MLB Player News

Wacha (10-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out nine batters over six scoreless innings.

The Royals built a 10-run lead through three frames, so Wacha didn't face much pressure in the contest. Still, he didn't let down his guard, yielding just four hits -- all of which were singles -- while tossing six scoreless frames for his fourth consecutive quality start. Wacha's nine punchouts were a season high, and he reached the double-digit win mark for the fifth time in his 12-year career.

The Orioles will option Povich to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich was brought up to the big-league club to start Saturday's game against the Red Sox and give the other members of the Orioles' rotation an additional day of rest. The 24-year-old was dealt the loss but pitched well, completed 6.1 innings and striking out six batters while allowing two runs on six hits and no walks. He'll head back to Norfolk for the time being but should be first in line to join the rotation if a spot opens up at some point down the road. After Saturday's loss, Povich has a 1-6 record to go along with a 5.77 ERA and 31:23 K:BB across 43.2 innings in the big leagues.

Bassitt (9-12) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Bassitt surrendered a leadoff homer to Ian Happ in the first inning and then yielded two more runs in the fifth. He battled through two rain delays but failed to record a win or quality start for the fifth time in six chances since the All-Star break. On the year, the veteran owns a 4.34 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 134:54 K:BB across 139 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Angels next week.

Flexen (2-12) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out one over four innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Astros.

Flexen was decent over the first two innings, but a three-run third took this start off the rails. It was his 18th start in a row without a win, and it's the third straight outing in which he's failed to complete five innings. The 30-year-old right-hander is now at a 5.46 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 85:51 K:BB through 122 innings over 26 appearances (24 starts). Flexen's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Tigers.

Brown (11-7) allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the White Sox.

This was Brown's longest start since June 14, and he threw 69 of 102 pitches for strikes to take advantage of a soft matchup. The lone blemish came on a first-inning RBI single by Gavin Sheets. Brown continues to walk a lot of batters -- he's issued 21 free passes over 60 innings across his last 10 starts, but he's added 63 strikeouts in that span. Overall, he has a 3.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 145:50 K:BB through 134.1 innings over 25 appearances (24 starts) this season. Brown is projected for a tougher road start in Baltimore next week.

Castillo (10-12) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Castillo allowed four runs, including two homers, while generating 11 swinging strikes on 103 pitches. He broke a streak of seven consecutive quality starts and surrendered multiple home runs for the first time since June 20. On the season, the 31-year-old owns a 3.51 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 154:43 K:BB across 153.2 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Giants next week.

Bibee (10-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out seven over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Brewers.

Bibee has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last five starts, but he didn't receive enough run support this time. The right-hander continues to put together a strong year with a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 144:32 K:BB over 132.1 innings across 24 starts. Bibee is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.

Montero (4-5) earned the win against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out five over five scoreless innings.

Montero retired the final nine batters he faced to earn his third consecutive win. The rookie has yielded four earned runs or more in six of his past 10 outings, but he has thrown five innings or more in all but one of those appearances. On the season, he owns a 5.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 49:19 K:BB across 59.2 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the White Sox next week.

Rodon (13-8) took the loss against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Rodon was burned by a three-run second inning in his shortest outing of the season. He entered Saturday on a four-game win streak but has now failed to log a quality start in any of his three August outings. On the year, the southpaw owns a 4.34 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 148:44 K:BB across 134.2 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Guardians next week.

Schmidt is scheduled for a live batting practice session Sunday, per MLB.com.

The session will be Schmidt's fourth against live hitters as he continues to work his way back from a right lat strain. The right-hander threw 32 pitches in his most recent live BP on Wednesday and could raise that count in what is expected to be his final such session Sunday. Schmidt is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment late next week, and he could be back with the Yankees in the second week of September.