MLB Player News

Giants manager Tony Vitello said that Houser will start Wednesday's game against the Astros in San Francisco, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Houser will essentially be making a second straight turn through the rotation, after he worked behind an opener and picked up a win while throwing five innings of one-run ball in bulk relief Friday against the Tigers. Trevor McDonald's season-ending elbow injury as well as the recent trades of Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle should keep a rotation spot available for Houser over the balance of the season if he's able to perform well enough to maintain it. Over 23 appearances (14 starts) with the Giants, Houser owns a 4.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB across 97 innings.

Irvin (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings as the Nationals were downed 8-6 by the Cubs. He struck out four.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, Chicago tagged Irvin for runs in each of the next three frames before the right-hander got the hook after 88 pitches (56 strikes). Irvin has made three starts since coming off the IL in late July, and he's surrendered five runs in two of them while serving up four homers in 13.2 innings, including a solo shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday. Irvin will try to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Mets.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The ball was flying at Nationals Park as the two teams combined for six long balls, and Imanaga served up half of them, though he was able to limit the damage. The veteran southpaw left the mound after 86 pitches (55 strikes) as he got tagged for more than two runs for the first time since June 24. Over seven starts and 40.2 innings between those shaky performances, Imanaga put together a 1.77 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

Perez (6-9) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Matched up against Paul Skenes, Perez rose to the occasion and fired 62 of 100 pitches for strikes while preventing Pittsburgh from even getting a runner into scoring position. The win was Perez's first since July 5, but he hasn't been pitching poorly -- during that five-start stretch, the 23-year-old delivered a 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 30 innings despite winding up with an 0-3 record. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Cincinnati.

Skenes (9-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Marlins. He struck out four.

Pittsburgh's hitters couldn't solve Eury Perez and the Miami bullpen, giving Skenes no margin for error in a solid outing. While Skenes made an early exit after 65 pitches (45 strikes), manager Don Kelly told Jason Mackey of MLB.com after the game that there was no injury concern with the right-hander. Instead, the game situation presented Kelly with an opportunity to give the 24-year-old right-hander a bit of extra rest. Skenes has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs in 14.1 innings over his prior three starts, and his fastball velocity was down over one tick Tuesday, averaging 95.7 mph. Skenes will look to rally in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox.

Kelly (leg) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rockies in Arizona.

Kelly was lifted midway through the sixth inning of his latest start Friday against the Dodgers due to right leg cramping, but the veteran right-hander looks ready to return to the hill on four days' rest after receiving treatment for the issue. Though Kelly's ERA (4.88) and WHIP (1.47) currently sit at career-worst levels, he's at least consistently provided the Diamondbacks with length in his starts, working at least five innings in 17 consecutive outings.

Snell allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10 over six innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Tuesday.

Snell's long-awaited return from an elbow procedure was well worth the wait. He had pitched in just one other game this season after opening the year on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. He had loose bodies removed from his elbow after that May 9 start versus Atlanta. Assuming he can stay healthy, Snell is poised to be a big boost for the Dodgers' rotation and his fantasy managers' lineups down the stretch. He threw 84 pitches (55 strikes) in Tuesday's game, so he shouldn't be facing much in the way of a limitation heading into his next start, which is projected to be in Colorado early next week.

Whisenhunt (3-3) allowed one run on four hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Astros on Tuesday.

Whisenhunt had arguably his best outing of the season so far, though it was mostly because the Astros couldn't capitalize on many of their chances. Still, Whisenhunt had allowed 14 runs over his three previous starts, so this was a step in the right direction. The southpaw has a 6.11 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 22:18 K:BB through 28 innings over six starts this season, and that walk rate is likely to remain a problem. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Cleveland.

Bratt allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Tuesday.

Bratt cruised until giving up a game-tying home run to Kyle Karros in the sixth inning. He's allowed just three runs over his last 18 innings while adding a 15:8 K:BB in that span. Bratt won the battle to stay in the rotation even after Michael Soroka returned from a glute injury, and with none of Arizona's other starting pitchers on the injured list expected back before September, Bratt is poised for a few more turns through the rotation. The 23-year-old has logged a 3.74 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 25:19 K:BB through 33.2 innings over his first seven starts in the majors. He's tentatively lined up to make his next start on the road in Boston.

Sugano (12-5) allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Sugano has three quality starts and four wins over five outings since he returned from a bout of back spasms. In that span, he's given up just 11 runs over 29.1 innings, though he's been tagged for eight home runs, including a pair of solo shots in Tuesday's outing. With 24 homers allowed this season, the long ball has been the main cause of the few struggles Sugano has had. He's at a 4.43 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 66:26 K:BB through 113.2 innings over 21 starts. His next start is projected to be in a matchup to avoid, as he's lined up to get the ball at home against the Dodgers early next week.