MLB Player News

Wacha (7-6) allowed four hits and a walk over seven shutout frames Friday, striking out seven and earning a win over the White Sox.

Wacha gave up a leadoff double on the second pitch of the game but allowed just one other runner to reach scoring position during his outing. He retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced. Since giving up seven runs to the Rangers on May 4, Wacha hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start. During that 10-game stretch, he's 6-2 with a 2.30 ERA. Wacha dropped his season ERA down to 3.55 with an 85:28 K:BB through 96.1 innings. His next start is projected to be at home against the Diamondbacks.

Kochanowicz will start Saturday's game against the Athletics in Oakland.

The rookie right-hander will be making his second turn through the rotation despite laboring in his MLB debut versus Seattle back on July 11, when he lasted just three innings while surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits and no walks. Kochanowicz's spot in the rotation is far from secure over the long haul, so another poor showing in Oakland could put him at risk of a demotion to the minors.

Pivetta allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Pivetta posted a scoreless outing for the fourth time this year, including twice over three starts in July. While he was able to keep the Dodgers at bay, Zack Kelly and Brennan Bernardino combined to unravel in the eighth inning, culminating in a game-deciding grand slam from Freddie Freeman. Pivetta's winless stretch is now at five starts, and he remains at 4-6 on the year despite a solid 3.87 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 96:21 K:BB through 81.1 innings over 15 starts. The right-hander is projected for a difficult road start at Colorado in his next outing.

Brown (8-6) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five over six shutout innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Friday.

Brown walked multiple batters for the fourth time in five starts, but his only loss in that span came the one time he issued a single free pass. He's kept opponents off the board in five of his last eight outings and has record a quality start in 10 of his last 11 trip to the mound. Brown's walk rate is about the only issue for him at this point -- he has a 3.5 BB/9 overall, though since May 22 he has a 2.7 mark. The 25-year-old has added a 4.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 110:41 K:BB through 104.1 innings across 20 appearances (19 starts). Brown is projected to face the Athletics in a road start next week.

Castillo (8-10) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Astros.

All of the scoring came in the third inning, when Castillo allowed five straight batters (three hits, one walk, one hit-by-pitch) to reach base. While he was efficient, needing just 90 pitches (58 strikes) to get through seven frames, the Mariners' offense once again gave him little support. Castillo has logged three straight quality starts in July and now sits at a 3.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 119:35 K:BB through 124.1 innings over 21 starts this season. He's projected for a favorable home start versus the Angels in his next outing.

Sears (7-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits over 5.2 innings and struck out four without walking a batter to earn the win Friday over the Angels.

Sears gave up a pair of solo home runs, but he received enough run support to earn his third straight win. He's allowed four runs (three earned) over 16.1 innings while adding an 18:3 K:BB during that winning streak, which spans all of July. The southpaw is now at a 4.49 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 80:32 K:BB through 106.1 innings across 20 starts this season. Sears is projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros.

Canning said he was dealing with irritation in his right elbow when throwing his slider during Friday's loss to the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Canning only managed to get through 3.1 innings during Friday's contest, and his elbow issue may have played a factor in the six earned runs he gave up in that span. The 28-year-old noted that he's not too concerned about his elbow, though it's likely something that the Angels will want to keep an eye on leading up to his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come Wednesday in Seattle.

Burnes (10-4) allowed a run on two hits and four walks over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rangers.

The lone blemish on Burnes' final line was a solo shot from Nathaniel Lowe in the second inning. It was the first time this year that he'd issued more than three walks in a start -- over his previous four outings, he had walked just one batter. Burnes has gone 7-2 with an impressive 2.10 ERA over his last 12 starts. The veteran righty lowered his ERA to 2.38 with a 116:29 K:BB through 124.2 frames. His next outing is currently expected to come in Miami.

Eovaldi (6-4) yielded six runs on eight hits over five innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Orioles.

Eovaldi got off to a rocky start, coughing up a pair of two-run homers in the first inning. He kept Baltimore off the board for a few frames before Anthony Santander joined the party with a two-run shot in the fifth. Eovaldi had given up three homers over his previous four outings before Friday's unsightly outing. On the bright side, he has now gone four straight starts without issuing a free pass. Eovaldi will carry a 3.36 ERA into his next outing, which lines up to come at home against the White Sox.

Bassitt (8-8) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

With this outing, the Toronto right-hander continued a run of poor performance that saw him yield seven runs across 10 innings in his last two outings before the All-Star break. Bassitt allowed multiple homers for the first time since April 26, as Mark Canha and Wenceel Perez each hit two-run shots. The veteran pitcher's ERA now stands at 3.71 over 114 innings this season. Bassitt currently lines up to make his next start against the Rays at home.