MLB Player News

Valdez (4-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing four hits over nine scoreless innings against Oakland. He struck out seven.

Valdez made quick work of the Athletics on Sunday, holding them scoreless through nine innings on 104 pitches. The 29-year-old has been having a career year so far, with a 2.45 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.82 K/9 through 10 starts (66.0 innings). Though Valdez hasn't been a strong contributor in the win column, fantasy managers should treat him as an elite fantasy option considering he ranks top 10 in ERA and strikeouts while leading MLB in innings pitched.

Heaney (3-3) allowed an unearned run on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings to earn the win Sunday over the Rockies.

Heaney limited an opponent to one run or less for the fourth time in nine outings this season. He allowed the Rockies to get on the board with a fielder's choice in the sixth inning. Heaney had a 5.52 ERA through his first six starts, but it's down to 4.13 with a 1.21 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB across 48 innings over nine starts this season. He's lined up for a tough road matchup in Baltimore for his next outing.

Lynn (3-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Royals. He struck out six.

Lynn picked up his third win in his last four appearances Sunday and appears to be turning the corner after starting the campaign 0-4 with a 7.16 ERA in his first six starts (32.2 innings). His lone blemish Sunday came on a two-run homer from Michael Massey in the second inning. Though Lynn's run prevention has been up and down throughout 2023, he has been one of the best strikeout producers in MLB with a 10.5 K/9 that ranks 16th among starters.

Kluber (2-6) yielded five runs (one earned) over 2.1 innings and took the loss against the Padres on Sunday. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out one batter.

The Padres jumped all over Kluber in the first inning, plating four runs. He was later charged with one more run in the third after he was removed from the game. Just one of the runs allowed was earned, meaning Kluber dropped his ERA from 6.41 to 6.26. On the bright side, this was his first start all year without giving up a home run. Kluber's next start is currently lined up to be in Arizona.

Kremer did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on nine hits and two walks over 5.1 innings during an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays in extras. He struck out seven.

Kremer allowed one or fewer runs for the fourth time this year and struck out a season-high seven batters Sunday. Across 10 starts (52.2 innings), the 27-year-old holds a solid 43:15 K:BB but has a 4.61 ERA. Last year, Kremer posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB across 22 appearances (21 starts). He'll look to lower his ERA for a third straight game during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled during a three-game weekend set versus Texas.

Gausman did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over eight innings during an 8-3 loss to the Orioles in extras. He struck out four.

Gausman surrendered two runs in the third but was otherwise sharp while tying his season high with eight completed frames. The strong outing lowered his ERA from 3.27 to 3.14, and he sports an outstanding 81:11 K:BB through 63 innings despite tying his season low with four strikeouts Sunday. Aside from two terrible outings, Gausman has been extremely sharp this year and will look to keep up his strong play next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the opener of a three-game set in Minnesota.

Bibee didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets. He allowed two runs on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts across six innings.

The 23-year-old threw 62 of his 99 pitches for strikes and struggled to find the zone at times with four free passes, but he was able to limit the damage to two runs. It's the second time in five starts Bibee has walked four batters, but he hasn't issued a single walk in his other three outings. He's off to a strong start in his first taste of the big leagues with a 3.18 ERA and 25:8 K:BB over 28.1 frames.

Wentz (1-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on 10 hits over two innings during a 6-4 loss to Washington. He struck out one and didn't issue a walk.

Wentz was pulled in the third for a second consecutive start and has allowed nine runs on 16 hits during that stretch. Sunday's outing marked the fourth time the 25-year-old has allowed at least five runs this season, and he currently holds a 7.45 ERA over 38.2 innings. He was much better in limited work last year, posting a 3.03 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across seven starts (32.2 innings), but he's yet to find a groove in 2023.

Kirby (5-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings during a 3-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out six.

Kirby allowed a run in the first, third and sixth en route to taking the loss but still completed at least seven innings for the fourth time over his past five outings. He also extended his quality-start streak to eight consecutive contests and currently holds a 2.62 ERA and 47:5 K:BB over 58.1 innings. Kirby will look to stay sharp during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the first contest of a three-game weekend set versus Pittsburgh.

Blackburn (finger), who allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk while recording one strikeout over 3.2 innings in his most recent rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, will toe the rubber for the Aviators again Wednesday, the team's official site reports.

Blackburn hasn't inspired any confidence during his time down on the farm, as he's pitched to a 9.69 ERA across 13 innings over five starts between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The right-hander, a 2022 All-Star selection, did come out of Friday's start without any finger-related issues, but it seems fairly clear the Athletics are more concerned about his string of poor performances at the moment and therefore are affording him at least one more opportunity work out the kinks.