MLB Player News

Flexen did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.

Flexen looked good early, striking out two of the first three batters he faced before hurling three scoreless innings. However, he began to struggle with his command in the fourth, allowing three runs on three hits while needing 30 pitches to get out of the inning. The right-hander then surrendered back-to-back home runs with two outs in the fifth before being relieved by Daniel Bard to open the next frame. Flexen has now allowed five runs in two of his three starts since joining the Rockies and has surrendered two long balls in each contest.

Houser did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Colorado. He struck out five.

Houser got off to a solid start, needing only 16 pitches to get through the first two innings. Things unraveled for him in the fourth, however, beginning with a leadoff home run from Jurickson Profar and ending with a two-run single from Harold Castro before the right-hander was finally able to escape the inning. It was only Houser's fourth time this season in which he allowed at least four runs, though two of those occurrences have come over his last three starts. On a positive note, he's now recorded at least five strikeouts in four of his last five outings.

Cueto did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against the Reds while striking out five.

Cueto cruised through the first three innings before surrendering three consecutive hits with two outs in the fourth, two of which left the park to put the Reds up 3-1. The right-hander did manage to get out of the inning, however, and was able to log at least five innings for the fourth straight start. Over that stretch he's recorded a solid 22:5 K:BB, though he's now allowed five home runs over his last three outings. Cueto will look to grab his first win of the season next week when the Marlins take on the Astros at home.

Ashcraft did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 5-4 loss against the Marlins. He struck out seven.

Ashcraft surrendered a leadoff home run to Josh Bell in top of the fourth but was otherwise dominant, allowing only two other hits in the game, both of which came in the first inning. The right-hander threw 17 first-pitch strikes, and it was his third start this season in which he allowed just three hits. Ashcraft has now given up two earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts and has allowed one run or fewer in five of those eight starts. With Thursday's performance he lowered his season ERA to 4.95 and WHIP and 1.41.

Hendricks allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.

Hendricks was staked to an early 2-0 lead, but the Mets tied the game on a Pete Alonso two-run homer in the fourth. That was the only time Hendricks allowed runs to cross the plate, but it was enough to send him to a no-decision. The veteran right-hander didn't pitch deep enough to grab a quality start, but he did bounce back well from a seven-run, four-inning loss against Atlanta his last time out. Hendricks also posted his highest strikeout game this season with his six punchouts Wednesday.

Peterson allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Peterson isn't fully built up after pitching out of the bullpen for most of July, so he was limited to 62 pitches and 3.2 frames Wednesday. The southpaw allowed a run in each of the first and second innings but kept the Mets in the contest, striking out five batters and allowing six baserunners. Peterson looks to have a rotation spot locked down with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer no longer around, and he'll aim to extend further in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home against Pittsburgh early next week.

Darvish allowed an unearned run on six hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.

Darvish has allowed just three runs (two earned) over his last 19 innings across three starts, but he has just one win to show for it in that span. The veteran right-hander was able to trim his ERA to 4.19 with the strong outing, though he still has a shaky 1.25 WHIP and 125:40 K:BB through 120.1 innings over 21 starts. Darvish is projected for a tough matchup in his next start, at home versus the Orioles next week.

Miller allowed four hits and four walks while striking out four over six shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Miller was solid in this start after going 3.2 innings in his previous outing. The downside was that the four walks were a season high, though this was also his third scoreless outing and fifth quality start of the campaign. Miller is at a 3.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 66:21 K:BB through 69.1 innings over 13 starts. He appears likely to hold down the fifth start spot in the rotation going forward, with his next outing tentatively lined up to be at home versus the Brewers next week.

Kelly was taken out of Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to a right leg cramp.

Kelly had pitched six shutout frames before being taken out of the game and limping off the field with a trainer. Kelly has already missed a significant amount of time with a right leg injury, but it seems as though his condition isn't nearly as severe this time around. The team will keep an eye on Kelly, but it remains likely the 34-year-old makes his next scheduled start Monday against Colorado.

Kelly was removed from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers with an apparent injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear what exactly is wrong with Kelly, but the D-backs' trainer saw something he didn't like in Kelly's delivery. More information should come relatively soon, but fantasy managers should consider Kelly day-to-day for now. The 34-year-old righty has already missed a month of the season due to a blood clot in his right calf.