MLB Player News

Javier (9-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.

Javier was tagged for two runs in the third inning and two more before his exit in the fifth. This was his fourth straight outing of no more than five innings, and he's gone six straight starts without a win. The right-hander is at a 4.67 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 155:60 K:BB through 156 innings over 30 starts this season. Javier may not start again in the regular season since the Astros have just four games left, though he'd be available on regular rest by the last game of this weekend's series versus Arizona if Houston manages to secure a playoff spot before then.

Kirby (12-10) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Astros.

Kirby's dominant performance was particularly timely, given the postseason stakes at play. This was his first scoreless outing since Aug. 12, and he'd given up at least three runs in each of his last six starts. With Tuesday's effort, the right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.06 WHIP and 165:19 K:BB through 184.2 innings over 30 starts this season. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Mariners, who remain in contention for a playoff spot and the AL West title. Kirby is projected for a start this weekend versus the Rangers, one he'll almost certainly make if the Mariners aren't eliminated before his turn comes up again.

Blackburn (4-7) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks over three innings against Minnesota. He struck out three.

Blackburn tied his season high in walks Tuesday while also posting his most runs allowed since July. Because of his struggles, Blackburn was yanked at just 77 pitches and failed to make it into the fourth frame. With the regular season winding down and the A's long eliminated from the playoffs, Tuesday's start will likely be Blackburn's last of 2023. If that's the case, he'll finish his seventh MLB season with a 4.43 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and a 104:43 K:BB across 103.2 innings.

Ober (8-6) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings against the Athletics. He struck out eight.

While Ober didn't go deeper than five innings for a ninth consecutive start, he turned in one of his best starts of the season, tying his season high in strikeouts while not allowing a homer for the first time since mid-July. Ober could have a tougher time in his next projected start, which will come Sunday against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Detmers (4-10) allowed a run on four hits and four walks while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win over the Rangers on Tuesday.

Detmers ended a five-start winless skid with a solid outing, though the four walks matched his season high. This was the fifth time he'd gone seven frames in an appearance this season, and it was only the second time he's won such a start. For the year, the southpaw is at a 4.48 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 168:60 K:BB through 148.2 innings over 28 starts. Detmers could get one more start at home versus the Athletics on normal rest, but it's unclear if the Angels will want to roll him out there when they have nothing to play for.

Urena (0-7) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks over four innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

Urena struggled to get through the Diamondbacks order Tuesday, allowing three runs across his first three innings of work before leaving the bases loaded in the fifth with no outs. Through nine starts, Urena has taken seven losses, and he's surrendered four or more earned runs in two of his last three appearances. Urena is lined up to make one more start this week, closing out the 2023 regular season for the White Sox at home against the Padres on Sunday.

Houck (5-10) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits over three innings against the Rays. He struck out two.

Houck struggled from the outset Tuesday, allowing three runs in the opening inning before the Rays tacked on another four runs in the third. The 27-year-old right-hander had looked better of late, allowing just two runs over his prior two outings (10 innings). Overall, Houck's ERA is up to 5.31 with a 1.41 WHIP and 93:38 K:BB through 20 starts (100 innings) this season. He'll likely get one more chance to end his season on a high note, as Houck's currently lined up to pitch in Boston's season finale this weekend against Baltimore.

Eflin (16-8) earned the win Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings against Boston. He struck out four.

Eflin cruised through four innings Tuesday, holding the Red Sox scoreless until Enmanuel Valdez's three-run homer in the fifth. Still, the Rays were able to hang on to a 9-7 victory, giving Eflin his 16th win, third most in the Majors. The 29-year-old right-hander closed out the regular season on a high note, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last eight starts. Eflin will finish an impressive first year in Tampa with career bests in ERA (3.50), WHIP (1.02), strikeouts (186) and innings pitched (177.2).

Gausman did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three hits and two walks over seven shutout innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.

This marked Gausman's second straight scoreless outing against the Yankees after throwing six shutout innings in a win against New York on Wednesday. Over the two starts, the 32-year-old righty was electric, recording 15 strikeouts over 13 innings while allowing six hits and five walks. Gausman is currently scheduled to start the last Blue Jays game of the regular season at home against the Rays on Sunday.

The Angels placed Sandoval on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right oblique strain.

With a week left in the regular season, Sandoval's trip to the IL will cause him to miss the rest of the year. He finishes 2023 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 144.2 innings across 28 starts, and he'll be replaced on the roster by Kolton Ingram, who was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. Sandoval was on track to start the final game of the season Sunday, and the Angels have yet to announce a replacement.