MLB Player News

Bubic (7-6) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Bubic allowed two runs in the first inning but never had to pitch from behind as the Royals broke out for nine runs of support. He also allowed a solo home run to Eugenio Suarez in the sixth. Bubic has had a bit of a rough patch since the start of June, allowing 18 runs (16 earned) over 34.2 innings across six starts. Still, this was his sixth start of seven innings this season, which is impressive considering he worked primarily as a reliever in 2024 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bubic is now at a 2.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 107:32 K:BB through 103 innings over 17 starts this season, which has been his best year in the majors so far. The southpaw is projected to make his next start at home versus the Pirates.

Meyers went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

Meyers was one of four Astros to post three or more hits. He continues to be a steady bat in the lineup as the starting center fielder -- he's hitting .365 (27-for-74) over his last 20 games. On the year, he's up to a .309/.368/.407 slash line with three home runs, 21 RBI, 47 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 15 doubles and two triples through 86 games. Meyers has been hitting second in the order against all pitchers since Isaac Paredes was moved to the leadoff spot to cover the absence of Jeremy Pena (ribs).

Paredes went 1-for-5 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

He took Ben Casparius' first pitch of the game over the fence in left field. Paredes has gone 10-for-31 (.323) with two homers, three RBI and five runs scored over his last seven games. The infielder has looked good out of the leadoff spot since Jeremy Pena (ribs) landed on the injured list. Paredes has a .255/.357/.468 slash line with 18 homers, 48 RBI, 46 runs scored, no stolen bases, 11 doubles and one triple through 84 contests. His steady plate discipline makes him a viable leadoff hitter, though he shouldn't be expected to show any speed while atop the lineup.

Caratini went 3-for-5 with a grand slam, two doubles and a second run scored in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

Caratini has launched a pair of grand slams over his three games in July. He's 6-for-14 with eight RBI to begin the month in fine form. Overall, the catcher continues to perform well at the plate. He's slashing .254/.308/.429 with eight homers, 27 RBI, 21 runs scored and nine doubles across 208 plate appearances this season.

Funderburk is expected to be optioned to Triple-A before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, MLB.com reports.

Funderburk threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's loss at Miami, his only appearance since he was called up Wednesday. He'll likely continue to shuffle between Triple-A and the majors when the Twins need an extra lefty in the bullpen.

Walker went 4-for-5 with a home run, a hit-by-pitch, four RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

Walker delivered an RBI single in the first inning, a two-run homer in the third and drove in another run when he was plunked with the bases loaded in the sixth. After floundering a bit late in June, Walker is 10-for-19 with six RBI over four games to begin July. His homer Friday is his only extra-base hit of the month so far. The first baseman is at a .231/.293/.377 slash line with 11 long balls, 43 RBI, 35 runs scored, 12 doubles and one triple across 85 games this season.

Keaschall (forearm) has been hitting off a pitching machine and is awaiting final clearance before facing live pitching, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Keaschall's next step would be to face live pitching for a week or so and then start playing rehab games. The 22-year-old was given a recovery timeline of two months or more after being diagnosed with a fractured right forearm in late April. He'll likely need a lengthy rehab assignment, so it looks like he could return in late July or early August at this point.

Altuve went 3-for-3 with two home runs, one double, two walks, five RBI and four runs scored in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

Altuve hit a two-run blast in the third inning and then added a three-run homer as the Astros rallied for 10 runs in the sixth. The second baseman has logged three consecutive multi-hit efforts after going just 4-for-37 (.108) over the 11 games before this surge. He's now at a .269/.331/.443 slash line with 15 homers, 44 RBI, 46 runs scored and six stolen bases over 85 contests this season.

Alexander allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over three scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

The Astros' lead was never in doubt, so Alexander had plenty of runs to work with in the blowout win. He spared the rest of the team's bullpen, turning in a 57-pitch outing to earn the first save of his major-league career. He's still at an 8.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 15 innings between the Astros and the Athletics this year, though he's been much better in limited action with Houston as a swingman. It's unclear if he'll stay in the majors after his call-up Friday -- either way, he won't be available to pitch at any level for at least a few days.

McCullers (2-3) allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.

McCullers rebounded from giving up eight runs to the Cubs in his previous start after returning from a toe injury. While he earned a quality start Friday, he walked four batters for the third start in a row as control continues to be an issue for the right-hander. He's also had to deal with diminished velocity in his first major-league season since 2022. McCullers is at a 5.82 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB through 38.2 innings over nine starts this year. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.