MLB Player News

Berrios (9-8) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays fell 6-2 to the Cubs, giving up six runs (four earned) on nine hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

While his defense did him no favors, Berrios dug his own hole by serving up homers to Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger in the first inning. The right-hander has been more lucky than good since the All-Star break, posting a 3.62 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 32.1 innings over his last six starts, but he'll look to rebound in his next outing, which is likely to come next weekend in Cincinnati.

Blackburn (2-3) took the loss Friday as the A's were downed 8-2 by the Nationals, giving up four runs on eight hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

While he wasn't hit all that hard -- only one of the hits off Blackburn, a Keibert Ruiz solo shot in the fifth inning, went for extra bases -- the veteran right-hander tossed only 60 of 103 pitches for strikes as he tied his season high in free passes. Blackburn has stumbled to a 5.19 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB in 34.2 innings over seven appearances (six starts) since the beginning of July, but he'll look to rebound in his next outing, which is likely to come next week in St. Louis.

Keuchel (0-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs on six hits and two walks over 1.2 innings in a 13-2 rout at the hands of the Phillies. He failed to strike out a batter.

After a promising first start for the Twins, Keuchel reverted back to being the pitcher who posted a 9.20 ERA in 60.1 innings last season. The 35-year-old southpaw managed to escape the first inning unscathed thanks to a double play, but the first five Phillies to come to the plate in the second reached base, including back-to-back doubles by Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott to lead off the frame. Minnesota is hoping to get Joe Ryan (groin) back soon and the team has off days coming up Monday and Thursday which would allow it to go with a four-man rotation. If Keuchel does make another start, it would likely come at home next weekend against the Pirates.

Kopech did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 4.1 innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.

Kopech was consistently behind in the count, throwing first-pitch strikes to just eight of the 23 batters he faced. He still maintained a lead into the fifth but was pulled at 96 pitches after allowing three consecutive singles to close out his night. Kopech has been the pillar of inconsistency this year in his 21 starts, splitting evenly with seven games of four or more earned runs allowed, seven with no more than one earned run allowed and seven directly in-between. His next start is currently projected to take place next Friday in Colorado.

Gray (8-5) allowed two hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over seven scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Giants.

Gray turned in an excellent start, his third scoreless outing of seven or more innings this season. Both hits he allowed were singles, while the seven strikeouts were his most in a start since he fanned 12 Cardinals on June 7. Gray has a 3.51 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 102:39 K:BB through 120.2 innings over 21 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Angels next week.

Verlander (7-6) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings in a 11-3 win over the Angels. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

Verlander tossed a quality start and received plenty of run support to earn his first win since his return to the Astros at the trade deadline. Since the start of June, Verlander has posted an ace-like 2.56 ERA, albeit with only 70 strikeouts over 77.1 innings. He'll look to continue this string of quality performances in his next start, likely to take place next week in Miami.

Gibson (11-7) allowed nine runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Mariners.

Gibson labored through the outing, throwing 57 of 89 pitches for strikes while yielding multiple homers for just the second time this season. The Mariners are now responsible for both his shortest outing and most runs given up in a start this season. The right-hander's ERA ballooned to 4.89 with a 1.33 WHIP and 121:45 K:BB through 145.1 innings over 25 starts this season. He's projected for a favorable road matchup in Oakland next week as the Orioles move to a six-man rotation.

Castillo (8-7) allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings to earn the win Friday over the Orioles.

Castillo was tagged for seven runs over six innings versus the Angels a week ago, but he bounced back against the American League's top team. He's racked up four quality starts over six outings since the All-Star break, though he has just two wins to show for it in that span. The ace right-hander has a 3.14 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 163:36 K:BB through 143.1 innings over 24 starts this season. Castillo is projected for a favorable road start in Kansas City next week.

Detmers (2-9) took the loss Friday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.1 innings against Houston. He didn't strike out a batter.

Jon Singleton had not hit a big-league home run since 2015, but he knocked out two against Detmers, who was pulled following Singleton's third-inning blast. A rough July has turned into a disastrous August for Detmers, as he has allowed 14 earned runs in his last 6.1 innings. Friday's outing was also his first career appearance without a strikeout. Unless the Angels decide to go in a different direction, Detmers will next attempt to right the ship in a mid-week matchup against the Rangers in Arlington.

Skubal (2-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Red Sox.

Skubal gave up one run through three innings before serving up a three-run shot to Triston Casas in the fourth. It was the first homer allowed by Skubal this season. He's allowed 15 earned runs through seven starts, and he's turned in four scoreless appearances already. Skubal will carry a 4.18 ERA into his next outing, which is projected to be in Cleveland next week.