MLB Player News

Eflin was removed from Saturday's game versus Tampa Bay due to a lower-back strain, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Eflin noticed the issue while warming up in the bullpen prior to his start but thought he could pitch through it. However, the right-hander struggled through a four-run first inning before he was pulled, and it's logical to assume that the back issue contributed to the rough frame. Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino indicated following the contest that Eflin may need to get imaging done on his back, and it's unclear at this time if the veteran hurler will need a stint on the IL. The Orioles do have one injured starter close to returning to the rotation, as Cade Povich (hip) threw 75 pitches in a rehab start Thursday.

Bassitt (7-4) took the loss against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits and four walks while striking out three across two-plus innings.

Bassitt entered Saturday's game having logged three quality starts over his last four outings. That momentum came to a crashing halt, as the veteran right-hander gave up three runs in each of the three innings he pitched, recording just six outs while tossing 70 pitches (44 strikes). The eight earned runs Bassitt gave up Saturday were as many as he yielded over his previous three starts combined, which inflates his ERA to 4.29 and WHIP to 1.36 across 94.1 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is lined up to come against the Yankees at home next week.

Buxton went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 10-5 loss to the Tigers.

Getting a partial breather as the DH but still batting leadoff, Buxton continued a barrage that has seen him bat .340 (16-for-47) over the last 12 games with eight home runs, three steals, 10 RBI and 14 runs. The 31-year-old's 19 homers in only 66 contests this year match the second-highest total of his career, behind the 28 long balls he slugged in 2022 in just 92 contests. He's also a perfect 15-for-15 on the basepaths, which is his best performance in that category since he stole 29 bags on just 30 attempts in 2017. If Buxton can stay healthy, something he's been unable to do throughout his career, he's tracking toward a truly special campaign.

Manager Will Venable said after Saturday's game that Cannon (back) will start for the White Sox on Sunday against the Giants, Jack Ankony of SI.com reports.

Venable said pregame that Cannon could potentially start Sunday's game, but the skipper left no doubt in the matter with his postgame comments. It'll be Cannon's first MLB appearance since being placed on the 15-day injured list June 3 due to a lower-back strain. The 24-year-old made one rehab start, throwing three scoreless innings with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. Cannon threw 48 pitches in the outing, so some sort of pitch limit should be expected.

Ober (4-6) took the loss Saturday, coughing up seven runs on 11 hits -- including four home runs -- and a walk over 5.2 innings as the Twins were downed 10-5 by the Tigers. He struck out five.

Detroit put at least one run on the board in seven straight frames beginning in the second inning, and Ober served up long balls in four straight frames starting in the third, getting taken deep by Kerry Carpenter, Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry. The right-hander has had trouble keeping the ball in the yard in the past, but not to this extent, and over his last six starts Ober has surrendered an incredible 15 home runs in only 34 innings, leading to an 8.47 ERA over that span. He'll try to snap a 10-start winless streak in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Rays.

Schmidt (4-4) took the loss Saturday as the Yankees were downed 7-0 by the A's, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander saw his scoreless streak end at 28.1 innings when Brent Rooker launched a solo shot in the fourth inning, and Schmidt then served up a three-run blast to rookie Nick Kurtz in the sixth. It was the first time since April 21 that Schmidt had been tagged for more than three runs, and over 11 starts since then he sports a 2.45 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 63:23 K:BB in 66 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Kurtz went 1-for-4 with a walk, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Yankees.

The rookie slugger took Clarke Schmidt deep in the sixth inning to break open a tight 1-0 contest. Kurtz has been crushing the ball since returning from a hip issue earlier in June, and over his last 13 games he's batting .327 (16-for-49) with seven homers and 15 RBI.

Perkins allowed one hit and two walks over 3.1 scoreless innings of relief Saturday to record his first career save in a 7-0 win over the Yankees. He struck out three.

The rookie right-hander has been outstanding over his first two big-league appearances, firing 6.1 scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB. Both outings have come in relief of JP Sears, who has a 5.09 ERA on the season even after Saturday's combined shutout. The fact that the A's are keeping Perkins stretched out and on the same schedule as the southpaw could be a sign the team plans to have him move into the rotation in Sears' spot sooner rather than later.

Sears (6-7) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over 5.2 innings in a 7-0 victory over the Yankees. He struck out four.

Facing the team that traded him west back in 2022 as part of the Frankie Montas deal, Sears tossed 48 of 90 pitches for strikes, as he fell one out shy of his first quality start since May 4. Saturday's performance was a much-needed turnaround after he'd gone 1-5 with a 7.90 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB over his prior nine outings and 41 innings, but it may have come too late to save Sears' spot in the A's rotation -- in each of his last two trips to the mound, top prospect Jack Perkins has dazzled in long relief, and the duo may switch roles in the near future. Sears currently lines up to make his next start at home next weekend against the Giants.

Drake's next start will come with Triple-A Round Rock, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reported Saturday.

Drake is one of the top pitching prospects in the Rangers organization, and he's accumulated a 2.44 ERA and a 70:22 K:BB in 12 starts with Double-A Frisco this season. The 24-year-old was an 11th-round pick in the 2022 MLB First-Year Player Draft.