MLB Player News

Marsh (6-6) took the loss against the Rays on Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over three innings while striking out one.

Marsh struggled out of the gate, issuing a walk to each of the first two batters he faced before allowing two runs to come across in the opening frame. He threw only 10 of his 17 first pitches for strikes and lasted just three innings before being relieved by Carlos Hernandez to open the fourth. It marked the second time this season in which Marsh was unable to go beyond three frames and the fourth time that he's surrendered at least five runs. He's also walked multiple batters in five consecutive starts.

Eflin (5-5) picked up the win over the Royals on Thursday, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and one walk over five innings while striking out three.

Eflin didn't have his best stuff Thursday, surrendering at least one run in four of the six innings in which he appeared. Despite those struggles, the veteran right-hander was able to secure his fifth win of the season and the fourth win in his last five decisions (spanning nine starts). Eflin has now gone at least five innings in five consecutive starts, though he's given up multiple runs in four of those outings, raising his ERA to 4.19 on the season.

Pivetta struck out 10 batters while allowing one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against Miami on Thursday.

Pivetta was downright dominant Thursday, racking up 15 swinging strikes en route to his second double-digit punchout performance of the campaign. He held the Marlins hitless until Jesus Sanchez tripled against him in the seventh inning, and the right-hander departed in line for a victory with a 2-0 lead. However, Boston's bullpen eliminated Pivetta's chance for the win by giving up two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Nonetheless, the performance was an excellent bounce-back for Pivetta after he had posted a 6.98 ERA and 1.81 WHIP across his previous four starts.

Festa was told after Thursday's game that he will be sent to Triple-A St. Paul, The Athletic reports.

Festa allowed 12 runs over his first 10 major-league innings in two starts, so this isn't a surprise. He'll likely be replaced by a relief pitcher with an official announcement before Friday's game. Chris Paddack could return Monday from the injured list in time to take back the rotation spot Festa occupied.

Bassitt (7-7) took the loss against Houston on Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Bassitt got off to a terrible start in allowing six of the first seven batters he faced to reach base, resulting in three Astros runs. The veteran hurler bounced back to give up just one more run over the remainder of his five frames, but the first-inning damage was enough to send him to his seventh loss of the season. Bassitt had been rolling coming into Thursday, posting a 1.41 ERA across his previous five starts, and the four runs he yielded against Houston were his most since he gave up seven runs against the Dodgers on April 26. Bassitt's overall numbers this season have been pretty much in line with what fantasy managers have come to expect from him -- he has a 3.43 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 94:41 K:BB across 102.1 frames.

Valdez (7-5) earned the win over Toronto on Thursday, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings.

It looked like Valdez could be in for a rough outing when five of the first six batters he faced got a hit, resulting in three runs. However, the left-hander got out of that frame without incurring additional damage, and he went on to complete six frames without surrendering any more runs. Eight of the nine hits Valdez allowed overall were singles, which was key in limiting damage, as Toronto hit into four double plays against him. This was far from Valdez's sharpest outing, but he was nonetheless able to log his seventh victory and ninth quality start of the campaign.

Lively (8-4) picked up the win Thursday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Lively nabbed his second consecutive quality start -- his fifth of 2024 -- and generated his most punchouts since May 20. The 32-year-old was tagged by Paul DeJong for a two-run homer in the sixth inning but was otherwise excellent. Through 77.1 innings this season, Lively owns a 3.14 ERA and a 67:22 K:BB. He's on track to make his next start against the Tigers in Detroit.

Ober (8-4) picked up the win Thursday against Detroit, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

All three runs scored by the Tigers came with two outs in the second inning after strike three to Zach McKinstry got past Ryan Jeffers and allowed McKinstry to reach first and extend the inning. Still, Ober managed to generate a fourth outing with at least eight Ks, all of which have been quality starts. Through 94 innings this year, Ober owns a 4.12 ERA and a 100:23 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago next time out.

Stroman (7-4) took the loss against Cincinnati on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings.

Stroman struggled to keep the ball in the park Thursday -- of the five hits he allowed, three were long balls, and all five of the runs he yielded came on home runs. The right-hander hadn't been prone to the long ball coming in, as he hadn't given up a homer in three of his prior four starts. Stroman hasn't been pitching particularly well of late, though, as he has a 6.43 ERA across 21 frames covering his past four outings. The five earned runs he allowed against the Reds tied a season-high mark.

Maeda (2-5) allowed nine runs on nine hits across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Twins. He walked three and struck out three.

It was another ugly performance for Maeda, who saw his season ERA climb to 6.71. Outside of a clean first inning, the veteran allowed multiple runs to score in each of his other frames. Maeda had a decent 2023 campaign for these same Twins, posting a 4.23 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 104.1 innings, but he hasn't carried that over into his first season in Detroit. The righty lines up to start again Tuesday against the Guardians, though at this point he can't be trusted by fantasy managers.