MLB Player News

Kopech (5-10) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings.

Kopech held the Guardians scoreless through five frames and was handed a 5-0 lead, but he allowed three straight one-out hits amid the chaos of a sixth-inning brawl between the teams and was unable to complete the frame. However, the right-hander nonetheless pitched well enough to emerge with his just his second win over his past 11 starts. Kopech didn't miss a ton of bats and again struggled to find the strike zone, and he's now walked at least three batters in all but one of his last eight outings. On a more positive note, he didn't allow any balls to leave the park Saturday, the first time he's held a team homerless over his past seven starts.

Anderson (5-3) allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Mariners.

Anderson had gone two starts without walking multiple batters before regressing Saturday. He particularly struggled in the third inning, which saw him give up three of the five baserunners and both runs on a Julio Rodriguez double. Anderson continues to return mixed results with a 4.92 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 86:44 K:BB through 104.1 innings over 20 outings (19 starts) this season. He is tentatively lined up for a challenging road start in Houston next weekend.

Kirby (10-8) allowed a run on three hits and struck out five without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.

The lone blemish on Kirby's line was a Randal Grichuk solo home run in the third inning. This was a return to Kirby's impeccable control -- he'd issued eight walks over his last seven starts, an unusually high mark for the right-hander. He's logged 16 quality starts in 22 outings this season, pitching to a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 124:14 K:BB through 135.2 innings on the year. Kirby is projected for a difficult home start versus the Orioles next weekend.

Skubal (2-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Skubal did a good job of pitching his way out of multiple jams throughout the contest, outside of the second inning, when he allowed one run to come across on a Manuel Margot single. The 26-year-old lefty would then hold the Rays scoreless over the next 3.1 innings before being relieved by Jose Cisnero. Skubal has now given up one run or fewer in four of his six starts, while the 5.1 innings marked his longest outing since he made his season debut in early July. He holds a very healthy 33:4 K:BB through 27 innings on the campaign.

Cortes did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over four innings against Houston. He struck out eight.

Cortes walked Jose Altuve to open the game before striking out the side, all swinging, to get out of the inning. The lefty would then give up a solo home run to Altuve in the third, though it was the only hit he allowed over his four innings of work while posting a season-high eight strikeouts. Cortes even struck out the side in order before heading to the bench. He's now fanned at least five batters in each of his last four starts. The Yankees certainly have to feel good about what they saw out of Cortes in his return to the rotation following the shoulder injury.

Verlander (6-6) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings against the Yankees. He struck out four.

Verlander allowed back-to-back hits to start the bottom of the second, leading to a sacrifice fly from Anthony Volpe for the Yankees' first run of the game. The right-hander would then retire seven of the next nine batters he faced before serving up a hanging slider to Jake Bauers, who launched it over the wall in right field. Despite taking the loss, it was still a quality outing for Verlander in his return to Houston following the trade. He's now allowed two earned runs or fewer in four consecutive starts and in six of his last seven.

Miller (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday and said afterward that he will face live hitters next week, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old has been out since May with an elbow injury, but he now has four bullpen sessions under his belt and will look to clear the next major hurdle in his recovery next week. Miller reiterated that his goal is to pitch for the A's again this season. He only made four starts before going down, but Miller impressed in that small sample (3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) and looks like a potential long-term rotation piece for Oakland.

Wells, who is slated to start for Double-A Bowie on Saturday, will be given a little more rest between his next outings, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It sounds like Wells will go only three innings Saturday as the organization hits the reset button. Rest will be a big part of this reset process, as manager Brandon Hyde said Wells likely won't take the ball again in the minors until next weekend. One of the biggest surprises of the first half, Wells allowed 11 runs in nine innings across his first three starts out of the All-Star break. He still has a 3.80 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 111:33 K:BB over 113.2 innings in the majors this season.

Whitlock (elbow) threw live batting practice Saturday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Prior reports suggested that the 27-year-old could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, but the Red Sox instead opted to have him complete a live batting practice session beforehand. If Whitlock checks out fine Sunday, he could begin a rehab stint within the next week.

Eovaldi (forearm) said Saturday he was pain-free after playing catch from 75 feet, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The 33-year-old made 40 throws and should continue building up his arm over the next few days before potentially returning to bullpen sessions. Manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Eovaldi will be sidelined for at least another 2-to-3 weeks, but the right-hander's return to throwing with no issues is still an encouraging development for his outlook.