MLB Player News
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Logan Webb SP | SF
Giants' Logan Webb: Peppered in loss
Webb (9-7) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on 11 hits and a walk over six innings as the Giants were downed 6-3 by the Blue Jays. He struck out one.
The right-hander wasn't hit especially hard, but the damage added up from three doubles and eight singles. It's only Webb's second loss in nine starts since the beginning of June, a stretch in which he's delivered a 3.39 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 56:12 K:BB over 58.1 innings. He'll look for a better result in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Mets.
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Richard Fitts SP | STL
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: In line to start Tuesday
Fitts is scheduled to start Tuesday's road game in Philadelphia, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
After Hunter Dobbins (knee) was ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL, Fitts was called up from Triple-A Worchester on July 12 to fill his spot on the active roster. Fitts went unused out of the bullpen in Boston's final two games before the All-Star break, but he'll assume Dobbins' spot in the rotation to begin the second half. The right-hander could end up being in line for an extended stay in the rotation, as Tanner Houck (elbow) suffered a setback during his rehab assignment and now seemingly isn't a candidate to return from the injured list anytime soon.
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Noah Schultz SP | CHW
White Sox's Noah Schultz: Scratched from minor-league start
Schultz isn't starting as scheduled for Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday due to right knee discomfort, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Schultz had been slated to start Saturday night, but he isn't going to be able to take the mound due to the knee issue. The lefty prospect was promoted to Charlotte on June 14 and has started three games for the affiliate, struggling to an 11.91 ERA, 2.34 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB over 11.1 innings. It's not yet clear how much time Schultz will need to miss.
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Tanner Houck SP | BOS
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Back from assignment, still inactive
The Red Sox returned Houck (elbow) from his rehab assignment Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Although Houck's 30-day rehab window is now closed, the fact that Boston has yet to activate him indicates he isn't quite ready to return. The 29-year-old righty posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 15.2 innings during his five-start assignment, though he gave up only one run in his final two outings (9.1 IP). He also owns a hefty 8.04 ERA through 43.2 frames in the majors this year, so there's no guarantee he'll have a place in the Sox's rotation whenever he is activated.
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Ken Waldichuk SP | WAS
Athletics' Ken Waldichuk: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
The Athletics activated Waldichuk (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery last May and had spent all season on the injured list up to this point. He kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment in late June and tallied a 7.63 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB over 15.1 innings spanning six appearances between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The lefty threw 141 frames for the Athletics in 2023 and could certainly make his way back to the big club in due time, but he'll likely first need to harness his control issues in the minors before getting a look in the MLB rotation.
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Shane Smith RP | CHW
White Sox's Shane Smith: Lands on IL with ankle sprain
The White Sox placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a left ankle sprain.
It's not clear when Smith hurt his ankle, though the move is retroactive to July 16 -- one day after the All-Star Game, during which the rookie hurler threw 10 pitches over one-third of an inning. With Smith landing on the IL, Chicago recalled reliever Wikelman Gonzalez from Triple-A, but it's uncertain who (if anybody) will slide into the rotation in the short term. The White Sox have opted for bullpen games on a few occasions this season and could go that route again until Smith is ready to return, which won't be until the beginning of August at the earliest.
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Zebby Matthews P | MIN
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Activated ahead of start
The Twins reinstated Matthews (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.
After missing more than a month with a shoulder strain, Matthews will return from the IL and start Saturday's game versus Colorado. The 25-year-old is coming off a brilliant minor-league start, during which he struck out nine batters in four shutout frames, and he'll be welcomed back to the big leagues by a Rockies offense that ranks 27th in MLB with a .673 OPS this season. Travis Adams was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Keider Montero SP | DET
Tigers' Keider Montero: Returns to starting role Saturday
Montero is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Rangers in Arlington.
After getting called up from Triple-A Toledo on July 7 and notching a quality start in a win over the Rays later that day, Montero shifted to the bullpen for the Tigers' final series before the All-Star break, covering three innings and allowing three runs in an appearance against the Mariners last Saturday. Montero will move back into the rotation to begin the second half, though his hold on a starting role could be tenuous. Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck) is in the midst of a rehab assignment and could bump Montero from the rotation once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.
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Sean Manaea RP | NYM
Mets' Sean Manaea: Still not fully stretched out
Manaea came away with a no-decision in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Reds, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.
Making his first start and second appearance of the season after a lengthy recovery from a spring oblique strain and then elbow trouble in June, Manaea was sharp but got lifted after only 69 pitches (42 strikes), as the Mets prioritize his long-term health and having him available for a playoff push later in the year. The decision to give the 33-year-old lefty the hook cost New York, as the bullpen immediately coughed up a 2-1 lead. Manaea should get stretched out enough to at least work five innings and qualify for a win in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Angels.