MLB Player News

Bibee (5-14) took the loss against the Royals on Friday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

Bibee allowed a run in the fifth inning and delivered his third straight quality start but was outdueled by Michael Wacha. The 27-year-old Bibee is now tied with Shane Baz for the major-league lead in losses, though he's pitched better than his record would indicate. He owns a 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 128:46 K:BB across 162.1 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Blue Jays next week.

Wacha (8-8) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out 10 over eight scoreless innings.

Wacha was dominant, throwing 75 of 103 pitches for strikes with 16 whiffs without allowing an extra-base hit. It continued a stellar second half for the veteran hurler, who owns a 2.28 ERA and has delivered six quality starts in eight outings since the All-Star break. He'll take a 3.32 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 136:42 K:BB across 170.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Marlins next week.

Schlitter (12-6) earned the win against Boston on Friday, allowing two hits and five walks while striking out eight across 5.2 scoreless innings.

Schlittler ended up getting the better of Red Sox southpaw Patrick Sandoval in Friday's 1-0 pitchers' duel. Schlitter set the tone early by striking out two batters in the first inning and was able to keep Boston off the board for his ninth scoreless outing of the season. He got a little bit of help from Cody Bellinger, with the veteran outfielder gunning down Ceddanne Rafaela at the plate in the seventh inning to preserve the shutout. It was Schlittler's 12th start of eight-plus strikeouts and brought him up to 201 punchouts, which is fifth-most in the majors this season. He'll take a 2.09 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 163.2 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next week on the road against the Rangers.

Sandoval (1-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks while striking out seven across 5.1 innings.

Sandoval and Cam Schlittler were locked in a pitchers' duel in Friday's series opener, with the latter coming on top after not giving up a run in his outing. Sandoval tied season highs in both walks and strikeouts, and his lone blemish came in the third inning, when he yielded a solo homer to Paul Goldschmidt. That was the only run Sandoval gave up, but unfortunately for the southpaw, he was unable to avoid the loss after his Red Sox teammates failed to generate any offense. He's given up two earned runs or less in seven of nine starts this season and has a 4.20 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 45 innings. Sandoval is slated to take on the Mariners at home next week.

Hancock (7-8) took the loss against Toronto on Friday, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out one batter over five innings. He did not issue a walk.

Hancock put the Mariners in an early hole after giving up three runs in the first inning. He appeared to settle in thereafter, getting through the next three frames unscathed before giving up solo home runs to George Springer and Nathan Lukes in the fifth. Hancock has allowed two homers in back-to-back games, and the five earned runs Friday are his most in a start since June 20 against the Red Sox. He'll take a 3.57 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 138.2 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next week against Boston at Fenway Park.

Cease (9-5) earned the win against Seattle on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight across six innings.

Cease yielded a solo homer to Dominic Canzone in the first inning but was able to settle in after that, striking out the side in the second frame while keeping the Mariners off the board for the rest of his start. Cease has recorded at least seven strikeouts in 19 consecutive starts, which is tied for the second-longest streak in MLB single-season history behind Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, both of whom did so in 20 consecutive outings. Cease will take a 2.33 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 217:65 K:BB over 150.1 innings into his next start, lined up for next week on the road against the Guardians.

Leiter (ankle) reported biceps soreness after the first inning of his latest rehab outing at Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Zach Sweet of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers will shut Leiter down from throwing for a few days before reevaluating him. Manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Leiter's setback will make it harder for him to return this season as a starter, but he may still be able to contribute out of the bullpen if he's able to get fully healthy.

Cecconi (arm) is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Columbus, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi was cleared to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday, when he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out the side in one scoreless inning at Triple-A. He's working his way back from right arm fatigue that landed him on the injured list in early August, and he is progressing toward being back with the Guardians by early September.

Houck (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at the Red Sox's complex in Florida on Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Houck has been on the injured list all season while recovering from the hybrid UCL reconstruction procedure he underwent last August, and he has now reached the point where he's ready to test his elbow in a competitive setting. There is still a chance he makes it back before the end of the season, though the Red Sox will likely have him pitch in several minor-league games before activating him.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Friday that Miller is being moved to the bullpen, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The club had been operating with a six-man rotation since the promotion of top prospect Kade Anderson but will revert to a typical five-man setup. Miller collected a 2.18 ERA and 65:9 K:BB over 57.2 innings in the first half, but he's cratered in the second half with a 7.18 ERA and 27:16 K:BB across 36.1 frames. In Miller's last four outings, the Mariners were outscored 62-7. Wilson noted Friday that Miller's demotion is "not a permanent thing," and that the team still views the hurler as a starter long-term.