MLB Player News

Scherzer did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Guardians, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Scherzer allowed a run in the first inning and two more in the fourth during his second start of the season, and first since March 29. He threw 55 of 83 pitches for strikes and generated seven whiffs in a solid return to the mound while continuing to manage thumb soreness. The 40-year-old owns a 5.63 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB through eight innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Yankees next week.

Flaherty (5-9) took the loss Wednesday against the A's, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

One pitch proved to be enough to stick Flaherty with the loss Wednesday -- he gave up a three-run homer to Nick Kurtz with two outs in the third inning that proved to be the difference in a 3-0 defeat. While it's the third straight loss for Flaherty, it's a step in the right direction for the right-hander after he'd given up 15 runs in just five innings over his previous two outings. Overall, Flaherty sports a 4.80 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and 100:35 K:BB across 16 starts (84.1 innings) this season. He's currently lined up to face the Nationals on the road his next time out.

Lopez (2-4) earned the win Wednesday over the Tigers, allowing three hits and a walk across seven scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Lopez was excellent Wednesday, blanking a Detroit team that had scored 20 runs over their previous two games. Lopez has turned in three straight quality starts, allowing just one run while striking out 24 over 19 innings in that span. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 3.56 with a 1.30 WHIP and 55:17 K:BB through 43 innings this season. Lopez will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Tampa Bay.

DeGrom (8-2) earned the win Wednesday over the Orioles, allowing one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

DeGrom was nearly untouchable Wednesday -- he held the Orioles hitless through seven innings before Colton Cowser led off the eighth with a single. It's the fifth straight quality start for deGrom, who's gone 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA in that span (32 innings). His ERA is down to a sparkling 2.08 on the season with a 0.91 WHIP and 94:20 K:BB across 16 starts (95.1 innings). DeGrom will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled as a home rematch with Baltimore.

Kikuchi (3-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out 12.

The southpaw looked like he might be in for a rough afternoon when a Scott Kingery error helped lead to a two-run first inning for Boston and forced Kikuchi to burn through 31 pitches, but he locked in after that, giving up just a single the rest of the way. The dozen strikeouts were a season high for Kikuchi, and he remains absolutely dominant at Angel Stadium, delivering a 1.12 ERA through eight home starts this year with a 3-1 record, a 1.10 WHIP and a 51:17 K:BB over 48.1 innings. His next outing, however, is scheduled to come on the road next week in Atlanta, and Kikuchi has labored to a 4.47 ERA and 1.63 WHIP away from Anaheim.

Fitts came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out six.

Making his first major-league start since June 2, Fitts once again had issues keeping the ball in the park, serving up back-to-back solo shots to Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud in the fourth inning before getting the hook after 83 pitches (58 strikes), including 15 swinging strikes. The six Ks were a season high, but the right-hander has now been taken deep seven times in his first 25 MLB innings this season, leading to a 4.68 ERA. Fitts' time in the rotation will likely end when Tanner Houck (elbow) or Hunter Dobbins (elbow) are ready to return, but for now he lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Reds.

Burke (4-7) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings during a 7-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander tied his season high with seven strikeouts, a mark he set last Thursday against the Cardinals. Burke has given up two earned runs or fewer in eight of 10 starts since the beginning of May, posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB over 54 innings during that span. He'll try to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to be a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next week.

McCullers (foot) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander landed on the shelf June 16 due to a right foot sprain, and he was kept off the mound for only about a week. Assuming McCullers can continue ramping up his throwing program back up with no issues, he may not be looking at an extended absence.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Philadelphia, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out three over seven scoreless innings.

Valdez delivered his first scoreless outing since April 8, blanking the Phillies despite struggling with his control. The 31-year-old lefty has now walked at least four batters and struck out three in two consecutive starts. In his last four starts, Valdez has a 2.16 ERA and a 29:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Cubs on Sunday in his next turn through the rotation.

Zobac (knee) has given up seven earned runs on 13 hits and no walks while striking out eight over 6.2 innings in his two starts for Double-A Northwest Arkansas since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list June 13.

Zobac was on Northwest Arkansas' IL for nearly two months before he slotted back into the rotation a couple weeks ago after he wrapped up a three-start rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Over four outings at Double-A this season, Zobac owns a 9.42 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in 14.1 innings, but his 19:5 K:BB suggests that he's pitched better than his ERA would indicate.