MLB Player News

Rea (5-3) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two batters over five innings.

Rea was pounded for four homers and seven runs in his previous start, but he gave up a much more palatable one homer and two runs Saturday. While he notched just three whiffs and one punchout, the right-hander didn't issue a free pass and took advantage of ample run support to snap a streak of four straight winless starts. This was presumably Rea's final appearance in June, and the month was certainly a mixed bag for him -- he gave up two or fewer runs in three of his five outings, but in his other two starts he was tagged for a combined 11 runs over 9.2 frames.

Soroka allowed one run on two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Soroka allowed two of those baserunners in the second inning and gave up his lone run on a double-play grounder. This was one of Soroka's better starts of the season -- it was his fourth quality start of the year and the first time in his last four outings he's issued just one free pass. He's winless in that stretch with 11 runs allowed over 22.1 innings, but he's kept the ball in the yard over his last two starts. Soroka is at a 4.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 64:15 K:BB through 59.1 innings through 11 outings this season. The right-hander is lined up for a home start versus the Red Sox in his next outing.

Mikolas allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over four innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Saturday.

Mikolas looked great through three scoreless frames, retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced. Things completely fell apart for him in the fourth, however, as the Guardians tagged him for six hits -- including two homers, two doubles and a triple -- to score six runs. Though he was allowed to finish that inning, Mikolas didn't return for the fifth, marking just the fourth time he's failed to complete at least five innings through 16 starts this season. The right-hander also gave up six or more earned runs for the third time, pushing his ERA up to a mediocre 4.76 across 81.1 frames.

Ray (8-3) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six innings in a loss against the White Sox on Saturday.

Ray fired five scoreless frames before surrendering a solo homer to Andrew Benintendi in the sixth. That ended up being the only run scored in the contest, resulting in Ray taking his second loss over his past three outings. In both of those defeats, Ray has also notched a quality start, and he hasn't give up more than three earned runs in an appearance since April 16, so he's not pitching terribly despite a so-so 3.54 ERA in five June starts. Ray still ranks among the top 15 qualified MLB starters with a 2.75 ERA and 110 punchouts on the season.

Luzardo (7-4) allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out seven over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus Atlanta.

Luzardo wasn't great, but he did an effective job of limiting the damage in this start after giving up one run in each of the first two innings. He finished June with 15 runs allowed over 25 innings, though an eight-run meltdown June 5 skewed the numbers. He also posted a 30:10 K:BB this month, and while that's a little high on the walks side, he ranks top 10 in both strikeouts (111) and K/9 (10.48) so far this season among qualified starters. Luzardo's at a 4.06 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 95.1 innings across 17 starts, and he's tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Reds his next time out.

Schwellenbach (7-4) allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 12 over seven innings to earn the win over Philadelphia on Saturday.

The 12 strikeouts are a season high for Schwellenbach, who continues to pitch deep into games for Atlanta. He's covered at least seven innings in seven of his last nine starts and in nine of 17 outings overall this season. He had some bumpy spots in June but allowed a modest 13 runs (12 earned) over 36 innings while maintaining a 37:6 K:BB for the month. Overall this year, he's at a 3.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 108:18 K:BB through 110.2 innings. If Atlanta uses Monday's off day to skip the fifth spot in the rotation, Schwellenbach is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Angels on normal rest -- if that doesn't happen, he'll likely pitch during next weekend's home series against the Orioles.

Falter did not factor into Saturday's decision against the Mets, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 1.2 innings.

Falter did not return for the top of the second inning following an 89-minute rain delay, and he finished his start tossing 30 pitches (19 strikes). It's unclear whether Falter will be moved up in the rotation given the shortened outing, but if he remains on regular rest, he is slated to make his next start against the Mariners on the road next weekend.

Abbott did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Padres, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Abbott needed 102 pitches to get through five innings, but the only blemish on his line was a solo home run in the fifth. The 26-year-old has allowed just three earned runs over his past four starts and has impressively yielded one earned run or fewer in 12 of 14 outings this season. He'll carry a 1.79 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 76:22 K:BB across 80.1 innings into a road test against the Phillies next weekend.

Vasquez did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Reds, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Vasquez allowed three runs over the first two innings and exited with a 4-1 deficit before the Padres rallied for a comeback win. While the 26-year-old tossed seven frames in his previous start Sunday, he's failed to complete five innings in four of six June outings. He'll carry a 3.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and troubling 48:39 K:BB across 84.1 innings into a home matchup with the Rangers next weekend.

Blackburn (0-3) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out two in one inning. He did not issue a walk.

Blackburn logged both of his strikeouts in the first inning, and the Mets opted to stick with the 31-year-old for the second following an 89-minute rain delay. That turned out to be the wrong move, as he proceeded to issue five straight singles before being lifted for Jose Butto without recording an out in the frame. Blackburn ended up tossing only 33 pitches (21 strikes), and it was the second time this season that he has not made it past two innings in a start. The outing inflated his stats to a 7.71 ERA and 1.98 WHIP across 18.2 innings, and he'll look to bounce back against the Brewers next week at home.