-old now has three scoreless efforts in his first four trips to the mound with Tacoma, but he's likely to still log at least one more appearance before activation is considered.

Baz (elbow) said that he's been cleared to resume a throwing program Monday and remains hopeful he'll return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz is ready to begin the ramp-up process following a four-week shutdown due to a right elbow sprain. Given that Baz missed the first two months of the season after requiring an arthroscopic procedure on his elbow in late March, the Rays are likely to proceed cautiously with him during his throwing program. At this stage of the season, Baz may not have enough time to build up for a starting role, but if he avoids any setbacks during the rehab process, he could have some value to the Rays as a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen down the stretch.

Anderson opted out of his minor-league contract with the Rays on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Anderson will hit the open market for the third time this season, as he was previously released by the Tigers in April before re-signing with Detroit shortly thereafter and then opting out of his contract. The veteran right-hander was productive over 10 innings with Triple-A Durham -- he posted a 3.60 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB -- but a promotion to the Rays wasn't in the cards. Anderson will look to join another organization that can presumably present him with a clearer path back to the big leagues.

Sanchez (2-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings against the Reds. He struck out seven.

Sanchez allowed solo home runs to outfielder Stuart Fairchild to open the scoring in the second and shortstop Kyle Farmer in the fourth. This was the lefty's eleventh outing in the major leagues this season but only his third start. The 25-year-old has surrendered three runs or fewer in all three starts and pitched five innings or more in two of them. In addition, he enjoys a 2.60 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 17.1 innings over his last six outings.

Houser (4-9) took the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 2.1 innings.

Houser returned from a stay on the injured list to make his first start in nearly two months, but the outing did not go well. The right-hander needed 81 pitches to retire just seven batters, and he was down 4-1 by the end of the first inning. Houser's wildness was partly to blame for the poor opening frame -- he walked the first two batters he faced and issued three free passes overall in the inning -- but things weren't working much better when he did get the ball over the plate. Houser has registered a 5.15 ERA over 16 starts this season, but he may stick in the rotation for now with Aaron Ashby (shoulder) on the injured list.

Heaney (2-1) earned the win over Milwaukee on Wednesday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters.

Heaney fell behind early after giving up a first-inning solo homer to Willy Adames, but the lefty hurler surrendered just one more run after that. He racked up 20 swinging strikes and finished with 10 punchouts for the second straight game. Heaney struggled despite the big strikeout total in his previous outing, but he registered one of his strongest starts of the campaign Wednesday. The veteran appears to have unlocked his best stuff since joining Los Angeles in the offseason -- through 41.2 innings, he's posted a 1.94 ERA and a 62:12 K:BB. His ability to remain healthy remains a question mark, however.

Bundy (7-6) was handed the loss by Houston on Wednesday. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits and one walk without notching a strikeout.

Bundy gave up a home run to Jose Altuve on his first pitch of the contest, but he settled down from there and limited the Astros to just one additional run over the remainder of his outing. The veteran right-hander induced only one swinging strike and failed to fan a single batter, yet he kept Minnesota in the game and could have had a better fate if not for the continued excellence of opposing starter Framber Valdez. Bundy has quietly pitched well in August, allowing just five runs and 12 hits over 19.1 innings despite earning only one win.

Valdez (13-4) picked up the win over Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over seven innings.

Valdez was a bit wild with four walks, but he surrendered only two base hits and completed seven innings for the third straight outing. He finished with his 21st consecutive quality start, surpassing the franchise record set by Mike Scott in 1986. Valdez has earned a win in five of his past six appearances, and he's already established a career-best mark with 13 victories on the campaign. The southpaw doesn't typically post huge strikeout numbers and has issued at least three passes in three of his past four starts, but he keeps rolling along as one of the game's most consistently effective starting pitchers.

Quantrill (10-5) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six over seven shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Padres.

Quantrill was able to keep his former team quiet. This was the right-hander's third scoreless outing in his last four starts. He's allowed eight runs in 32 innings in August, good for a 2.25 ERA with a 23:5 K:BB. For the season, he's pitched to a 3.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 94:38 K:BB through 143 innings across 24 starts. Quantrill is projected for a home start versus the Orioles next week.

Gallen did not factor in the decision against Kansas City on Wednesday despite pitching six scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and issued three walks while striking out six batters.

Gallen's three free passes tied a season high, but the Royals couldn't capitalize as the Arizona ace held them to only one extra-base hit and no runs. However, Kansas City starter Brady Singer was almost equally impressive, and Gallen left after six innings clinging to a one-run lead. A meltdown by the Diamondbacks' bullpen in the seventh then turned things around and cost Gallen a fifth straight win. Despite the disappointing outcome, this was another outstanding effort by the right-hander, who hasn't allowed any runs over 27.1 innings across his past four starts. Since the All-Star break, Gallen has gone 5-0 with a miniscule 0.80 ERA and a 49:10 K:BB over 45 frames.