MLB Player News

Matz allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five across 2.2 innings in a loss to the Braves on Friday.

Friday was Matz's first time pitching since he was activated from the injured list Sunday, and it was his first start since Aug. 15. The rust was clearly evident as he allowed eight hits (including two home runs) and three walks to the first 16 batters he faced. Matz's outing makes him the third consecutive Mets starter to fail to go at least three innings after both Jacob deGrom (hamstring) and Seth Lugo were pulled before the third in their respective starts. The southpaw owns a 9.79 ERA to go along with a 30:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings this season. It's unclear if he'll get another turn in the rotation, or if he'll shift back to the bullpen moving forward.

Mahle (2-2) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings in a win over the White Sox on Friday.

Mahle did a good job to quiet the American League's second-ranked scoring offense, and in turn extended the Reds' winning streak to six games. He ran into some major trouble in the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out, but with the help of Tejay Antone, Mahle was able to limit the damage to one run. The 25-year-old righty now has a 3.97 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB in 45.1 innings this year. He gets one more start during the regular season, which lines up for Wednesday against the Brewers, though the Reds could always shift some guys around over the final week.

Eflin (3-2) picked up the win during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, allowing four hits and two walks over seven shutout innings in a 7-0 victory. He struck out nine.

The right-hander picked a good time for his best start of the season, as the Phillies are holding onto the first wild-card spot in the National League and are trying to catch the Marlins for the second seed in the NL East. Eflin will take a 4.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 61:13 K:BB through 48.1 innings into his final start of the regular season, currently scheduled for Sept. 25 in Tampa Bay.

Williams (1-8) took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader as the Pirates were downed 6-5 by the Cardinals, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

It was the first time all season Williams hasn't issued a free pass, but that was about the only bright spot in an otherwise poor outing. The 28-year-old served up multiple homers for the third straight start and the fourth time in five trips to the mound, and on the year he now carries a 6.70 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 45:18 K:BB and 2.54 HR/9 through 49.2 innings while also leading the league in losses. He'll get one more start Wednesday, at home against the Cubs.

Martinez didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing five runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

While the blow to his ERA was cushioned by some poor defense -- the first Pittsburgh run scored on a catcher's interference call against Yadier Molina, and errors by Paul DeJong and Tommy Edman contributed to a three-run fourth inning for the Bucs -- Martinez was mostly the author of his own misfortune, walking the first three batters he faced and throwing only 41 of 77 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. The right-hander will take an 8.40 ERA and 14:8 K:BB through 15 innings into what's likely to be his final appearance of the regular season Wednesday in Kansas City.

Paddack (4-4) picked up the win Friday after holding the Mariners scoreless with three strikeouts across six innings. He allowed two walks and one hit.

Paddack, who was lifted after two innings during last Friday's start because of a right ankle sprain, seemed to have made a full recovery thanks to the extra days of rest. The 24-year-old was in dominant form, blanking the Mariners across six innings while allowing only a single to Evan White in the third frame. It was his fifth quality start of the year and the third time this season that he did not allow a run. With the win, Paddack improves to a 4.23 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He'll take the mound again Wednesday against the Angels.

Wood gave up three runs on five hits and struck out a pair over two innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Friday.

Wood wasn't expected to pitch deep into what was a bullpen game for the Dodgers. He did fine in the first inning, but got tagged for a three-run homer by Josh Fuentes in the second. The 29-year-old Wood now has a 6.10 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 13 strikeouts across 10.1 innings this season. He'll likely remain in a relief role going forward.

Rasmussen (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning and struck out two to earn the win Friday versus the Royals.

Rasmussen worked the fifth inning right after the Brewers took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The solid performance gave Rasmussen his first career major-league win. He has a 2.13 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 12.2 innings across nine appearances in a low-leverage role.

Houser allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Friday.

Houser's struggles were not his fault alone -- the Brewers defense did him few favors -- but he was in line for the loss when he exited. The Brewers' six-run rally in the bottom of the fourth allowed Houser to escape the outing with no damage to his record. The 27-year-old now has a 5.33 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 50.2 innings this season. He's failed to pitch more than five innings in each of his last five starts. Houser's next start is expected to be Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Gallen (2-2) allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk and struck out six over six innings in a win over the Astros on Friday.

Gallen's wild pitch in the first inning allowed the Astros to strike first. He also allowed a solo shot to George Springer in the fifth, but the Diamondbacks surged ahead in the top of the seventh. Gallen continued his solid season Friday, and the right-hander now has a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 66 innings. His last start of the regular season is expected to be next Friday in one game of a doubleheader versus the Rockies.