MLB Player News

Manoah (3-9) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over four innings against Cleveland. He struck out six.

Manoah struggled with his command early on, allowing three walks and two hits over the first two innings, which would lead to two runs coming across for the Guardians. The right-hander then put together two 1-2-3 innings and even struck out the side in the fourth before surrendering back-to-back doubles to open the bottom of the fifth, which led to him being relieved by Genesis Cabrera. The right-hander has allowed at least three runs in four of his last five starts and has failed to make it through five innings in three of those outings.

Syndergaard (1-1) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 4-3 victory over Toronto. He struck out five.

Syndergaard struggled early but settled in after that, hurling three consecutive 1-2-3 innings before once again running into trouble in the sixth. He was replaced by Nick Sandlin with two outs in the frame, just missing out on a quality start. Syndergaard has allowed one run or fewer in two of his first three starts with the Guardians, and Friday's win was his first since April 30.

Means (elbow/back) allowed one hit while striking out two over two scoreless frames in his first rehab start with Double-A Bowie on Thursday.

Means required just 28 pitches to navigate through his two innings. The left-hander is about 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery and past the back injury which slowed his rehab. He will need multiple rehab outings as he builds back up, but Means is on track to potentially rejoin the Orioles' rotation by the end of the month.

Kremer (11-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings against the Astros while striking out five.

Kremer managed to limit a dangerous Houston offense to just two runs over seven innings, with both of those runs coming off solo homers. The right-hander allowed at least one hit in five of those innings, but he did a good job of pitching his way out of jams for most of the afternoon. Kremer has now allowed three or fewer runs in four consecutive starts and two runs or fewer in five of his last seven. However, he's also issued at least two walks in six straight, registering a 28:16 K:BB over that stretch.

Brown (8-8) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on eight hits over six innings against Baltimore. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

It wasn't a good start for Brown, as he gave up a solo home run to Adley Rutschman to open the top of the first inning. The right-hander then allowed runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings, marking the fourth time this season he's allowed at least five runs in a start. Brown has lost five of his last seven decisions and has surrendered at least two home runs in two straight starts. He has, however, still managed to go six innings in each of his last four outings.

Marsh (0-6) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Marsh worked in a bulk-relief role Thursday, coming in to start the fourth inning and finishing off the contest. The right-hander pitched decently but couldn't escape the loss column, and he's now been charged with the defeat six times through eight major-league outings. Marsh gained some fantasy intrigue after striking out 11 batters over six frames against Tampa Bay on July 15, but since then he's tallied just 14 punchouts across 18 innings and isn't a viable asset in most formats.

Paxton (7-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Paxton gave up three homers and four runs over five innings against Toronto in his previous start, but he rebounded with a strong effort Thursday. Though he needed 98 pitches to get through 5.1 frames, the left-hander kept the Royals off the scoreboard and didn't issue a walk for just the second time in 15 starts this season. Paxton continues to enjoy a career resurgence at age 34 -- through 80.1 innings, he's posted a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 90:22 K:BB.

Maeda (3-7) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

The veteran righty induced just eight swinging strikes on 89 pitches, but he was able to keep Detroit off the board until Riley Greene obliterated a hanging slider in the sixth inning, sending it 453 feet to right field for a solo home run. That bomb proved to be the difference, as Minnesota's offense was shut out for the second time in three days. After a brutal start to the season, Maeda has been steady in his nine outings since returning from injury June 23, posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.23 K/9 across 49.2 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Tigers again next week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (elbow) is on track to return from the injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock pitched well in his rehab debut Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, striking out three of the nine batters he faced over 2.1 scoreless frames. Out since early July due to a bone bruise in his right elbow, the 27-year-old is expected to operate as a multi-inning reliever down the stretch. He could happen into some wins and a save or two in that role.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (shoulder) will be limited to around four innings in his return to the rotation Friday versus the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale has been out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula and threw only 35 and 54 pitches, respectively, in his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester. He looked sharp during that stint on the farm, though, tallying 10 strikeouts across 6.1 scoreless frames. The 34-year-old southpaw will have to continue building up on the fly, but he can maybe help Boston attempt to stage a late charge in the AL Wild Card standings.