MLB Player News

Valdez (8-6) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.

Valdez suffered a cramp in his left calf in his last start, but it appears his exit this time was due to a high pitch count. He needed 96 pitches (59 strikes) to complete five frames, but he got enough run support to escape with the win. Valdez has allowed at least four runs in three of his last four starts -- a concerning trend, but not one that's negatively impacted his numbers too much. The southpaw still has a 2.94 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 133:30 K:BB through 122.1 innings over 19 starts. Valdez is projected for a tough home start versus the Rangers next week.

Heaney allowed four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings in Friday's loss to the Dodgers. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Most of the damage against Heaney came during the Dodgers' three-run third inning. He's given up at least four runs in three of his last five outings but tossed 10.1 shutout frames in his other two starts during that span. His season ERA has risen to 4.58 with a 100:40 K:BB through 96.1 frames. Heaney's next outing is lined up to come in Houston next week.

Marsh (0-4) yielded five earned runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Friday in a loss to the Yankees. He struck out three.

Marsh surrendered homers to Franchy Cordero, Billy McKinney and Gleyber Torres while taking his fourth loss in four major-league starts. He posted excellent numbers at Triple-A and racked up 11 strikeouts last week against the Rays, but the 25-year-old right-hander holds a 6.20 ERA with Kansas City and is far too risky of a fantasy play in most formats. He is scheduled to pitch at Cleveland next.

Schmidt (6-6) allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk over 5.2 innings Friday in the Yankees' win over the Royals. He struck out two.

Schmidt got himself into trouble in what became a three-run fourth inning for Kansas City, but he bounced back and stuck around long enough to quality for the win. Working as a locked-in member of the Yankees' major-league rotation for the first time in his career, the 27-year-old holds a 4.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 97:28 K:BB through 99.2 frames this season. He lines up to face the division-rival Orioles in Baltimore next time out.

Ryu (elbow) allowed two earned runs over six innings for Triple-A Buffalo in his fourth rehab start Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Ryu yielded only three hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts in the 85-pitch outing. He averaged 88.4 mph with his fastball but touched 90.8 mph at one point. Now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, the veteran left-hander could join the Blue Jays' starting rotation as early as next week.

Kluber (shoulder) tossed two scoreless innings in his rehab debut Friday with Double-A Portland.

Kluber entered the game out of the bullpen but got his pitch count up to 35 while scattering one hit with no walks and one strikeout. It's unclear at this point whether the Red Sox plan to bring him back as a starter or reliever. He's been on the shelf since June 21 due to right shoulder inflammation.

Keuchel did not exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

There could be a second opt-out date in the deal, but Keuchel will remain part of the Twins organization for the time being. The veteran left-hander has pitched well at Triple-A St. Paul, registering a 0.90 ERA and 17:8 K:BB in four starts covering 20 innings, but he hasn't had much success in the majors since 2020.

Bello was placed on the paternity list Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Bello's girlfriend is due to give birth, so he will understandably be away from the club for a few days. The right-hander will be back with the Red Sox in time for his next scheduled outing Tuesday against Atlanta.

Bassitt (10-5) earned the win Thursday, allowing four hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Padres. He struck out five.

Bassitt retired 10 of the first 12 batters he faced and never really found himself in trouble outside of the sixth inning, when he walked Juan Soto to open the frame before giving up a single to Xander Bogaerts. However, the right-hander was quickly able to pitch his way out of the jam en route to his 10th win of the season. Bassitt has now won his last three decisions (spanning five starts), allowing two earned runs or fewer in each of those wins.

France (5-3) earned the win over Oakland on Thursday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

France yielded a run in the first inning but kept the A's off the scoreboard for the remainder of his outing. As usual, the rookie right-hander wasn't overpowering -- his five punchouts were actually his most over his past six starts -- but he kept the ball in the park and induced two double-play groundouts. France has recorded seven quality starts over his past eight outings, compiling a 2.66 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 50.2 innings during that span. His steady consistency has helped him solidify an unquestioned role in the Astros' rotation.