MLB Player News

Gonsolin improved to 5-3 with a victory over the Angels on Friday during which he allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out five batters.

Gonsolin was staked to a 4-0 lead through three innings before giving up a Mickey Moniak three-run homer in the fourth. The right-hander bounced back with a scoreless fifth and sixth, then surrendered a solo shot to Mike Moustakas in the seventh. Gonsolin finished having yielded exactly four runs for his third straight start, but this was the best outing of the bunch as he went a season-high 6.2 frames on an efficient 77 pitches (54 strikes). The 29-year-old heads into the All-Star break with a 3.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB over 67.2 innings on the campaign.

Gomber (7-7) allowed two earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out one across six innings to earn the win Friday against the Giants.

Gomber got only four swinging strikes, but he took advantage of spacious Oracle Park and recorded 10 outs via the flyball. He has earned a win in each of his last three outings, combining to allow six earned runs across 18 innings while maintaining an 11:2 K:BB. Even more impressively, two of those starts came at Coors Field, though his inability to generate consistent whiffs will make his results volatile.

Williams (5-5) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings as the Nationals were downed 7-2 by the Rangers. He struck out five.

It's the right-hander's first loss in over a month, although his 4.81 ERA and 1.64 WHIP during the five starts in between defeats suggested he was overdue for one. Williams continues to do little more than give Washington innings, and the 31-year-old could get bumped from the rotation at some point in the second half if the Nats decide to take a look at a younger option like Jackson Rutledge.

Morton (9-6) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Morton notched his seventh quality start and earned his ninth win Friday. Since allowing six runs to the Dodgers on May 22, the veteran right-hander has been solid, posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and11.5 K/9 over his past eight appearances (44.1 innings). If Morton can stay healthy in the second half of the season, he'll have a chance to approach his career-high marks (16 wins, 3.05 ERA, 240 strikeouts and 194.2 innings) from his stellar 2019 campaign with Tampa Bay.

Taillon (3-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing one hit and two walks over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Yankees. He struck out four.

Gleyber Torres rapped a single in the first inning, and that was all the Yankees could manager off the right-hander. Taillon fired 64 of 102 for strikes against the team he pitched for the prior two seasons, giving him just his second quality start of 2023. After a rough start to his Cubs tenure, all three of Taillon's wins have come since the beginning of June, and over his last seven outings he has a 4.69 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 40.1 innings.

Alcantara did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on eight hits over 6.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out five and did not record a walk.

Alcantara allowed at least one home run for a second straight game and the 10th time over 18 appearances this season. However, that was the only damage done against the right-hander Friday, and he was in line for the win until A.J. Puk blew a two-run lead in the top of the ninth. It's certainly been a disappointing 2023 for the reigning NL Cy Young winner, as he currently boasts a career-worst 4.72 ERA and has a 7.4 K/9 -- his worst mark since 2019. Despite his struggles, Alcantara remains the ace of Miami's rotation.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings against the Marlins. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

Wheeler allowed a home run for a third consecutive appearance but still notched his 10th quality start of the year. The right-hander currently holds a 4.05 ERA, which would be his worst mark since 2017 when he made just 17 starts for the Mets, but his 119:22 K:BB over 104.1 innings remains elite. Wheeler doesn't face any competition for his spot in the rotation and figures to continue putting up top-tier strikeout numbers, but his next start won't come until after the All-Star break.

Hill (7-9) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings against Arizona. He struck out three.

Hill continued his struggles Friday, as he has now allowed at least three runs in five straight starts. The southpaw's ERA of 4.78 would be his highest mark since 2013. The veteran's next chance to redeem himself is tentatively slated to be against the Giants at home after the All-Star break.

Darvish (illness) gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Mets on Friday.

A non-COVID-19 illness cost Darvish two starts, though he didn't go on the injured list. The right-hander was a little off in terms of quality in his return to action, but he saw a full workload with 100 pitches (58 strikes) in the outing. Darvish closes a disappointing first half with a 4.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 89:28 K:BB through 85 innings over 15 starts. He'll get another extended rest with the All-Star break before lining up for a road start in Philadelphia to begin the second half.

Verlander allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday.

Verlander has logged quality starts in four of his last seven outings. He struggled a bit early on Friday, but settled in and left with the game tied 3-3. The two strikeouts matched his season low, while he walked multiple batters for the sixth time in 12 starts. Verlander owns a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 57:19 K:BB over 70 innings. He'll likely be in contention to start in a home series versus the Dodgers after the All-Star break.