MLB Player News

Melton did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings.

Melton escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and carried a shutout into the sixth before allowing a leadoff single and a two-run homer to Isaac Collins, ending his afternoon. Despite the late damage, the right-hander continued his impressive consistency, holding opponents to two runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts this season. Melton owns a stellar 1.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 60 innings and is lined up to make his next start at home against the Orioles.

Dobnak did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three over five scoreless innings.

Dobnak delivered another effective outing, throwing 50 of 76 pitches for strikes while limiting Detroit to just six hard-hit balls. He generated 10 whiffs on 34 swings despite finishing with only three strikeouts. The veteran right-hander has allowed one run over his last 15 innings and owns a 1.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across four appearances since being recalled July 1. With Stephen Kolek (forearm) having been transferred to the 60-day injured list, Dobnak appears to have a clear path to remaining a part of the rotation.

The Athletics optioned Tur to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Tur was promoted for his major-league debut last week and was absolutely pounded across two appearances with the big club. He faced 24 batters and was able to record just eight outs while allowing 14 runs on 12 hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Manager Mark Kotsay openly wondered if Tur was tipping his pitches, according to Jason Burke of Roundtable.io. Tur will try to figure things out again with Las Vegas.

Cameron is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Beck Way in Friday's game against the Tigers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Way will likely cover the first inning or two before Cameron takes over for what will be his first career relief appearance in the majors. Cameron allowed at least five runs in four of his last five starts, so the Royals will hope to get better results from him by deploying him out of the bullpen behind an opener.

McGreevy (4-8) took the loss Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over 6.1 innings.

He was undone by a three-run fourth inning that included Tyler Locklear's two-run homer. McGreevy would give up another run in the fifth after Corbin Carroll led off the frame with a triple. Despite the loss, the right-hander continued his recent run of durability, as he has now completed at least six frames in eight of his last nine starts while posting a 3.17 ERA during that stretch. Even with the consistency, he has only one win in his last seven decisions. McGreevy owns a 3.07 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 74:27 K:BB across 114.1 innings this season. He is scheduled to make his next start at home versus the Cubs.

Way will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher Friday against the Tigers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Way will make his first major-league start after posting a 3.22 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 22.1 innings in 18 appearances with the Royals so far this season. The right-hander will likely be limited to no more than two innings on the mound, and southpaw Noah Cameron is expected to pitch in the contest in some capacity after Way's departure.

Arias will be promoted to Triple-A Worcester, Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Arias will make the jump to the Triple-A level after batting .318 with 19 home runs, 52 RBI, 50 runs scored and five stolen bases over 75 contests with Double-A Portland this season. The 20-year-old is considered Boston's top overall prospect, and he is now just one step away from making his major-league debut.

Pfaadt (5-1) earned the win Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one over six innings.

Pfaadt got off on the wrong foot Thursday, surrendering four consecutive hits to open the game, which led to two St. Louis runs in the first inning. He settled in from there, blanking the Cardinals over the next five frames while allowing just three more hits. The right-hander has won each of his five starts since re-joining the rotation in late June, posting a 2.33 ERA with a 14:3 K:BB across 27 innings during that stretch. For the season, Pfaadt owns a 4.43 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 45:20 K:BB over 65 innings. He's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Pirates.

Holmes (fibula) surrendered two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 2.1 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Holmes was expected to pitch three frames in his first minor-league rehab outing since suffering a fractured right fibula in mid-May, and he fell two outs short of the goal. The right-hander had a tough time finding the strike zone at times, tossing only 28 of his 51 total pitches for strikes. Holmes will require at least one more rehab start before being activated from the 60-day injured list.

Varland earned the save Thursday against the Rays, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Varland was called upon for the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead and retired the top of Tampa Bay's lineup in order to secure his 21st save of the campaign. The right-hander has converted nine saves over his last 13 appearances while allowing just two runs across 14.1 innings during that span. For the season, Varland owns a dominant 1.04 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 70:13 K:BB across 52 innings.