MLB Player News

Houck came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander left the mound after 108 pitches (64 strikes) with a 4-2 lead, but the Boston bullpen cost Houck his ninth win of the season. Instead, he had to settle for his 17th quality start, tying him with Luis Castillo, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Zack Wheeler for fourth in the majors. While he's still giving the Red Sox some length in the rotation, Houck's overall performance had faded as the summer has worn on, and since the beginning of July he's posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and poor 22:21 K:BB through 39 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Houston.

Dunning came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning win over the Red Sox, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out three.

Making his first start since June 16, Dunning was able to give the Rangers a solid 76 pitches (48 strikes), but he ran out of gas in the sixth inning and got the hook after serving up a Wilyer Abreu solo shot and a Masataka Yoshida single to begin the frame. With Jose Urena struggling and Texas dealing with multiple injuries to starting pitchers, Dunning's performance might have been good enough to keep him in the rotation for at least one more turn, but his 4.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB through 82.1 innings innings don't inspire a lot of confidence from a fantasy perspective.

Anderson (9-11) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks over 5.2 innings while striking out eight.

The Blue Jays got to Anderson early and often Wednesday, tagging the veteran for runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings while the Angels' offense struggled to get anything going. The lefty gave up a season-high seven runs on the night while surrendering multiple home runs for the first time in his last five starts. Anderson's four walks in the contest were the most he's issued since June 25 against the Athletics (span of seven starts), and he's now allowed multiple free passes in two of his last three outings. On a positive note, Anderson has gone at least five innings in seven consecutive starts.

Berrios (11-9) picked up the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out five.

Berrios allowed just one hit over the first four innings before coughing up a solo homer to Matt Thaiss in the bottom of the fifth, though Toronto had already backed the right-hander with six runs in support by that point. Berrios has now hurled seven innings of one-run ball in each of his last two starts, posting a 13:2 K:BB over that stretch. He'a also recorded at least five strikeouts in five consecutive outings and has won three of his last four decisions (spanning four starts).

Martin allowed a run on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings to take a no-decision versus the Yankees on Wednesday.

Martin got his one misstep out of the way early, allowing a solo home run to the red-hot Juan Soto in the first inning. Martin exited with the lead, but the White Sox's bullpen imploded in the seventh and eighth innings. Through four outings (three starts), Martin has pitched to a 3.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB across 18 innings. The walk rate is likely to remain a concern, and pitching for the White Sox won't put him in line for many wins. He's tentatively projected for a road start in San Francisco his next time out.

Cobb (1-1) earned the win over the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings.

Cobb struggled in his team debut last Friday, allowing five runs (four earned) over 4.2 frames. He was much better in his second outing, yielding just a fourth-inning run while getting through 5.2 frames on a relatively efficient 80 pitches. Cobb may still be on a mildly regulated pitch count since he missed the first four-plus months of the campaign following offseason hip surgery and topped out at 69 pitches during his minor-league rehab stint, but he should have any restriction lifted soon. His next start is projected to be a tough matchup against the Yankees in New York.

Warren allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over five innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Warren exited with the Yankees down 2-1, but they rallied for nine runs between the seventh and eighth innings. This was the best of Warren's three appearances in the majors this season. He's allowed 14 runs over 14.2 innings while posting a 17:5 K:BB. The 25-year-old is expected to be sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the near future since this was likely just a spot start to build in some rest for the Yankees' other starters.

Estes (5-5) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 5.1 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Mets.

Estes mostly kept the Mets in check, though he yielded solo home runs to Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. This was the first time since June 16 that Estes yielded multiple homers in an outing. The right-hander is now at a 4.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 66:21 K:BB through 87.2 innings over 17 appearances (16 starts). He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Rays.

Littell allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Aside from a Jeremy Pena solo home run in the fifth inning, Littell was in control, though he threw just 68 pitches (44 strikes) in this start. That matches his lowest pitch count since the start of July -- he'd thrown no fewer than 79 pitches in any of his last six starts. He's now at a 4.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 116:26 K:BB through 129.2 innings over 24 starts this year. Littell is tentatively projected for a favorable road start against the Athletics in his next outing.

Blanco was removed from his start Wednesday against the Rays after getting hit in the left index finger by a comebacker, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Blanco reported soreness in his finger after getting hit in his left (non-throwing) hand by a 106-mph line drive off the bat of Brandon Lowe, prompting his removal after six shutout innings. Initial X-rays came back negative after the game, so it appears the 30-year-old righty managed to escape without a significant injury. He's lined up to start against Boston next week, though the Astros will likely keep an eye on his finger up until then.