MLB Player News

Gray said that he will make his next start on nine days' rest Saturday against the Orioles in Baltimore, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gray would have lined up for two starts this week after making his most recent appearance in this past Wednesday's loss to the Marlins, but the Red Sox will instead build in some extended rest for the top arm in their rotation as the regular season winds down. The 36-year-old righty clarified Sunday that he's not dealing with any specific physical concerns, though he feels the extra time off will be beneficial in the long run. As a result of Gray being pushed back in the schedule, the Red Sox will need to add a spot starter to the mix for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

Rocker did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Brewers, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven over three innings.

Rocker needed at least 25 pitches in each of his three innings, throwing just 48 of 86 pitches for strikes before his day ended. Despite the traffic, he limited the damage to two runs, both of which came as Milwaukee opened the first inning with four consecutive baserunners. Rocker has struggled throughout August, posting a 6.00 ERA across six starts. On the season, he owns a 4.44 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 124:55 K:BB over 129.2 innings and is scheduled to face Tampa Bay on Friday.

Matthews (9-8) earned the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits while striking out five over a career-high 8.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Matthews retired the first 17 batters he faced and carried a shutout into the ninth inning despite generating only nine whiffs on 103 pitches. He allowed two singles in the final frame before exiting and watched from the dugout as one came around to score. Matthews has now earned a win in five consecutive starts and has been particularly sharp over his last three, allowing just three runs across 21 innings with a 16:2 K:BB during that span. He's scheduled for a rematch with the White Sox on Saturday.

Rasmussen did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Padres, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings.

Rasmussen kept San Diego off the board outside of the fourth inning, when Xander Bogaerts delivered a two-run single. It marked the right-hander's first start without a win since July 9, snapping a streak of seven consecutive victories. He's been excellent throughout August, posting a 2.57 ERA with a 37:8 K:BB across 35 innings. Rasmussen is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Rangers.

Kikuchi (0-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out six.

Kikuchi's only mistakes were solo homers in the third and seventh innings, as a quiet afternoon from the Angels offense saddled the southpaw with the loss. In two starts since returning from a nearly four-month stint on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation, the 35-year-old has allowed seven runs over 12 innings while posting a 10:2 K:BB. Kikuchi will take an overall 5.65 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB over 43 innings (nine starts) into his next outing, lined up for next weekend against the Pirates.

Springs (3-13) took the loss Sunday, allowing seven runs on six hits and a walk over 4.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out six.

Springs' season-long struggles continued, as he served up three homers at Sutter Health Park, including two to Gunnar Henderson. The southpaw hasn't earned a win since April 14 and has posted a 7.80 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB in three starts spanning 14.2 innings since returning from the injured list due to right hip discomfort. With an overall 6.37 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 98:50 K:BB across 123 innings (25 starts), Springs is tentatively scheduled to pitch Friday against the Mariners.

Bassitt (6-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks over 5.2 innings against the Athletics. He struck out four.

Bassitt was jumped on early, allowing all five runs across the first three innings, but settled in enough to give the Orioles some length and pick up the win thanks to a strong offensive showing. In four starts since returning from the injured list, the veteran right-hander has posted a 4.24 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 23.1 innings. Bassitt will take a 4.97 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 55:29 K:BB across 79.2 innings (16 appearances) into his next start, tentatively scheduled for Friday against the Red Sox.

Pecko (1-0) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Mets on Sunday.

Pecko's start got off to a brutal beginning, as Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto tagged him for back-to-back solo shots on consecutive pitches. From there, Pecko settled in and got enough run support to come away with the win. He's posted a 6.23 ERA and 9:9 K:BB through 13 innings over his first three starts in the majors. It's unclear if Pecko will stick around on the Astros' roster once Mike Burrows (elbow) returns from the injured list.

Messick (11-8) earned the win against the Royals on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

After conceding a run in the opening inning, Messick cruised his way to victory on a day when the Guardians erupted for nine runs through four innings. The left-hander continues to deal on the hill, tossing at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in 10 consecutive starts since the beginning of July. He'll look to further improve upon an already excellent 2.46 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 161:43 K:BB over 161 innings in his next scheduled outing against Detroit.

Lugo (6-8) took the loss against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing nine runs on nine hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was a rough afternoon on the bump for Lugo, who surrendered six extra-base hits (two home runs) and coughed up three runs in every inning he worked besides the second. The nine runs allowed were a season worst, and Sunday marked his second-shortest outing of the season. He'll aim to right the ship in his next scheduled outing against the Blue Jays, holding a 5.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 118:49 K:BB over 153 innings.