MLB Player News

The Yankees optioned Schmidt to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

After striking out five while tossing three scoreless innings last Thursday in a spot start against the Rays, Schmidt moved back to the bullpen this week when Luis Severino was cleared to return from the COVID-19-related injured list. Schmidt appeared in both of the past two games and gave up one earned run over 1.2 innings, and he'll now be moved off the 26-man active roster with the Yankees needing to clear room for waiver pickup Albert Abreu. It's unclear if the Yankees plan to have Schmidt stretch out for starting duty at Triple-A or if he'll continue working as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Smyly (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's the second side session of the week for Smyly, whose strained right oblique apparently responded well to Tuesday's throwing workout. If all goes well Friday, Smyly could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice early next week.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Dodgers, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander gave up more than three earned runs for the first time this season as he saw his quality start streak end at four, but Castillo exited with the score tied 4-4 after throwing 103 pitches (61 strikes). He has struck out at least six batters in five of his last six outings, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB through 35.1 innings over that stretch, and Castillo seems just about back to top form after his delayed start to the campaign due to a sore shoulder.

Anderson didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Reds, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out two.

The veteran lefty got tagged for three runs in the second inning to put the Dodgers in an early hole, but the game was tied by the time Anderson exited and Los Angeles pulled away late. He tossed 58 of 81 pitches for strikes, but he got hit hard as four of the five hits off him went for extra bases, including an Albert Almora solo shot in the fifth. Anderson still carries an unblemished 8-0 record on the season with a dazzling 3.00 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, but he's showing signs of slowing down. He has a 4.41 ERA over his last three outings that nearly matches his 4.45 career mark.

Clevinger didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

Making his first start since June 5, Clevinger tossed 50 of 81 pitches for strikes before exiting, and his only real mistake resulted in a solo shot by Alek Thomas. The veteran right-hander has a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB through 23 innings over six appearances (five starts) this season, and while the Padres will continue to treat him with kid gloves in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2020, he should be able to pitch long enough to qualify for a win in his next outing.

Whitley (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out two across two scoreless innings in a rehab appearance with Single-A Fayetteville on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley made his second rehab appearance as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He threw 21 of his 29 pitches for strikes. Whitley will continue to ramp up his workload with a couple more rehab starts before being activated from the injured list, when he will likely enter the rotation for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Gomber allowed three earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two across 1.2 innings Wednesday against the Marlins.

Gomber made his first appearance since being demoted to a relief role. He retired the first two batters he faced but served up back-to-back homers to Jazz Chisholm and Jorge Soler to sour the appearance. Gomber has a disastrous 6.68 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 64.2 frames on the season.

Gray (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 4-2 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five.

Aside from a third-inning homer by Kyle Schwarber, Gray did a good job keeping the Phillies' dangerous offense in check, but he got lifted after 102 pitches (73 strikes) and came one out short of his third straight quality start. Gray is putting together a solid season outside of Colorado, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB through 64.2 innings.

Wheeler (6-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Phillies fell 4-2 to the Rangers, giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander wasn't particularly sharp, needing 99 pitches (63 strikes) to record 13 outs, but he also got let down by both the Phillies' offense and the team's usual poor defense. The outing snapped a string of six straight quality starts for Wheeler, who still sports a 2.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 86:18 K:BB through 74.2 innings on the year.

Eickhoff (0-1) allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Cubs.

Eickhoff had a disastrous first outing with the Pirates. In the second inning, he allowed the first five batters he faced to reach base, which resulted in seven runs. Prior to being recalled, Eickhoff posted a 4.84 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB across 48.1 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis. He should have the chance to stick in the rotation so long as Zach Thompson (forearm) is sidelined, though Eickhoff doesn't have a recent track record of success at the big-league level.