MLB Player News

Hill (knee) allowed one run on four hits and struck out five over three innings for Double-A Portland on Thursday.

Hill was scheduled to go four innings, per Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican, in what was likely the first of multiple rehab starts. The left-hander threw 56 pitches and would seemingly need at least one more outing to build up his pitch count ahead of a return to the Boston rotation.

Davies faced live batters Tuesday at the Diamondbacks' spring training complex for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury and being placed on the injured list June 28, MLB.com reports.

Davies has had a succession of promising throwing sessions since July 19 and appears to be closing in on a return. His next outing has yet to be determined. It's unclear if the Diamondbacks intend to put him back in the rotation or continue experimenting with Tyler Gilbert and Corbin Martin.

Gilbert did not factor in the decision against Houston on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

Gilbert served up a two-run homer to Alex Bregman in the first inning, but he didn't allow the Astros to score again during his subsequent five frames. The right-hander has faced Houston in each of his past two starts and has ended up with almost identical stat lines, allowing two runs on five hits across six innings in each game. He didn't pick up a win in either outing though, and remains without a victory since he beat San Diego on July 5.

Urquidy completed 6.2 innings against Seattle on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Urquidy struck out only three batters for the second straight start, but he held the Mariners to two runs, both of which came in the third inning. The right-hander extended his streak of quality starts to eight dating back to June 14. Over that stretch, he's posted a 2.60 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 52 innings.

McKenzie (7-7) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six batters over seven innings.

McKenzie held the Red Sox scoreless through five frames, but he fell behind when Xander Bogaerts tagged him for a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Cleveland's offense couldn't muster an adequate response, and McKenzie ended up with his seventh loss of the season. Despite the disappointing outcome, the right-hander pitched well overall, racking up 14 swinging strikes and completing seven innings for the third time in his past five starts. McKenzie was hit hard during his final two starts in June, but he's bounced back by allowing just five earned runs while posting a 33:9 K:BB over 33.2 innings in July.

Whitlock earned the save over the Guardians on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings.

Kutter Crawford and Jake Diekman combined to limit Cleveland to one run over seven innings, and Whitlock took over in the eighth with Boston holding a 4-1 lead. The right-hander allowed a run in that frame but pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the save. Whitlock has picked up a two-inning save in each of his past two appearances, and given the ineffectiveness at the back end of Boston's bullpen this season, he could be emerging as the team's primary closer.

Crawford pitched 5.2 innings against Cleveland on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out two batters. He did not factor in the decision.

The rookie gave up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the fourth inning, but that was the only run the Guardians could muster against him. Crawford wasn't overpowering -- he picked up only two punchouts and induced only eight swings-and-misses -- but he was efficient in throwing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes. The right-hander fell one out shy of his third straight quality start, but it was nonetheless another effective outing that should strengthen his case to remain in the rotation even when Boston's staff returns to full health. Over his past five starts, Crawford has posted a 2.57 ERA and 26:4 K:BB across 28 innings.

Kikuchi (4-5) earned the win over Detroit on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Kikuchi was activated earlier in the day after spending three weeks on the injured list due to a neck strain, and he was able to give Toronto 67 pitches and five innings en route to the victory. The only run against him came on a second-inning home run off the bat of Willi Castro. Kikuchi has completed five innings in only seven of 17 starts this season, so it was particularly notable that he was able to reach that mark in his first contest coming off an injury.

Steele (4-7) allowed four unearned runs on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out six in 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Giants.

Errors early in the third and fourth innings ultimately allowed the Giants to tag Steele for a pair of runs in each of those frames. The Cubs' offense couldn't overcome the defensive shortcomings, sending the southpaw to defeat in his shortest outing since a two-inning effort May 26. Steele's ERA dropped to 3.86, but he has an unimpressive 1.43 WHIP and 87:42 K:BB through 91 innings in 19 starts this year. He's projected to make his next start in St. Louis next week.

Wood (7-8) allowed two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three in 6.2 innings to earn the win Thursday over the Cubs.

Wood put two runners on base in the first inning but went unscathed and carried a no-hitter in the seventh inning. He allowed a single to Ian Happ and a two-run home run to Patrick Wisdom, but that was all the scoring the Cubs mustered as Wood snapped the Giants' seven-game losing streak. The southpaw has had some uneven performances lately and ends July with eight runs allowed (five earned) in 27.1 innings across five starts. For the season, he's pitched to a 4.11 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 99:25 K:BB in 100.2 innings in 20 outings. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Dodgers next week.