MLB Player News

The Rangers are considering using Leiter (ankle) in a relief role once he returns from the 60-day injured list, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

While manager Skip Schumaker hasn't made a final decision on how Leiter will be deployed upon his return, the right-hander ended up being used out of the bullpen for his third rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock. After making starts of 2.2 innings and three innings in his first two minor-league appearances, Leiter was rocked for three earned runs on three hits while also hitting a batter during his one-inning relief outing Wednesday. Though the Rangers haven't given up on using Leiter as a starter for the long term, he had struggled to a 5.29 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in his 15 turns through the big-league rotation this season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery June 23 to remove a loose body in his right ankle area.

Prielipp allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Wednesday.

Heading into a start at homer-friendly Sacramento didn't look to be a good recipe for Prielipp, who had allowed nine home runs over his last nine outings. He avoided the long ball Wednesday and left with the Twins ahead before reliever Andrew Morris squandered the lead in the sixth inning. Prielipp has still had an unimpressive August, allowing 23 runs over 26.2 innings across five starts this month. The southpaw is at a 5.55 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 106:39 K:BB across 99 innings through 19 starts in the majors this year. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Tigers.

Ginn (9-8) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings to earn the win over the Twins on Wednesday.

Ginn got off to a rocky start, allowing three runs over the first two innings, but the Athletics' surge on offense in the sixth put him in line for the win. It's been a middling month for Ginn, who has allowed 17 runs (15 earned) over 29 innings across his five starts in August, with this outing being his first win in that span. For the season, he's at a 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 121:57 K:BB through 138.1 innings over 27 games (24 starts). He's projected to make his next start on the road versus the Rangers.

Gore (7-10) allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Gore didn't give up any home runs, but the White Sox were able to piece together a pair of runs against him in both of the second and fourth innings for his worst start in August. He's limited the long ball well this month, allowing just two homers and eight total runs over 26.2 innings across five starts. Gore is at a 4.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 165:56 K:BB through 149.1 innings over 28 starts this year. His next start is projected to come at home versus the Athletics.

Burke allowed two runs on two hits and eight walks while striking out three over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Wednesday.

Burke's control just wasn't there, and he ended up exiting at 92 pitches (46 strikes) while posting a fairly unusual stat line. His previous high mark for walks this year was five, done in back-to-back outings to begin June. The right-hander was at least able to limit damage, and the White Sox's offense handled the rest. Burke is at a 3.32 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 161:50 K:BB through 149 innings over 27 games (23 starts) this season. He still has a passable 3.0 BB/9 as well, and it's unlikely his control will falter to this extent too much more often, as long as he's not battling an injury. Burke is tentatively projected to make his next start at Houston.

Bradish allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Bradish was cruising until the fifth inning, when the Cardinals were able to tack on six runs to erase an early deficit. With 12 runs allowed (10 earned) over his last 10 innings, Bradish's performance has taken a poor turn after a positive beginning to August. On the year, he has a 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 133:62 K:BB through 143 innings over 26 starts. He's lined up to make his next start in Colorado, which makes him a volatile fantasy option.

Dobnak (2-2) took the loss against the Blue Jays Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out five.

Dobnak made one mistake to Nathan Lukes, giving up a three-run homer for the only runs of the game, and is without a win in his past four starts. The 31-year-old Dobnak has pitched well since entering the Kansas City rotation in July, as he has a 1.92 ERA in 10 appearances, though his 1.37 WHIP and 34:21 K:BB through 51.2 innings are less encouraging figures. The right-hander tentatively lines up to make his next start at homer versus Miami.

Rodriguez took a no-decision against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.

It was arguably a career-best start for Rodriguez, who fanned a career-high six Wednesday. It was also his first quality start of the year and the first time he completed at least five frames though five MLB starts. Rodriguez tends to operate on a spot-start basis for the Yankees, but a doubleheader Saturday could allow him to get another turn through the rotation. For now, he's tentatively set to bring a 4.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 16:13 K:BB over 23 major-league innings to Anaheim against the lowly Angels.

Lambert took a no-decision against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

A throwing error by Christian Walker kept an earned run off Lambert's line, and the hurler came one out short of logging a quality start. It was still an encouraging bounce-back effort by the right-hander, who was obliterated for a season-high nine runs his last time out against the Angels. Lambert has been rather steady besides that implosion, pitching at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts en route to a 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 125:51 K:BB in 128 frames this season.

Gray (16-4) took the loss against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Gray gave up both of his runs in the first and second innings, settling in for three scoreless frames thereafter. The 36-year-old right-hander has experienced very few letdowns since returning from the injured list May 6, conceding more than three runs on just three occasions across his last 20 starts while working at least five innings in all but one of those outings. Gray will bring an exceptional 2.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 128:37 K:BB over 143.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance versus Seattle.