MLB Player News

Bassitt allowed three runs on nine hits and did not walk a batter while striking out four across four innings against the Tigers on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Sunday's outing could have gotten a lot worse for Bassitt. He allowed a three base hits in the second inning and a solo home run in the third, leading to two runs for the Tigers. He then gave up another run on three straight singles to open up the fifth before being replaced by Trevor Richards, who was able to strand two runners after coming in with nobody out. It was a disappointing way for the 34-year-old to head into the All-Star break after posting consecutive quality starts. He's struggled to keep the ball in the park and has now given up 18 home runs in 109.2 innings this season after allowing 19 in 181.2 innings last year. Bassitt had not held an ERA above four in any season during which he's made at double digit starts but currently owns a 4.19 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 102:36 K:BB.

German did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks over six innings in a 7-4 loss to the Cubs. He struck out nine.

German turned in a quality start Sunday, allowing just one hit while pitching into the sixth inning for the second time in his last five appearances. German enters the All-Star break on a high note, owning a 1.40 ERA and a 23:3 K:BB across his last three outings (19.1 innings). However, fantasy managers should proceed with caution with the 30-year-old, as he carried a 5.10 ERA and a 69:25 K:BB on the year prior to his three recent starts.

Sears did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run (zero earned) on one hit and three walks over five innings against Boston. He struck out four.

After hurling 7.1 scoreless innings against the Tigers last time out, Sears posted another five innings without an earned run Sunday. Sears enters the All-Star break on a high note, having gone seven or more innings in three of his last five appearances, a stretch in which he has surrendered 19 hits and owns a 3.26 ERA over 30.1 innings. Though the lefty has been one of Oakland's top arms this season, he's struggled with keeping the ball inside the park, giving up 1.7 HR/9 on the year.

Dunning (8-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Though Dunning has had an impressive first half of 2023, he struggled against one of baseball's bottomfeeders, tying his season high in runs allowed and failing to finish six innings for the first time since June 17. However, all of the damage against Dunning came late, as a Dominic Smith solo homer in the fifth put the Nationals on the board. Through 20 appearances (12 starts), Dunning boasts an impressive 2.84 ERA but hasn't missed many bats, logging 59 Ks through 92 innings.

Skubal tossed four scoreless innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Blue Jays. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five.

Skubal has now made two appearances this season after missing the first three months while rehabbing from flexor tendon surgery, and he's logged four scoreless innings each time. The Tigers are being understandably cautious with his workload, as he tossed 57 pitches in his debut and just 63 on Sunday. With the All-Star break on tap, Skubal will have more time to rest and could be poised to work deeper into the contest his next time out. He's penciled in to start Detroit's second game after the break Saturday.

Giolito allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out five over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Sunday.

Giolito was able to limit the damage to a two-run home run by Willson Contreras in the fourth inning. Since the start of June, Giolito has posted five quality starts across seven outings but managed just two wins in that span. The right-hander finished the first half with a 3.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB through 112.1 innings through 19 starts. He'll likely face Atlanta on the road coming out of the All-Star break.

Ryan (8-6) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 4.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Orioles.

Ryan gave up a solo home run to Austin Hays in the second inning and then was charged with four of the seven runs the Orioles put up in the fifth. Over his last six outings, Ryan has alternated between strong showing and poor performances. The 27-year-old right-hander finished the first half with a solid 3.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 124:18 K:BB over 107 innings through 18 starts. His first start after the All-Star break is likely to be on the road, either in Oakland or Seattle.

Eflin (10-4) earned the win Sunday versus Atlanta after he allowed two runs on four hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The 29-year-old closed out the first half of the season with another strong performance, though it's just the fifth time in 17 starts that he lasted fewer than six innings. The Rays were leading 8-2 when Eflin was lifted with just 77 pitches, and the club may have been opting to limit his workload given he hasn't thrown more than 105.2 frames in a season since 2019. The right-hander is in the midst of the best year of his career with a 3.25 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 105:15 K:BB through 102.1 innings.

Gibson (9-6) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 11 across seven innings to earn the win Sunday over the Twins.

Gibson had given up 18 runs over his last 19.2 innings during a four-start winless skid. He received ample run support Sunday and did his part with an excellent performance that saw him match his season high in strikeouts. He has a 4.60 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 89:36 K:BB through 109.2 innings over 19 starts this season. He's done better at keeping the ball down this year, allowing just 10 home runs so far, though he's had some struggles allowing too many baserunners.

Rodriguez pitched three scoreless innings Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk in a planned shorter outing heading into the All-Star break, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Rodriguez struck out a career-high 12 batters over six scoreless innings earlier this week against Durham and boasted a 1.83 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 34.1 innings across his six most recent starts prior to Sunday. It would seem that he could rejoin the big-league rotation shortly after the break.