MLB Player News

Howard (2-3) allowed six runs on six hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over four-plus innings to take the loss versus the Orioles on Tuesday.

Most of the damage against Howard came in the third inning, with Jorge Mateo's three-run home run enough to send the Rangers starter to a loss. He's now allowed 11 homers in nine appearances this season. The right-hander has a 6.82 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB through 34.1 innings. With Jon Gray (oblique) out until at least September, Howard is likely to maintain a spot in the rotation. His next start is projected to be a home matchup against the White Sox this weekend.

Quijada pitched a perfect ninth inning to save Tuesday's 3-1 win against the Athletics. He failed to record a strikeout.

With Raisel Iglesias shipped to Atlanta at the trade deadline, Quijada received the first crack at the ninth inning and delivered with a clean frame on just eight pitches. The 26-year-old was tagged for three runs in one-third of an inning in his last appearance Sunday but had tossed five scoreless innings while allowing only two baserunners prior. He sports a 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 24 strikeouts in 20 innings across 21 games this season.

Beede will start Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The right-hander has worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Giants and Pirates this year, but he'll step into the rotation Wednesday after Pittsburgh traded away Jose Quintana. Beede covered three innings during his last appearance Sunday, so he shouldn't be expected to have a full starting workload. It's unclear if Pittsburgh plans to keep him in the rotation or if he'll shift back to the bullpen after Wednesday's outing.

Nelson (3-2) took the loss Tuesday in Atlanta, allowing two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three in two innings.

Nelson opened for the second time this season and held Atlanta scoreless through the first two innings. In the third, he hit Michael Harris and walked Ronald Acuna and was promptly removed. The 26-year-old had allowed only two runs while striking out 17 in 14.2 innings before Tuesday's loss. He'll likely return to a middle-relief role for his next appearance.

Yarbrough will pitch behind opener Jalen Beeks against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Steve Carney of MLB.com reports.

Yarbrough worked as a traditional starter his last time out and allowed one run across six innings in Baltimore, but he'll operate as a primary pitcher Wednesday. Overall it's been a struggle this year for the left-hander with a 5.11 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB across 49.1 innings.

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Twins.

Soto didn't record a strikeout but was still effective in shutting down Minnesota on 14 pitches (10 for strikes). The lefty has been really good this season with 20 saves and a 2.19 ERA. He's only allowed one earned run since the beginning of July and none in his last seven appearances. Soto should remain a good fantasy asset the rest of the way.

Beeks will start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Steve Carney of MLB.com reports.

Beeks covered two scoreless frames Sunday in his first appearance since returning from the injured list, and he'll serve as the opener for Wednesday's series finale. Ryan Yarbrough is slated to follow as the bulk pitcher for Tampa Bay.

Manager Derek Shelton said Bednar was unavailable during Tuesday's win over the Brewers due to a lower-back injury, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Bednar missed some time with the back issue a month ago and was able to avoid the injured list, and it remains to be seen if he'll require a trip to the shelf this time around. In his absence, Wil Crowe picked up save Tuesday, and Yerry De Los Santos could also be in the mix for saves should Bednar be forced to miss additional time.

Thompson (8-5) allowed five runs on 10 hits across 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals. He walked two and struck out one.

Thompson allowed home runs to Dylan Carlson and Paul Goldschmidt, and was just generally ineffective on the road against St. Louis. The righty has now alternated good and bad starts his last four times out, though he's been mostly solid for the bulk of the year, as evidenced by his 3.48 ERA across 93 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next scheduled outing Sunday against the Marlins.

Romano earned the save Tuesday in Tampa Bay, allowing a solo homer and striking out one in the ninth inning of a 3-1 victory.

Taylor Walls took Romano deep to lead off the ninth, but the 29-year-old bounced back and retired the next three batters on five pitches. He is now 25-for-28 in save chances and has converted his last eight opportunities. Over his last 13 appearances, he's posted a 1.32 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 13.2 innings.