MLB Player News

Lynch (finger) is listed as the Royals' starting pitcher for Saturday's game in Toronto, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

After a short stay on the injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, Lynch returned to the mound in Monday's doubleheader with the Tigers. He took the hill for the nightcap and worked four innings while allowing three runs (two earned) before departing with another injury to a digit on his left hand. This time around, Lynch suffered a cut on his left middle finger, but he appears to have completed his between-starts bullpen session without any major discomfort. He shouldn't have any restrictions when he returns to the rubber Saturday.

Walker and the Mets won't play Friday against the Cubs after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Walker has recorded quality starts in each of his last six outings and has posted a 1.85 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 39 innings across that span. Friday's matchup will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, and Walker will start in the matinee while Max Scherzer takes the mound for the second game of the twin bill, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Stroman and the Cubs won't play Friday against the Mets after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Friday's matchup will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday. Stroman will start the first game of the twin bill while Drew Smyly takes the mound in the nightcap, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. The right-hander returned from the injured list last Saturday and tossed four scoreless innings against the Dodgers.

Hill (knee) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hill keeps hitting checkpoints, first throwing off flat ground followed by a bullpen session. It's unknown if the lefty will need a rehab assignment, but one is likely given that Hill hasn't thrown in a game environment in two weeks.

Anderson (10-1) picked up the win over St. Louis on Thursday, completing six scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four.

Anderson didn't face much stress in the contest -- he surrendered only one extra-base hit, and no Cardinal made it to third base against him. The southpaw finished with his third straight quality start and eighth overall this season. Anderson isn't racking up huge strikeout numbers, but he's thriving thanks in part to a a career-best 1.6 BB/9. He's been a huge addition to a Dodgers staff that has been hit with multiple injuries this season, posting a 2.96 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 97.1 innings while becoming the seventh major-league pitcher to reach 10 victories.

Gray (4-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 3.2 innings.

Gray gave up a pair of first-inning runs and then served up a grand slam to Luis Robert in the fourth. All told, he surrendered season-worst marks of nine hits and six runs. The veteran hurler had a 2.17 ERA following a seven-inning quality start June 27, but he's faded badly in July. Over three starts this month, Gray has posted a 9.45 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 13.1 frames. His season ERA has consequently shot up to 3.71.

Cueto (4-4) earned the win over Minnesota on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

The outing got off to a rocky start for Cueto, as he left the bases loaded in the first inning and surrendered a run on three hits in the second. The veteran settled down from there, allowing just three more baserunners and ending the appearance with a flourish by striking out the side in the sixth frame. Cueto has now notched a quality start in nine of his 12 outings this season and in each of his last four. He's enjoying a resurgent campaign with a 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB over 74 innings.

Crawford pitched six-plus innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out six batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Crawford was splendid through six frames, holding the Rays scoreless and giving up just three hits. He was asked to come back out for the seventh, and things took a turn for the worse when the first three batters he faced got a hit against him. All three came around to score, cutting Crawford off from a chance for a victory. Despite the disappointing finish, it was another impressive outing by the rookie, who completed six innings for the first time as a major-leaguer and notched his first career quality start. Crawford has given up just four runs and struck out 20 batters over 16.1 frames across his past three appearances. However, Nathan Eovaldi (back/hip) is slated to return from the injured list this weekend, and Rich Hill (knee) and Michael Wacha (shoulder) could be back soon after the All-Star break, so Crawford may not be keeping his spot in the rotation.

Rasmussen did not factor in the decision against Boston on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Rasmussen got through three scoreless frames before Rafael Devers tagged him for a solo home run in the fourth. The right-hander gave up two more runs in the sixth but was able to complete the inning to notch his third quality start of the campaign. He departed in line for the loss, but a late Rays rally took him off the hook. Rasmussen notched a modest five strikeouts in the outing, but he racked up a more impressive 18 swinging strikes. He has made six starts since his last win, but he's allowed three or fewer runs in four of those appearances.

Lorenzen (shoulder) played catch Tuesday as the beginning of a throwing program, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Lorenzen went on the 15-day IL on July 7 due to a right shoulder strain. A subsequent MRI revealed no structural damage, and he's now been able to resume throwing. Lorenzen doesn't have a concrete timeline for a return, but he could be back soon after the All-Star break.