MLB Player News

Springs allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Royals. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

Springs returned from the injured list Sunday and showed signs of rust early. He coughed up an RBI single to Bobby Witt in the first inning followed by an RBI sacrifice fly to Nick Pratto in the second. Springs lowered his season ERA to 2.50 with a 72:15 K:BB through 68.1 frames. However, over his last four starts, he's posted a 5.30 ERA across 18.2 innings. Springs is lined up to face Cleveland at home next week.

Kershaw allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings, taking a no-decision in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Kershaw was inefficient, needing 94 pitches (60 strikes) to record 13 outs. He was relieved by Yency Almonte after allowing a game-tying, two-run home run to Darin Ruf in the fifth inning. This was only the third time Kershaw's failed to complete five frames this season, and it was also the third time he's allowed more than two runs. The 34-year-old southpaw still has a 2.49 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 81:14 K:BB through 76 innings in 13 starts. He's lined up for a road start in Colorado next weekend.

Ray (8-7) allowed six runs on 10 hits and struck out only one in three innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Astros.

Ray gave up a solo home run to each of the first two batters he faced (Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena). It didn't get better from there for the Mariners ace, as he allowed three more runs in the second inning and another in the third before he was pulled at 62 pitches. There was no report of an injury for Ray, so it's possible this was just rust after he went nine days between starts. His quality start streak ended at seven, and he now has a 3.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 136:38 K:BB through 120 innings in 20 starts. He's projected for a road start against these same Astros next week.

Valdez (9-4) earned the win Sunday over the Mariners. He allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

Valdez kept the Mariners off the board through six innings, but they were able to get to him in the seventh. The All-Star break didn't slow down the southpaw, who has now posted 16 straight quality starts. The eight strikeouts were also his second-highest total of the year. Valdez owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 110:44 K:BB through 121.2 innings in 19 starts. He's projected for a home rematch with the Mariners next weekend.

Lauer allowed four runs on six hits and three walks, striking out three in 4.1 innings of a 10-9 win Sunday over Colorado. He did not factor into the decision.

Lauer managed to hold Colorado to two runs through the first four innings but couldn't make it through the fifth after Kris Bryant smashed a two-run homer with one out. It was the 20th homer the lefty has allowed in 100.2 innings this season, 12 of which have come in his last 44 innings of work. He's managed to compile a 3.84 ERA, but peripheral stats suggest that he's been fairly lucky in his 18 starts. He'll need to figure out a way to keep the ball in the ballpark over the last two months of the season to maintain decent production. His next start will likely be next weekend in Boston.

Mikolas (7-8) took the loss Sunday in Cincinnati, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings.

All six runs against Mikolas came in the third and fourth innings. He allowed singles to three of the first four batters and, following a sacrifice fly, Joey Votto tagged him for a three-run, two-out blast in the third. In the next frame, a walk and two singles led to two more runs. It was the first time Mikolas allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 3. He's now given up six homers in his last 30.2 innings. His next start will likely be next weekend in Washington.

Mahle (4-7) earned the win Sunday over St. Louis, striking out five in six innings while allowing three runs on two hits and three walks.

Mahle took the mound for the first time since July 2 and did enough to get the win over the Cardinals. Outside of Paul Goldschmidt, Mahle held St. Louis hitless. It just so happened that both Goldschmidt hits were long balls, accounting for all three of the Cardinals' runs. Mahle was fairly efficient, needing only 79 pitches to complete the six frames, but also somewhat erratic, throwing only 47 of those pitches for strikes. Over his last eight starts, he has a 2.81 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 57:16 K:BB in 51.1 innings. He'll likely start next weekend against Baltimore in what could be his final start for the Redlegs.

Lynch (hand) will report to Triple-A Omaha on Monday to begin a rehab assignment.

Lynch landed on the shelf July 17 with a blister on his pitching hand, but he's now healthy and will head to the minors to ramp up before being reactivated. The left-hander won't be eligible to rejoin the Royals until Aug. 1, and it's unclear if he'll require a second rehab outing after Monday's appearance.

Gray (5-3) earned the victory Sunday in Detroit, striking out seven in six innings while allowing a run on two hits, a walk and a hit batsman.

Gray retired the first 10 batters he faced and then ran into a little bit of trouble in the fourth when a hit-by-pitch, a walk and a single led to Detroit's lone run. He returned to form after that and retired seven of the last eight batters he faced. After starting the season with a 2.17 ERA through his first 10 starts, the 32-year-old struggled in his first three starts in July, allowing 14 runs in 13.1 innings while posting an 8:6 K:BB. Sunday's start was a step in the right direction, and his seven strikeouts were his most since May 24. The Tigers have not fared well against Gray this season as he's allowed one run on six hits in 13 innings while fanning 17.

Manager Dave Roberts said Heaney (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Nationals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old has made only one start in the majors since mid-June, but he's poised to rejoin Los Angeles' rotation this weekend versus Washington. Heaney covered five innings during his final rehab start last Thursday, and Roberts previously indicated the left-hander could be limited to about 75 pitches per start, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.