MLB Player News

Berrios allowed two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out nine batters over six-plus innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday.

Berrios was a bit wild with a season-high five walks (though one was intentional) and a hit batsman, yet he also racked up 18 whiffs and a season-best nine punchouts. The veteran righty began the game with five scoreless frames, but he faltered late, allowing two of the final four batters he faced to hit a solo homer. Nonetheless, this was another strong start by Berrios, who picked up his second straight quality start and fourth such outing this season. Since giving up six runs against Baltimore in his season debut March 27, Berrios has been much better, posting a 3.02 ERA and 40:19 K:BB over 41.2 frames.

Kikuchi allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Wednesday.

Kikuchi was ultra-efficient in the start, throwing 70 of 91 pitches for strikes -- a promising development given that he entered the game with a poor 4.7 BB/9. The lefty tossed five scoreless frames to begin the contest before giving up his lone run in the sixth. Kikuchi wasn't rewarded for his fine effort with a win, but he did notch his fourth quality start of the campaign and his first since April 9. The veteran hurler still doesn't have a victory this season, though his numbers have been tolerable -- he has a 3.83 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 39:20 K:BB over 42.1 frames spanning eight starts.

Jobe allowed six runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Wednesday.

Jobe was initially slated to start Tuesday, but his outing was pushed back one day due to a rainout. The rookie right-hander got off on the wrong foot against Colorado when Ryan McMahon tagged him for a two-run home run in the first inning, and Jobe gave up another two-run shot -- this time to Michael Toglia -- in the third. He was allowed to pitched into the fourth frame but got the hook after giving up another run on two hits in that inning. Jobe hadn't given up more than three runs in a start this season prior to Wednesday, so this was easily his worst appearance of the campaign. He'll look to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which tentatively lines up to come against Boston next week.

Morton (0-7) took the loss against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over four innings.

After being demoted to a bulk-relief and then a bullpen role in late April, Morton was given another chance to start Wednesday since the Twins needed to fill a rotation spot. The veteran righty actually fared slightly better than he had in his previous five starts -- the three runs were the fewest he's given up in a starting appearance so far this season, and he walked just one batter -- but that's not saying much since he lasted only four frames and took his MLB-worst seventh loss. Given Morton's 9.38 ERA through 31.2 innings on the campaign, there's ample reason to believe that Father Time may have finally caught up to the 41-year-old. With starter Zach Eflin (lat) slated to be activated from the injured list this weekend, it's likely that Morton will head back to the bullpen.

Woods Richardson tossed 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one batter.

Woods Richardson had control issues in the outing, throwing just 33 of 61 pitches for strikes. Still, he walked only one batter and allowed just one run through four frames. The right-hander retired the first two batters he faced in the fifth, but after Baltimore then strung together three straight hits for a run, Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli elected to pull Woods Richardson rather than give him another chance to get the final out he needed to qualify for a win. It was the second straight start in which Woods Richardson has gone exactly 4.2 frames, and he's completed fewer than five innings in three of his past four appearances, which doesn't shine a positive light on his current fantasy appeal.

Ryan won't start as scheduled against the Orioles on Thursday due to an illness.

Bailey Ober will start Thursday's series finale in Ryan's place. The 28-year-old right-hander will presumably look to make his next start once he's feeling better, which could set him up for a date with the Giants over the weekend.

Fried allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight batters over seven innings but did not factor into the decision against the Padres on Wednesday. He did not issue a walk.

Fried's lone blemish came in the fourth inning, when he yielded a solo homer to Jackson Merrill, but it was overall another outstanding performance by the 31-year-old southpaw, generating 11 whiffs while tossing 100 pitches (67 strikes). Fried has recorded six straight quality starts and hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his eight starts this season. He leads the American League with a 1.05 ERA, while his 0.91 WHIP ranks fourth among qualified starters in the AL. Fried is slated to make his next start on the road against the Mariners next week.

The Mariners traded Castillo to the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for cash.

Castillo was designated for assignment Tuesday to make room on the Mariners' roster for Leody Taveras. Now in the Orioles organization, Castillo will reclaim a spot on the 40-man and presumably report to Triple-A, where he owns a 5.02 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 14.1 innings on the year.

Mahle allowed two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox on Wednesday. He did not record a strikeout.

Mahle allowed just one hit over the first three innings, but he was tagged for two runs in the fourth frame after yielding solo homers to Alex Bregman and Wilyer Abreu. Mahle generated only four whiffs on 88 pitches (57 strikes) and failed to log a punchout for the first time this season. Still, the 30-year-old right-hander hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his eight starts this season, and his 1.48 ERA and 0.98 WHIP rank fourth and 14th, respectively, among qualified starters in the American League. Mahle is lined up to face the Rockies at home next week.

Wacha (2-4) grabbed the win Wednesday against the White Sox after allowing three hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

It was one of the finest efforts of the season for Wacha, who tossed a season-high seven innings. While the right-hander has fanned more than five just once among his eight starts, Wednesday marked his third straight quality start and second scoreless outing during this stretch. Despite his lack of overpowering stuff, Wacha has surrendered just two home runs this season. He boasts a 2.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB over 45.1 innings ahead of his next scheduled appearance, which tentatively lines up against the Astros next week.