MLB Player News

Kaprielian allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts over five innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Mariners.

Kaprielian has walked four or more batters in five of his 20 starts this season, though this was the first time he hit that mark in his last seven outings. Both runs against him came via sacrifice flies. The right-hander improved his ERA to 4.29 with a 1.33 WHIP and 71:45 K:BB through 100.2 innings this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Yankees next week.

Detmers (4-4) took the loss against Detroit on Saturday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings.

Detmers had been on a roll entering the contest, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 over six starts since his July 8 return from the minors. However, he clearly lacked his best stuff against the Tigers, as he recorded only three strikeouts and and surrendered four extra-base hits (all doubles). The Angels will hope that this was merely a blip on the radar and not an indication that Detmers is dealing with any sort of physical issue. According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, the rookie's velocity was down a tick in the outing, so that's something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Rasmussen (8-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Royals. He struck out eight.

Rasmussen allowed only one extra-base hit in the form of a double from shortstop Bobby Witt. The righty has been particularly effective lately with a 33:6 K:BB and a 0.83 WHIP over 38.2 innings over his last seven starts. In addition, the 27-year-old has been significantly better at home with a 1.99 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 58.2 innings compared to a 3.86 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 46.2 innings away from Tampa Bay.

Cole (9-6) took the loss against Toronto on Saturday, pitching six innings and allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Cole was locked in through four frames, allowing only two baserunners on a walk and a hit batsman. After striking out Matt Chapman to begin the fifth, he subsequently let six straight batters reach base on three doubles, two infield singles and a free pass. The onslaught resulted in four runs, and though Cole rebounded to retire the side in order in the sixth, the damage was too much for a recently tepid New York offense to overcome. Cole has now gone six starts without earning a victory, and he's posted an uncharacteristic 4.62 ERA over that span. He leads the majors with 189 strikeouts but has otherwise had a mildly disappointing campaign thus far.

Mahle (shoulder inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Per Miller, it's a precautionary move by the Twins that allows the team to add a lefty reliever (Devin Smeltzer) against the lefty-heavy Rangers. Mahle was already expected to miss his next start. He is eligible to return Sept. 2.

Blackburn (finger) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

His right middle finger will be in a splint for the next six weeks, so Blackburn's season is over. He was a great story in the first half of the season, but his production plummeted over his final eight starts (7.94 ERA), in part due to the finger discomfort he dealt with over his final four starts. Blackburn will be a key part of Oakland's rotation in 2023.

Boyd (elbow) took the loss for Triple-A Tacoma against Albuquerque on Friday, allowing two earned runs on two hits, a balk and a hit batsman while recording four strikeouts.

As the busy final line implies, Boyd had some control issues in his third rehab appearance. The veteran southpaw did work up to 40 pitches (26 strikes), and his swing-and-miss stuff was encouraging. Boyd had logged a pair of scoreless one-inning outings in his first two trips to the mound for the Rainiers, and the Associated Press reports manager Scott Servais estimates the 31-year-old could join the big-league bullpen within the next two weeks.

Blackburn (finger) revealed Friday that he pitched through progressively worsening discomfort during his final four starts of the season before being shut down Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. "I was hoping that it would just kind of go away," he said. "... It just never went away. It got worse."

The right-hander was a first-time All-Star in 2022, and his 8.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 2.7 HR/9 over the 20.1 innings covering his last four starts are largely explained by what was ultimately revealed to be a torn flexor tendon sheath in his right middle finger. Blackburn apparently suffered the injury in his preparation for his July 13 start against the Rangers, the outing that marked the beginning of his slump. The combination of the increasing pain and the inability to extend his finger and finish pitches ultimately caused the early end to Blackburn's season, and although he'll be in a cast for up to eight weeks, he's expected back at full strength for spring training.

Taillon (11-4) took the loss Friday as the Yankees were downed 4-0 by the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander didn't pitch too badly aside from grooving a first-pitch fastball to Teoscar Hernandez in the fourth inning that wound up traveling 421 feet to nearly straightaway center field, but the New York offense managed only four singles all night and never got a runner past second base, so Taillon had no margin for error. In six starts since the All-Star break, he's posted a 4.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB through 32.1 innings, with the ERA being fueled by a 1.7 HR/9.

Gausman (9-9) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Yankees. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander was dominant, retiring 10 straight batters after New York got two on with two outs in the first inning and not letting another runner get into scoring position the rest of the night. Gausman fired 58 of 86 pitches for strikes before exiting with his third quality start in four August trips to the mound, a month is which he's sporting a 1.75 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB through 25.2 innings.