MLB Player News

Wheeler (8-5) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over 6.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out 11.

Wheeler completed at least six innings for a fourth straight game and recorded his third outing of the season with at least 11 strikeouts. The right-hander hasn't been perfect this year, but he sports a solid 3.74 ERA and a stellar 145:24 K:BB across 21 starts (125 innings). Wheeler is under contract through 2024, but if he keeps pitching like he has recently (33:2 K:BB over last four appearances), the 33-year-old could start thinking about another long-term deal soon.

Keller (9-7) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out eight.

Keller recorded at least eight strikeouts for the ninth time across 22 starts this season, but he finished one out away from a quality start and suffered his seventh loss. The right-hander came into the contest having allowed 14 runs over his past two starts, so Friday's outing was certainly a bounce-back performance, though still not good enough to pull out a win against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies. At one point, Keller was in the midst of a breakout campaign and the Pirates were contending for a division title, but his recent struggles have marred some of the excellent work he did earlier in the campaign. Either way, with 145 strikeouts he's already eclipsed the career-high mark he set last year (138) and is poised to continue adding to that total despite Pittsburgh falling completely out of the playoff picture.

Williamson (3-2) allowed two runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings to pick up the win Friday over the Dodgers.

Williamson's 12 baserunners were by far his most in an appearance this season, but he was able to work around the trouble. He finishes July having not allowed more than two runs in any outing, and he gave up just seven runs over 25.2 innings across his five starts for the month. Williamson has a 4.48 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:27 K:BB through 64.1 innings through 13 starts this year. He's projected for a road start versus the Cubs next week.

Miller (6-2) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Reds.

The Reds did their damage in the first inning, which included Jake Fraley tagging Miller for a two-run home run. Miller appears to be mostly back on track, having allowed seven runs over his last 15.2 innings following a rough stretch in the latter half of June. The rookie right-hander has a 4.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 59:16 K:BB through 59.2 innings over 11 starts this season. He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Padres next week, though that could change if the Dodgers continue to add starting pitching ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Miller likely has the upper hand on remaining in the rotation over Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove, who have both struggled lately and will get one more audition each over the remainder of this weekend's series.

Webb (8-9) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 7.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Red Sox.

Webb turned in a quality start in response to his 1.1-inning disaster start versus the Nationals last weekend. The Giants' offense remained cold Friday, limited to just two runs on six hits and a walk, leaving Webb with a tough-luck loss. The right-hander posted four quality starts over five outings in July and ends the month with a 3.49 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 140:24 K:BB through 141.2 innings over 22 starts this season. Webb is projected for a home start versus the Diamondbacks next week.

DeSclafani appears set to work in bulk relief again Saturday against the Red Sox with Ryan Walker being named the Giants' opening pitcher, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants have had some success throwing openers in front of their starters this season. It didn't work out well for DeSclafani last weekend -- he allowed four runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings against Washington -- but San Francisco will give it another try Saturday. DeSclafani has a 7.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 32.1 innings since the start of June.

Henry (5-4) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Mariners.

Henry gave up all four runs and five of the seven baserunners during an ugly first inning. He was able to settle down from there, but the damage was already done, sending the southpaw to his third straight loss. In that span, he's given up 11 runs (10 earned) over 14.2 innings following a three-start stretch in which he allowed just two runs across 18.1 frames. For the season, Henry owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 64:35 K:BB through 89 innings across 17 appearances (16 starts). He's lined up for a road start in San Francisco next week.

Freeland (4-11) allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Oakland.

Making his first start since July 9 after a stint on the injured list, Freeland stumbled out of the gate; all five runs that scored against him came during the first three innings. While only three runs were earned, Freeland's ERA still rose to 4.79 through 107 innings. He threw 70 pitches Friday and should be fine for a full workload in his next outing, which is currently projected to be at home against San Diego.

Smyly (8-7) yielded one run on two hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win against the Cardinals.

Smyly worked out of the bullpen again Friday, entering the game in the third inning after Hayden Wesneski covered the first two frames. It was a solid rebound performance for Smyly after he had allowed 22 earned runs over his previous 21 innings. He lowered his season ERA to 4.50 with a 97:37 K:BB through 108 frames. Smyly is expected to remain in a bulk relief role and is currently in line to take the mound against the Reds at home next week.

Montgomery (6-9) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Cubs.

He rolled through four shutout frames before the Cubs finally broke through in the fifth inning. Montgomery's been tagged with two consecutive losses while giving up eight earned runs over 12 innings during that stretch. Before that, he'd yielded one earned run or fewer in each of his previous five outings. Montgomery is sporting a 3.42 ERA and 108:35 K:BB through 121 frames. His next start is projected to come at home against the Twins next week, provided St. Louis doesn't trade him before then.