MLB Player News

Schultz (knee) struck out seven and allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks across 4.2 innings Friday in a rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte.

Making the third start of his rehab assignment, Schultz built up to 74 pitches (52 strikes) and induced nine whiffs while averaging 95.4 mph with his four-seamer. The White Sox haven't confirmed Schultz's next step, but from both a workload and velocity standpoint, he looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list. Schultz could slot back into the White Sox rotation as soon as Wednesday in Baltimore.

Avila did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings against the White Sox.

Avila ran into trouble immediately, walking the first batter he faced before serving up a two-run homer to Miguel Vargas. He was tagged again in the second inning, allowing three consecutive hits that led to two more runs. Command continues to be the biggest concern for the right-hander, as he has now issued at least three walks in five of his six starts since joining the rotation. During that stretch, Avila owns a 5.68 ERA and 23:18 K:BB. His next start is set to come Sunday at home against the Phillies.

Torkelson went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Astros.

Torkelson started the contest on the bench and didn't enter until the eighth, but he provided a single in his first at-bat, then delivered his 13th home run of the season in the 10th. It was the slugger's first long ball since June 15, and he went just 7-for-37 with 11 strikeouts in between homers. Torkelson remains a boom-or-bust fantasy option who can be frustrating due to his propensity for falling into slumps.

Hoskins went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Mariners.

Hoskins entered the game as a pinch hitter for Kyle Manzardo in the seventh inning and made an immediate impact. After singling in his first plate appearance, he came through with a go-ahead two-run double in Cleveland's five-run eighth inning to help complete the comeback victory. The veteran's afternoon was a welcome boost amid an otherwise difficult month, as he is batting just .161 with a 35.2 percent strikeout rate in June.

McKinstry went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Astros,

McKinstry hit just his third home run of the season in the second inning to give the Tigers an early lead. It's mostly been an offensive struggle for the utility player, as he's batting just .191 with a .574 OPS, though he does now have consecutive multi-hit efforts. McKinstry is also seeing more regular time at shortstop recently, and he could start to raise his fantasy value a bit if he can string together a few more good performances.

Smith earned the save Sunday against the Mariners, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

After Cleveland erupted for five runs in the eighth inning, Smith was called on to protect a two-run lead. He allowed back-to-back singles before a throwing error by Victor Robles allowed a run to score. The right-hander stranded runners on second and third to preserve his 26th save of the season. Following a brief rough patch over his last few appearances, Smith has begun to steady himself and lower his ratios. He owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 57:10 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

Jansen (1-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss in Sunday's extra-inning contest against the Astros. He struck out one.

Jansen got through the top of the ninth inning of a 3-3 game without any problems, but things came unraveled in the 10th. The veteran started the frame by allowing a walk, a single and a three-run home run. The rough outing pushed Jansen's ERA from 4.26 up to 5.31. It's been a poor campaign overall with four blown saves and now four losses as well. He's become increasingly hard to trust in fantasy leagues.

Alexander will operate as the Rangers' opening pitcher Monday in Cleveland, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Alexander is set to become the first pitcher since 1969 to record saves in back-to-back games and then start the following contest. He'll likely handle no more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. The Rangers haven't indicated whether a pitcher will work in bulk relief behind Alexander, but Winston Santos is the freshest arm in the bullpen and had worked at least four innings in each of his last six outings at Double-A Frisco before being recalled Wednesday.

Williams did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings.

Williams threw 64 of his 103 pitches for strikes and generated 13 swinging strikes, but Seattle pushed across a run in the second inning before adding two more in the third. The right-hander was lifted after five innings, marking his fifth consecutive start without completing six frames after reaching at that mark in each of his previous eight outings. Williams will carry a 3.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 117:34 K:BB into his next scheduled start against the White Sox at home.

Hancock did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Guardians, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings.

Hancock bounced back nicely after consecutive five-run outings, holding Cleveland to just one hit through his first four innings. The Guardians finally broke through in the fifth, opening the frame with three straight singles before a sacrifice fly accounted for the lone run against the right-hander. Hancock exited in line for the win, but Seattle's bullpen surrendered five runs in the eighth inning to erase the lead. He now owns a 3.47 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 87:22 K:BB across 90.2 innings and is lined up to have his next outing at home against Toronto.