MLB Player News

Stripling did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on five hits over 4.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Stripling worked into the fifth inning, deeper than he's gone into a contest since May 7. The right-hander missed six weeks this season with a back injury and is just now building up to something resembling a normal starter's workload, tossing 72 pitches Friday. He's unlikely to face hitters a third time in any outing, but Stripling seems to be trending in the right direction. He's allowed a total of five earned runs with 14 strikeouts against one walk in 13.1 innings since his return.

Hendricks (3-4) allowed five runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against Boston.

Hendricks gave up just four homers in 53.1 frames prior to Friday's start, during which he coughed up four more. After allowing three or fewer earned runs in his first eight outings, he's given up nine runs in his last two starts. His ERA now sits at 3.57 with a 37:10 K:BB through 58 innings. Hendricks' next start is projected to be at home next week against the Nationals.

Hill did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings against the Giants. He struck out two.

It was not the most impressive performance you'll ever see, but Hill met the requirements for a quality start -- his first since June 9. At 43 years old, Hill is the stereotypical crafty lefty who gets by with his curveball, guts and moxie. He can still be useful as a streaming option, but it's best to avoid him in tough matchups. Hill will head into his next start with a 4.76 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 104 innings this season.

Gomber (8-7) allowed two runs on six hits and struck out two without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Friday over the Yankees.

Gomber turned in his third straight quality start and earned his fourth straight win with another steady effort. He needed just 78 pitches (56 strikes) to complete six frames in his first start of the second half. He carried a 7.25 ERA through his first 15 outings this season, but Gomber is now at a 6.19 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 63:30 K:BB over 96 frames through 19 starts. The Rockies' rotation is dealing with some injury trouble but will catch a break with Monday and Thursday off next week, allowing the team to go with four starters for a while. Gomber could be called upon for a home start versus the Astros.

Sanchez (0-3) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over five innings against the Padres. He struck out five.

The lefty came into this one riding high, having posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB over his first five starts for the Phillies this season (25.1 innings). He was brought down a peg Friday, though it was still a respectable showing, with all the damage being done on a pair of long balls. Sanchez has some streaming appeal, but he'll likely need to keep performing at this level in order to maintain his starting job after the trade deadline. The Phillies are in the mix for a wild-card spot and could add a starting pitcher.

Quintana (rib), whom the Mets activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, is listed as the team's probable starter for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Unless Max Scherzer's lingering neck issue prevents him from starting Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers and Quintana is pressed into action this weekend, the southpaw is slated to make his team debut against one of his former teams in the White Sox. The 34-year-old enjoyed a career renaissance between stops with the Pirates and Cardinals in 2022, pitching to a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 32 starts. Most of Quintana's underlying ratios (4.02 SIERA, 3.86 xERA, 13.3 K-BB%) painted a less rosy picture of his performance, but even a small step back in 2023 would still make him a serviceable back-end rotation arm for the Mets. Quintana built up to 4.1 innings and 78 pitches in his most recent rehab start July 8 for Triple-A Syracuse, so he's not expected to face any major workload restrictions Tuesday.

Darvish (6-6) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Phillies. He struck out nine.

The 36-year-old turned in a vintage performance in his first start of the second half, inducing 13 swinging strikes on 94 pitches. Darvish limped into the All-Star break with a 6.97 ERA over his last six starts, so this was a big step in the right direction. His peripherals are significantly better than his surface stats to this point, so positive regression figures to be ahead for Darvish.

Morton (10-6) allowed three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Friday, striking out four and earning a win over the White Sox.

Morton has given up one earned run or fewer in four of his last six outings, posting a terrific 1.77 ERA during that span. After going a month between wins earlier in the year, the veteran righty has been victorious in five consecutive starts. Morton will carry a 3.20 ERA into his next outing, which is currently scheduled to come at home against Arizona next week.

Ashcraft (4-7) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Brewers. He struck out two.

The right-hander was efficient and kept the ball on the ground, resulting in his third straight quality start, but he was outdueled by Corbin Burnes. Ashcraft has allowed a total of three earned runs over his last three starts spanning 18.2 innings after straying from his groundball ways and battling severe gopheritis in May and June. He should be considered a volatile option given the lack of whiffs. Up next is a home start against the Giants.

Burnes (8-5) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings against the Reds. He struck out 13.

At one point Burnes stepped off the mound and was evaluated by the medical staff, but he powered through whatever was ailing him and finished with his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season. The Milwaukee bullpen completed the shutout and brought the Brewers back into a tie for first in the NL Central. Burnes, who was told by GM Matt Arnold that he will not be traded at the deadline, now has a 3.73 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 115 strikeouts in 113.1 innings this season.