MLB Player News

Ray (7-6) allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 in 6.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Athletics.

Ray ran his streak of dominance up to five starts -- he's given up three runs across his last 33.2 innings, though he's been unlucky to earn only two wins in that span. The southpaw also gave up his first home run in that stretch when Elvis Andrus took him deep in the seventh inning. Sunday's start was also Ray's fourth of the year with double-digit strikeouts. He has a 3.62 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 117:36 K:BB through 104.1 innings. The 30-year-old is lined up for a home start against his former team, the Blue Jays, next weekend.

Verlander will start Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Jake Odorizzi (lower leg) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's matchup against Kansas City, and the Astros plan to utilize a six-man rotation this week. Verlander has tossed 97.1 innings over 15 starts this season, and manager Dusty Baker said that the right-hander is being pushed back a few days to help manage his workload and preserve his long-term health.

Odorizzi (lower leg) will start Monday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will utilize a six-man rotation this week with Odorizzi returning to action, while Justin Verlander will be pushed back to start Thursday to manage his workload. Odorizzi recently made a pair of rehab starts and posted a 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while striking out 10 in eight innings.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Angels, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks with 13 strikeouts.

Valdez brought his strikeout stuff Sunday, though that led to control issues as the 13 strikeouts and five walks were both season highs. At one point, the 28-year-old recorded 12 straight outs via strikeout during an erratic span that also featured all five walks and both runs on his ledger. The impressive performance continues a string of 13 consecutive quality starts, and Valdez now sits alone atop the MLB leaderboard with 14. He lines up to take the mound again next weekend on the road against Oakland.

Suarez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a low back spasm Sunday, retroactive to June 30.

Suarez gave up four runs in 6.2 innings during Wednesday's start against Atlanta, and it's possible that his injury contributed to his struggles. He'll be forced to miss at least two weeks due to the issue. The Phillies haven't yet announced their updated rotation plans, but Cristopher Sanchez and Kent Emanuel are candidates to serve as starters.

Montas was removed one inning into his start Sunday against the Mariners for an unspecified reason, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. He gave up one run on two hits and struck out one prior to departing.

According to Gallegos, Montas' fastball velocity over his 13 pitches was significantly lower than his 96 mile-per-hour season average heading into the start, so his removal appears to be linked to an injury rather than due to an imminent trade. In any case, the Athletics should provide an update on Montas' status later in the contest or after it concludes. Austin Pruitt came on in relief and is expected to cover multiple innings in the wake of Montas' departure.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Sunday that DeSclafani will undergo surgery on his right ankle July 12, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Surgery was floated as a possibility for DeSclafani after he landed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a recurrence of inflammation in the ankle, the same injury that sidelined him for two months before he returned from the shelf to make two starts. After the Giants reassessed DeSclafani on Saturday, the pitcher will elect to go under the knife with the hope of resolving the ankle injury once and for all. Kapler wasn't able to provide a timeline for DeSclafani's return from surgery, but another multi-month absence could be in the forecast for the 32-year-old right-hander.

The Red Sox called Seabold up from Triple-A Worcester and will have him start Sunday's series finale in Chicago versus the Cubs, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Despite getting roughed up for seven earned runs over 4.2 innings Monday in Toronto in his 2022 MLB debut, Seabold will get another turn through the rotation due in large part to the Red Sox's lack of healthy starting depth. Even against a non-contending Cubs squad, Seabold likely won't make for an appealing streaming option in most fantasy leagues.

Quintana won't start Sunday's game against the Brewers, as Zach Thompson (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will take the hill for the Pirates instead, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Quintana initially looked in line for a two-start week, but he'll miss out on the two-step after the Pirates elected to activate Thompson to have him start in the series finale with Milwaukee. As a result of the change, the veteran left-hander now looks on track to make his next turn through the Pittsburgh rotation Tuesday against the Yankees at home.

Springs (personal) will rejoin the Rays and start Tuesday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Springs ended up staying home during the team's trip to Toronto to deal with a family medical matter. While Springs allowed three home runs his last time out, he's been fantastic overall this season in his hybrid starter/reliever role, posting a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 60 innings. There's little reason to think his workload will be significantly limited in his return.