MLB Player News

Heaney allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over five-plus innings, taking a no-decision Saturday versus the Rockies.

Heaney gave up a solo home run to Hunter Goodman in the third inning, and a second run was tacked onto his line when Jose Leclerc balked in a run in the sixth. This was another solid start for Heaney -- the eight strikeouts were a season high, and he issued zero walks for the fourth start in a row. He's at a 4.39 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB through 41 innings across eight starts this season, but he remains in search of his first win. Heaney is projected to make his next start at home in a favorable matchup with the Angels.

Means escaped with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks, giving up four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The southpaw got tagged for two runs in the third and fifth innings, but the Orioles scored in the eighth to tie up the game and take Means off the hook for his first loss before eventually walking it off in the 11th. He tossed 60 of 89 pitches for strikes, and he has a 3.09 ERA and 11:0 K:BB through his first 11.2 innings on the year. Means will look to sharpen things up on his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Mariners.

Clevinger allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out five batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Saturday.

Clevinger struggled mightily in his season debut Monday, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks over two innings. The veteran looked much better Saturday, yielding just a fourth-inning run while cutting the free passes entirely out of his stat line. Clevinger needed just one more out to qualify for the win, but he was pulled for a lefty reliever after giving up a single to the final batter he faced in the fifth frame. Despite that minor disappointment, this was a promising outing considering his disastrous previous start, and it should help him as he works to push up his pitch count after missing spring training and signing with Chicago in early April.

Gausman escaped with a no-decision in Saturday's 10-8 win over the Twins, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander had given up only two earned runs across his prior four starts, but Gausman's luck deserted him Saturday as Minnesota scored three times in the first inning on some soft singles and shoddy defense, and the adjustments he tried to make in the next two frames only made matters worse. The Jays were able to rally late to take Gausman off the hook for his fourth loss, however. He'll carry a 4.95 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB through 36.1 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Rays.

Woods Richardson came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 10-8 loss to the Blue Jays, surrendering five runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Twins spotted the right-hander a 4-0 lead by the top of the second inning, but Woods Richardson quickly ran into trouble of his own as half of the eight hits off him went for extra bases, including homers by Bo Bichette and Davis Schneider. Woods Richardson has failed to complete five innings in two of his last three starts, but he'll still carry a respectable 3.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB through 25 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Cleveland.

Javier (neck) dropped to 2-1 on the season in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Tigers after allowing seven runs on five hits and four walks with no strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Javier was activated off the 15-day injured list Saturday to make his first start for the Astros since April 14, but the right-hander didn't look quite right in his return from a neck injury. In addition to getting knocked around for seven runs and throwing only 21 of 50 pitches for strikes, Javier's final two fastballs clocked in at 89.7 miles per hour and 90.2 miles per, well below his typical velocity. It's unclear whether his struggles Saturday are an indication that Javier isn't fully recovered from the neck issue or if he was simply rusty, but he's currently penciled in to make his next start at home against Oakland next Thursday.

Skubal (5-0) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over 6.1 innings.

Skubal continued his run of excellence, recording his fifth straight quality start and picking up his fifth win without a loss on the season. The left-hander has built upon last year's breakout campaign to emerge as one of MLB's top hurlers and Detroit's undeniable staff ace. Skubal ranks seventh among qualified starters with a 2.02 ERA and fourth with a 0.86 WHIP. He's tied for fourth with 60 punchouts over 49 innings.

Littell (2-2) got the victory Saturday versus the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He notched three strikeouts.

Littell came into this outing with zero walks over his last four starts and at least six strikeouts in all of those outings. While he went the other direction in both areas during Saturday's start, it was an effective outing nonetheless. Littell is sitting on a 3.02 ERA, but this was his first win since March 30. His next outing projects to come in Boston.

Cortes (1-4) took the loss Saturday in Tampa Bay, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Cortes had just eight walks all season coming into this outing and half of those came in his first two starts. He issued a season-high three free passes in this one, the first time since April 14 that he didn't go at least six frames. Cortes will try to bounce back his next time out in a favorable projected matchup at home against the White Sox.

Criswell did not factor into the decision Saturday versus the Nationals, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out nine.

Criswell was dinged by a couple solo home runs; one in the second inning by Joey Meneses and another in the fourth hit by Eddie Rosario. Aside from that, Criswell yielded only one other hit, and his nine punchouts were a career high. Criswell was pulled after five with his pitch count at just 79, as the Red Sox are continuing to keep a close eye on his workload as he transitions from the bullpen (he hasn't thrown more than 83 pitches in a start and has yet to record an out beyond the fifth inning). He's been awfully effective when on the bump, though, with his ERA actually going up to 2.10 after Saturday's outing. Criswell is slated to face his former club, the Rays, his next time out.