MLB Player News

Blackburn took a no-decision Thursday against the Rays, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in two innings. He struck out three.

Blackburn served as opener of a bullpen game Thursday, serving up a solo home run to the red-hot Junior Caminero in the first inning. However, the three punchouts were a season best for the 30-year-old right-hander, who has made 29 relief appearances as opposed to a pair of brief starts this year. Blackburn hasn't offered much fantasy viability but has been an effective member of New York's pitching staff, posting a 2.31 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB over 46.2 innings.

Rasmussen (7-5) took the loss Thursday against the Yankees, allowing six runs on seven hits and no walks in 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

The third inning was a disastrous one for Rasmussen, who managed just one out and was touched up for each of his season-worst six runs in the frame. The seven hits allowed matched a season high, and the 30-year-old right-hander came away with his shortest outing of the campaign, as well. Rasmussen, who has coughed up 11 runs in his two July starts after yielding only three across five June appearances, seems to be heading into the All-Star break at the right time, holding what's still a strong 3.26 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 98:17 K:BB over 99.1 innings.

Dingler (thumb) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Dingler had to exit Wednesday's game after a foul tip caught him in the right thumb. X-rays came back clean, and Dingler said Thursday that he's feeling "10 times better" a day after the injury, per Logan Reever of Detroit SportsNet. Dingler will avoid the 10-day injured list and is considered day-to-day as he waits for the swelling in his thumb to subside. Jake Rogers is catching for the Tigers on Thursday, and Eduardo Valencia has been called up for depth behind the plate.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Diaz will retreat to the bench Thursday after going 2-for-7 with a pair of strikeouts through the first two games of the series. Kyle Higashioka will replace him as the Rangers' backstop and bat seventh.

Jung (knee) will start at third base and bat fourth Thursday against the Angels.

Knee discomfort has kept Jung out of the starting nine for Texas' last three games, but the issue appears to have subsided ahead of Thursday's series finale. The 28-year-old will aim to finish the first half strong after going 10-for-28 (.357) with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored in his last seven games before getting hurt.

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Smith went 6-for-21 with a home run and a triple in six games since returning from an earlier stint in the minors, but it wasn't enough to keep him from getting sent back down. The transaction clears a spot on the active roster for the return of Wyatt Langford from the injured list.

The Rangers activated Langford (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Langford is skipping a rehab assignment and will go directly back onto the Rangers' active roster after missing just shy of two weeks due to a strained left hamstring. He will serve as the designated hitter and bat second in Thursday's game against the Angels.

Kurtz (illness) will serve as the designated hitter and bat second during Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Kurtz was pulled from Wednesday's game in the second inning after he came down with an illness, but he's feeling well enough to return to the starting nine for Thursday's series finale. The 23-year-old has fallen into a minor cold spell at the plate recently, going 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts across his last four contests.

Wacha (5-7) took the loss Thursday against the Mets, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Wacha held the Mets to one run through his first four innings, but he'd unravel in the fifth, when New York would score five runs, including three with two outs. Wacha's performances have been up and down of late -- he's gone 1-5 with a 5.33 ERA in his last eight outings (49 innings). The right-hander figures to head into the All-Star break with a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 96:34 K:BB across 19 starts (119.1 innings) this season.

The Tigers recalled Valencia from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Valencia has spent the entire season in Triple-A, slashing .267/.353/.486 with 16 homers, 49 RBI and 56 runs scored across 331 plate appearances. He'll now be called upon to provide the big club with depth behind the plate while Dillon Dingler manages a thumb injury. Valencia will be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.