MLB Player News

Blackburn (6-4) gave up six earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over four-plus innings to take the loss in an 8-3 defeat to the Astros on Friday.

Blackburn got off to a very good start by facing the minimum number of batters through three innings and striking out five of them. However, he started to unravel when Alex Bregman went deep in the fourth. Blackburn wasn't able to right the ship and was pulled without having recorded an out in the fifth after another home run to Martin Maldonado. The 28-year-old right-hander began the season on a high note with a 2.15 ERA through the end of May, but he appears to be coming back down to earth after being shelled by the Astros and posting an ERA of 5.13 in June. Look for him to start next week at Texas.

Urquidy (8-3) gave up three earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two over eight innings to earn the win in an 8-3 victory over the Athletics on Friday.

Urquidy got plenty of run support and was effective over eight innings to pick up his eighth win of the season. The 27-year-old right-hander took advantage of the weak Athletics lineup by pitching to contact all night long. He induced seven groundouts and seven flyouts while allowing one home run. Urquidy has now strung together five quality starts in a row and has lowered his ERA to 4.08 from a season-high 5.04 on June 9. He is expected to make his next start at home in a rematch against the Athletics on Friday.

Stripling allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts in five innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Stripling wasn't able to pitch past the fifth inning for the third straight start, but he provided solid work with 61 of his 94 pitches going for strikes. The veteran right-hander has given up 11 runs (10 earned) in 24.1 innings across his last five appearances. For the season, he owns a 3.34 ERA, 1.16 WHIP And 55:14 K:BB across 67.1 innings in 20 outings (12 starts). Stripling is lined up for a favorable home start versus the Royals next week. His place in the rotation should be secure with Yusei Kikuchi (neck) on the injured list at least through the All-Star break.

Kirby allowed two runs on 10 hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings Friday, taking a no-decision versus the Blue Jays.

The 10 hits Kirby allowed marked a season high for the rookie right-hander, but only two of them went for extra bases. He did fairly well with damage control, as the two runs on his line were on RBI singles from Lourdes Gurriel and Teoscar Hernandez. It's a little concerning Kirby's failed to complete five innings in two of his last three starts. He has a 3.78 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB through 64.1 innings. He'll look to show more command in a projected road start against the Rangers next week.

Skubal (6-7) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out seven and earning a win over the White Sox.

After coughing up a two-run shot to Luis Robert in the first inning, Skubal fired five shutout frames with little issue. It was an encouraging start after the 25-year-old had given up at least three runs in each of his previous six starts, registering an unsightly 7.80 ERA during that stretch. He now owns a 3.99 ERA with a 97:25 K:BB through 94.2 innings. Skubal is expected to take the mound in Kansas City next week.

Giolito (5-5) yielded five runs on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings Friday, striking out eight and taking a loss against Detroit.

The 27-year-old allowed just one single through five shutout frames before running into trouble in the sixth. He served up a two-run shot to Jeimer Candelario before Candelario delivered an RBI single in the seventh. Giolito was then tagged with two more runs after he left the game in the seventh with Joe Kelly on the mound. Giolito has registered a brutal 7.11 ERA over his last eight starts, bumping his season number to 5.05 through 82 innings. He's expected to take the mound in Cleveland next week.

Wells allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in four innings during Friday's win over the Angels. He didn't factor into the decision.

Wells gave up just three runs in 22 innings over his last four starts, but he was less effective during Friday's matchup. He gave up a three-run homer in the top of the third inning and was in line for the loss when he exited the game, but he came away with a no-decision after the Orioles mounted a late comeback. Friday's start snapped a streak of five consecutive wins for Wells, but he's had sustained success over the last month and a half. The righty tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Tampa Bay next Friday.

Gray (5-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Twins.

Gray got off to a rocky start Friday, coughing up a two-run blast to Carlos Correa in the first inning. He allowed one run over the next four frames before giving up another two-run homer, this time to Ryan Jeffers, in the sixth. The veteran right-hander has won four of his last five starts, posting a 2.64 ERA with a 34:5 K:BB during that stretch. Gray will carry a 4.03 ERA into his projected home matchup with Oakland next week.

Detmers allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven in six scoreless innings during Friday's loss to the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.

The left-hander stepped in as a starter Friday after Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) was placed on the injured list, and Detmers was sharp in his return to the major-league mound. He posted a career-high seven strikeouts and left the game with the Angels holding a three-run lead, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision after the bullpen was unable to preserve the advantage. If he draws another start prior to the All-Star break, he tentatively lines up to take the mound at home against the Dodgers next Friday.

Gray (4-2) yielded five runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Rangers on Friday. He took the loss and failed to record a strikeout.

Gray worked four scoreless innings before unraveling in the fifth. He gave up three runs and was charged with two more after Corey Seager's three-run shot off of Caleb Thielbar. It was Gray's first start this season allowing more than three earned runs; the 32-year-old saw his ERA climb to 3.03 with a 54:16 K:BB across 12 starts. Gray is projected to face the White Sox at home next week.