MLB Player News

Ober (4-3) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against Milwaukee. He struck out seven.

After surrendering back-to-back home runs to Brian Anderson and Luis Urias in the second inning, Ober allowed only three more hitters to reach base over his six innings of work. The right-hander struck out seven batters for the second straight start and has now gone at least six innings in five of his last eight appearances. Ober has more than held his own this season, limiting opponents to two or fewer runs in seven of his 10 starts.

Lorenzen (2-4) allowed six runs on nine hits across six innings to take the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta. He walked two and struck out three.

Lorenzen allowed six runs for the second straight start, with three solo home runs accounting for half of the damage Wednesday. The righty had a 3.21 ERA before this rough patch but has seen that balloon to 4.23. Lorenzen has a fairly thin margin of error because he doesn't miss a ton of bats, and he's now sitting at 47 strikeouts through 66 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which should come early next week against the Royals.

Olson (0-2) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings as Detroit fell 10-7. He struck out two.

The Tigers handed Olson a 4-0 lead after two innings against Atlanta ace Spencer Strider, but Olson quickly squandered it and got chased after 89 pitches (57 strikes). It was a sudden wake-up call for the rookie right-hander after he'd held the White Sox and Phillies in check in his first two big-league appearances, but his spot in the rotation is likely secure until some of Detroit's injured pitchers begin returning from the IL, with Alex Faedo (finger) and Tarik Skubal (elbow) at the head of the queue. Olson will take a 6.08 ERA and 11:4 K:BB through 13.1 innings into his next outing, which could come at home early next week against the Royals.

McCullers underwent season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a torn right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur from his right forearm, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Things had been trending in a bad direction for McCullers following another recent setback, and it turns out that surgery was necessary. The Astros expect McCullers to return to pitch in 2024, though it's not clear when exactly that might happen. McCullers will end up missing his second full season in last four years, as he was out for the entire 2019 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Wednesday that reports on Manoah from the Florida Complex League have been "very encouraging."

Manoah is at the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Florida to "adjust mechanics" and other things, per Schneider. "Reports have been very encouraging from not only the pitching lab but I think the way he's kind of attacking his overall time down there," Schneider said. The manager added that Manoah's first bullpen session was over 70 pitches and the plan is for the righty to face live hitters later this week. Eventually, Manoah will be assigned to a higher affiliate to get in some work in game action, although there's no timeable for that yet.

The Tigers announced Wednesday that Jobe (back) has resumed facing hitters in live batting practice at Single-A Lakeland, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jobe has been recovering from lumbar spine inflammation all season, but now that he's facing hitters again, he looks to be on the cusp of making his 2023 debut. Before he joins the High-A West Michigan rotation, the Tigers may have Jobe make a handful of rehab appearances with Lakeland or with their rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out nine.

The right-hander put together his second straight quality start and eighth in 14 outings in a dominant performance that saw him generate 35 called or swinging strikes among his 97 pitches. Lopez's first season with Minnesota has been a roller coaster so far, leaving him with a 4.27 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 84.1 innings, but his 101 strikeouts has him tied for fourth in the league with Mitch Keller. Lopez is next set to take the mound at home this weekend against the Tigers.

Crawford didn't factor into then decision in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Rockies, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander also uncorked two wild pitches in an erratic performance that saw him exit the game with the Red Sox down 4-0, only for his offense to bail him out. Crawford tossed 80 pitches (53 strikes), his biggest workload since his first appearance of the season April 3, but those are also the only two times this year he's been tagged for more than three runs. He might be better suited for long relief, but with Chris Sale (shoulder) out and both Nick Pivetta and Corey Kluber struggling in the bullpen, Crawford may be Boston's best option for the final spot in the rotation. If the 27-year-old gets another turn, he'll take a 4.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB through 40.2 innings into a road start early next week against the Twins.

Kirby improved to 6-5 in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Marlins after allowing one run (zero earned) on three hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out a career-high 10 batters.

Kirby retired the first 13 batters before Yuli Gurriel got a base hit. The 25-year-old was roughed up pretty badly his last time out, but he rebounded with 20 whiffs, leading to a career-high 10 strikeouts. It was also his third straight outing without walking a batter. Kirby leads all qualified pitchers with a 0.7 BB/9 and an 11.8 K/BB, as he's displayed spectacular control throughout the season. He now owns a 3.24 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 71:6 K:BB over 80.2 innings and lines up for a meeting with the Yankees next week.

Brown (6-3) earned the win Tuesday over the Nationals, scattering four hits over seven shutout innings. He walked three and struck out four.

Brown posted his fourth start this season of seven innings pitched and zero earned runs allowed. The only extra-base hit given up was a double by CJ Abrams, as Brown continues to make a case for AL Rookie of the Year. The 24-year-old was showing great command with his knuckle curve, as he recorded four whiffs and struck out three hitters. Brown now sits at a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 83:26 K:BB over 75.1 innings. He'll look to cap off a strong week with a start against the Reds over the weekend.