MLB Player News
-
Shane Baz SP | BAL
Rays' Shane Baz: Gets back in win column
Baz (9-11) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out six over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Monday.
Baz went 0-8 with a 6.58 ERA over 53.1 innings across 10 starts in July and August, but he was able to start September on a better note. He's walked exactly two batters in each of his last 10 outings, which isn't great, but that's something he can manage as long as he's not giving up too many hits. Baz is at a 4.98 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 156:56 K:BB over 150 innings through 27 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Guardians over the weekend.
-
Luis Garcia SP | HOU
Astros' Luis Garcia: Victorious in return
Garcia (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Angels, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks over six innings with six strikeouts.
The Houston right-hander looked sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery in May 2023, tossing 79 total pitches. Garcia averaged 91.4 mph on his fastball, down 1.3 mph from his mark in 2023, but that is to be expected as the 28-year-old works his way back into game action. All three runs Garcia conceded scored on long balls in the fourth, with Zach Neto hitting a solo shot and Jo Adell cracking a two-run homer. Garcia currently lines up to make his next start at Texas this weekend.
-
Yusei Kikuchi SP | LAA
Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Suffers 10th loss
Kikuchi (6-10) coughed up five runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings to take the loss Monday at Houston. He struck out six.
Despite generating a solid 13 whiffs out of 97 total pitches, the Japanese southpaw reached double-digit losses for the second straight season. Kikuchi allowed five or more hits of the seventh time out of his nine post-All-Star break appearances, as he's struggled with a 5.59 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 46.2 innings in the second half. Overall, the 34-year-old now sports a 3.83 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 162:66 K:BB in 159.2 total frames. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is currently scheduled to come at home against the Athletics this weekend.
-
Bailey Ober SP | MIN
Twins' Bailey Ober: Concedes four runs in no-decision
Ober did not factor into the decision in Monday's 6-5 loss to the White Sox. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings with three strikeouts.
The Minnesota right-hander struggled with the long ball once again in this 69-pitch outing, coughing up two homers, upping his season total to 29. Ober gave up both round trippers in the second inning with Colson Montgomery hitting a solo shot before Chase Meidroth added a two-run blast. Given Ober's inability to keep the ball in the park (he now owns a 2.1 HR/9), it is difficult to rely upon him in fantasy. The 30-year-old will carry a 5.23 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 99:27 K:BB across 124 total innings into his next matchup, which projects to come on the road against Kansas City this weekend.
-
Brayan Bello SP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Tallies 11th victory
Bello (11-6) earned the win in Monday's game versus Cleveland, conceding three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.
The Dominican righty was not at his sharpest in this 100-pitch appearance, snapping a run of four consecutive quality outings. Bello did manage to notch his fifth win out of his last seven starts, as he's pitched to a 2.47 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB in 43.2 innings over that stretch. The 26-year-old now sports a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 112:50 K:BB across 146.2 total frames. He currently lines up to make his next start on the road against the Athletics early next week.
-
Parker Messick P | CLE
Guardians' Parker Messick: Struggles in no-decision
Messick took a no-decision in Monday's 6-4 loss at Boston, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.2 innings with two strikeouts.
The Cleveland rookie limited the Red Sox lineup to just one extra-base hit -- an Alex Bregman double in the first -- but was unable to find the magic of his first two appearances in this 82-pitch outing. Messick generated just two whiffs, as a Boston team that entered the day ranked fifth in total runs scored was too much to handle. Across 17.1 total innings, Messick now owns a 2.08 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB. The 24-year-old projects to face the Rays on the road this weekend for his next start.
-
Chris Bassitt SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Six Ks in six strong innings
Bassitt took a no-decision Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.
Monday represented Bassitt's first quality start since his Aug. 3 start against the Royals. The veteran right-hander has walked multiple batters in six consecutive outings, though he has fanned at least six in three straight appearances. Bassitt will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 154:46 K:BB across 156 innings into his next outing, which is slated for this weekend on the road against a Yankees team with an .803 OPS since the beginning of August.
-
Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Tigers' Charlie Morton: Hit hard by Mets on Monday
Morton took a no-decision Monday against the Mets, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out three.
It was Morton's shortest outing since June 7 against the Athletics, and it also was the third time he's surrendered at least five runs in his last five starts. The four walks fell one short of a season worst, and the veteran right-hander has issued multiple free passes in four straight appearances. Morton owns a 5.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB over 31 frames since joining the Tigers, which makes him difficult to trust in his next scheduled start against a hard-hitting Yankees lineup.
-
Ryan Yarbrough RP | NYY
Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough: Rejoins big club as reliever
The Yankees activated Yarbrough (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Yarbrough had been on the shelf since June 22 due to a strained right oblique, but he's been cleared to rejoin the Yankees after delivering a 4.09 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB in 11 innings over three rehab appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The southpaw had been working out of the rotation prior to being shelved, but with rookie Cam Schlittler excelling of late as the Yankees' fifth starter, manager Aaron Boone confirmed last week that Yarbrough will work out of the bullpen upon his return.
-
Eric Lauer SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Moving to bullpen
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Lauer will shift to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, as the team transitions back to a five-man rotation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Lauer has generally been dependable as a back-end starter for the Blue Jays, but he was knocked around over his four appearances (three starts) in August, allowing 13 runs (11 earned) on 27 hits and six home runs over 18.2 innings. With Shane Bieber looking strong thus far since completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery and returning from the injured list, the Blue Jays were comfortable proceeding with five starters. Lauer will likely operate as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, and if he performs well down the stretch, he could secure a spot on the Blue Jays' postseason roster.