MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out three across two innings in a rehab outing with Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers appeared in his first game action since the 2021 postseason and managed to throw 40 pitches. He'll likely need a few more rehab appearances prior to being activated from the injured list, though he could be ready to return by mid-August.

Eflin (knee) is dealing with right patellofemoral pain and doesn't have a timetable to return, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Eflin was believed to be close to throwing a simulated game prior to the All-Star break, but the Phillies are now more concerned about his knee injury. He underwent tests during the All-Star break that didn't reveal structural damage, but he's no longer throwing off a mound and doesn't have a timetable to do so. Interim manager Rob Thomson said Eflin will go through a "really aggressive strengthening program" but won't resume mound work until he's making better progress in his recovery. The right-hander's injury isn't expected to end his season, but it's unclear when he'll be able to rejoin the Phillies.

Irvin (5-7) gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over seven-plus innings to earn the win in a 5-4 victory over the Rangers on Friday.

Irvin was excellent in his 17th start of the season. He got nine outs against the first nine batters faced and then strung together another three perfect innings from the fifth to the seventh. The eight strikeouts are a nice plus from a pitcher who entered Friday with a 6.1 K/9, although it appeared that Irvin was given the benefit of the doubt on a number of inside strike calls. Irvin now boasts a solid 3.08 ERA and 1.07 WHIP on the season. With a BABIP of .258 and an xERA of 4.50, it will be worth watching if his ratios regress. Irvin is tentatively expected to make his next start against the Astros next week.

Senzatela gave up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings in a 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Brewers on Friday. He did not factor into the decision.

Senzatela struggled to keep the ball in the ballpark despite pitching on the road at American Family Field. He gave up home runs off the bats of Willy Adames and Andrew McCutchen in the third before leaving the game after 95 pitches and five innings of work. The 27-year-old right-hander has struggled all season long and ranks in the lowest first percentile of all pitchers in xBA. It doesn't appear that the Rockies have many alternatives so Senzatela is expected to take the mound again versus the White Sox next week.

Burnes gave up two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in a 6-5 extra-innings win over the Rockies on Friday. He did not factor into the decision.

Burnes was effective over five innings of work, and he left the game in line for his eighth win of the season. However, he was forced to settle for the no-decision after the Brewers bullpen coughed up the lead in the sixth. The only damage which Burnes yielded came on a two-run home run to Charlie Blackmon. The 27-year-old right-hander has an elite 11.3 K/9 to go along with his 2.20 ERA. He will look to go deeper into the game in his next expected start against the Twins next week.

Giolito (6-6) took the loss Friday as the White Sox fell 8-2 to the Guardians, surrendering six runs on nine hits over three innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander filled up the strike zone, tossing 48 of 64 pitches for strikes before exiting, but he wasn't fooling anyone as he managed only five swinging strikes. Giolito has been tagged for at least five runs in four of his last seven starts, stumbling to a 6.87 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB through 38 innings over that stretch. His inconsistency even in seemingly plus matchups makes him a difficult pitcher to deploy right now in most fantasy formats.

Keller (5-10) gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out one over four innings to take the loss in 7-3 defeat to the Rays on Friday.

It was a bizarre night for Keller, who was bothered by liquid draining from his nose. Beginning in the fourth inning, he pitched with a thick roll of gauze hanging from his left nostril and struggled with his control. Keller issued two free passes in the frame before Yandy Diaz made Keller pay for his lack of control by hitting a bases-clearing three-RBI double. The 26-year-old right-hander carries an undesirable 68:37 K:BB into his next expected start against the Angels next week.

Rasmussen (6-3) gave up one earned run on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings to earn the win in a 7-3 victory over the Royals on Friday.

Rasmussen looked good in his first start back after the All-Star break, holding the Royals to only one run over five innings of work on 94 pitches. He has been solid since coming back from a hamstring injury at the beginning of July and boasts a 2.29 ERA in four starts this month. The 26-year-old right-hander has excellent spin on his fastball and opponents are hitting .245 on the four-seamer so far this season. Rasmussen tentatively lines up for another favorable matchup at Baltimore next week.

Quantrill (7-5) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk over five innings in an 8-2 victory over the White Sox. He struck out four.

The Guardians jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Quantrill even set foot on the mound, and the right-hander never let Chicago get close. He was wilder than his final line indicated, as he hit two batters with pitches and uncorked a wild pitch, but the White Sox couldn't take advantage. Quantrill exited after 97 pitches (58 strikes), and he'll carry a 3.75 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 67:31 K:BB through 105.2 innings into his next outing.

Morton didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-1 win over the Angels, allowing two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander was locked in a pitchers' duel with Shohei Ohtani through six innings, as neither hurler gave up a run. Morton then exited having tossed 105 pitches (65 strikes), and Atlanta promptly got to a fading Ohtani in the bottom of the seventh. Morton has delivered three quality starts in four trips to the mound in July, posting a 2.52 ERRA, 0.92 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB through 25 innings on the month as he continues to turn things around following a shaky beginning to the campaign.