MLB Player News

Carrasco (hip) began a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Akron, covering three innings and striking out three while allowing two earned runs on three hits and no walks.

Carrasco tossed 41 pitches (27 strikes) in the outing, his first since he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 9 with a left hip strain. Though the Guardians wouldn't seem to have an opening in the rotation for Carrasco with rookie Joey Cantillo thriving of late as the club's new No. 5 starter in place of the injured Alex Cobb (finger), Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt told MLB.com on Sept. 3 that he still envisions Carrasco returning from the IL as an option to start. Carrasco is still expected to require at least one more rehab start in the minors before the Guardians activate him and make a decision on his role.

Sears (11-11) yielded four runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the White Sox.

Most of the damage against Sears came in the first inning; he gave up an RBI single to Andrew Vaughn before Gavin Sheets belted a two-run shot. Bryan Ramos then knocked a solo homer in the sixth. Sears has given up at least four runs in three of his last five outings, resulting in a 4.71 ERA over 28.2 innings. His season ERA now sits at 4.24 with a 127:44 K:BB through 30 starts. Sears is in line for a home matchup with the Yankees this weekend.

Kirby (12-11) got the win Sunday over the Rangers after tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three.

The lone hit against Kirby was a single in the second inning and he immediately got a double-play ball on the very next pitch. It was Kirby's 27th quality start with zero walks since 2022, which is seven more than any other player over that span. Seven innings ties his longest outing of the year, and it was his first time going that deep since July 26. His strikeout numbers have dipped a bit lately, as he's struck out fewer than five batters in four of his last five starts. Overall, Kirby is enjoying another strong campaign with a 3.62 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 169:22 K:BB in 179 innings. His next start projects to come on the road against the Rangers again this weekend.

Burke (1-0) yielded two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win against the Athletics.

Burke sprinkled a few baserunners over four shutout frames before Brent Rooker drilled a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Burke picked up his first career win in his second MLB appearance. He forced 15 whiffs, including seven with the slider. Burke has registered a 2.25 ERA and an 8:3 K:BB through eight MLB frames. He's in line for a weekend start in San Diego.

Brubaker (elbow/oblique) resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Brubaker made his first appearance in more than two months, as his rehab from Tommy John surgery had to be paused due to an oblique strain. The 30-year-old could be activated from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season, though it's difficult to imagine him pitching in anything more than a mop-up role out of the Yankees bullpen.

Heaney (5-14) took the loss Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings.

All three runs against Heaney came in the opening frame when Mitch Garver crushed a first-pitch fastball out to center field. Heaney had to work around some traffic on the bases in the second, third and fifth innings but ultimately held the Mariners scoreless after the three-run first. The seven hits allowed were the most by Heaney since he allowed seven on July 26 and he's now given up a home run in back-to-back starts. He's also lost to Seattle in all three meetings this year. For the season, Heaney owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 152:40 K:BB in 150.1 innings. He lines up to face the Mariners again at home over the weekend.

Rodriguez allowed a run on three hits and one walk over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out two during the win over St. Louis.

Rodriguez worked through four shutout frames before the Cardinals tallied a run in the fifth inning. He's thrown fewer than six innings in 11 consecutive appearances, registering a 4.75 ERA while going 0-3 over 47.1 frames during that span. Rodriguez owns a 4.29 ERA with a 77:35 K:BB through 77.2 innings on the year. His next start is lined up to be in Tampa Bay.

Dana (1-2) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Astros.

Dana allowed five runs for the second start in a row, though he was able to pitch fairly well the first time through the order. Four of the five runs on his line came in the fourth inning. Dana now has a 10.45 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB over 10.1 innings through three big-league starts. The 20-year-old offers little fantasy appeal in redraft formats, but this rough first stint in the majors shouldn't impact his long-term outlook. He's tentatively projected for a rematch with the Astros in Houston for his next start.

Blanco (11-6) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Blanco struggled with a 4.98 ERA over 34.1 innings across seven appearances immediately after the All-Star break. He's since turned things around with a 13-inning scoreless streak over three outings (two starts) in September, though it likely helped that he had a turn through the rotation skipped last week. Overall, Blanco has a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 154:64 K:BB through 156.1 innings this season. If the Astros stick with a six-man rotation this week, Blanco is lined up to face the Angels again, with that outing in Houston.

Bradley (6-11) yielded two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against Cleveland.

Bradley escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but was charged with a run in each of the second and fifth frames. While he threw 99 pitches despite not finishing five innings, he managed to generate 15 whiffs, including eight from the splitter. Bradley hasn't earned a win since July 25 and has now lost seven straight decisions. During the losing streak, he's posted a brutal 7.88 ERA over nine starts. Bradley will carry a 4.39 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be at home against the Blue Jays.