MLB Player News

France (shoulder) struck out three batters and surrendered two earned runs on two hits and three walks over 3.2 innings in his rehab start Friday for Triple-A Sugar Land.

For the first time over his four rehab starts, France reached the fourth inning while building up to 63 pitches. While working his way back from last summer's surgery to address a right shoulder capsule tear, France has struggled to regain control of his offerings. He's recorded more walks (nine) than strikeouts (eight) over the first nine innings of his rehab assignment and has also hit two batters. France will likely need just one or two more rehab outings to get stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, but given the poor form he's displayed on the farm thus far, the Astros may not be eager to open up a spot for him in the big-league rotation once he's activated from the injured list.

Mize (11-4) earned the win against the Angels on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Mize started strong with four scoreless innings before surrendering a two-run homer in the fifth. The 28-year-old wasn't particularly sharp, throwing just 55 of 91 pitches for strikes and recording eight whiffs. Still, he's now delivered back-to-back solid outings to open August after struggling with a 6.32 ERA over four July starts. He'll carry a 3.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 93:28 K:BB across 105.1 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next weekend.

Kochanowicz (3-10) took the loss against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout over three innings.

Kochanowicz threw just 50 of 84 pitches for strikes and allowed nine hard-hit balls, seven of which turned into hits. This marks the third time in four starts that the 24-year-old has given up at least five earned runs, and he's now gone winless since May 16. He'll carry a 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 71:55 K:BB across 107.2 innings into a road matchup with the Athletics next weekend.

Bello (8-6) took the loss Sunday against San Diego, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Bello allowed more than three earned runs for the first time in 15 starts. The 26-year-old surrendered only six hits, but they often came in bunches, resulting in a handful of runs. On the bright side, Sunday's start was Bello's first with more than five strikeouts since July 8. On the year, Bello has a 3.25 ERA and a 95:45 K:BB across 121.2 innings. Bello is tentatively scheduled to face the Marlins in his next start.

Woo (10-6) picked up the win Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over six innings.

Woo generated his eighth quality start in 10 appearances, and he punched out nine batters for a second straight outing. The 25-year-old has a 3.08 ERA and a 143:26 K:BB across 146 innings this season. Sunday's quality start was Woo's 17th of the season, which stands as the most in MLB. Woo is tentatively scheduled to face the Mets in his next start.

Houser (6-4) took the loss Sunday against Seattle, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts across five innings.

Houser's time in Tampa Bay has been rocky, as the veteran starter has allowed five and four runs, respectively, in his first two starts as a Ray. The 32-year-old has surrendered multiple walks in four of his last six starts. His two outings with Tampa Bay have ballooned Houser's ERA from 1.89 to 2.84. He'll look to get back on track next weekend in San Francisco.

Bradish (elbow) is expected to make at least one more rehab start before returning from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander has worked 12.1 innings over four rehab appearances in the minor leagues, producing a shaky 6.57 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. Bradish most recently threw 69 pitches for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday in the fourth start of his rehab assignment, and he could need to complete a couple more starts in the minors before the Orioles consider reinstating him from the injured list. He'll likely be looking to build up to 70-to-80 pitches during his next rehab outing.

Wells (elbow) struck out five and allowed oone hit and one walk over four scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Wells has now turned in 8.1 shutout innings through the first three starts of his rehab assignment. The right-hander spotted 41 of his 52 pitches for strikes Sunday, but he'll still need at least a couple more starts to get fully stretched out before the Orioles consider opening up a spot for him in the big-league rotation. Wells has been stuck on the injured list all season while working his way back from his June 17, 2024 UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery.

Fried (12-5) took the loss Sunday against the Astros, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three.

It was another shaky outing from Fried, who's stumbled to a 6.00 ERA over his last seven starts (36 innings). The left-hander still sports a 2.94 ERA on the season with a 1.10 WHIP and 135:36 K:BB across 24 starts (144 innings). Fried will look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in St. Louis.

Alexander (3-1) earned the win Sunday over the Yankees, allowing one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Alexander has been stellar of late, turning in back-to-back scoreless outings while allowing just four hits over 12 innings in that span. Overall, the 32-year-old right-hander sports a 5.02 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB across 37.2 innings between the Astros and A's this season. Despite his recent stretch, Alexander could soon be relegated to a bullpen role with Cristian Javier (elbow) slated to rejoin the rotation Monday.