MLB Player News

Morton (8-9) yielded four runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Miami.

Morton struggled out of the gate and allowed three runs in the first inning. He kept the Marlins off the board for a few frames before allowing another run in the fifth. He threw 64 of 105 pitches for strikes and forced 12 whiffs, including seven with his curveball. Morton has walked multiple batters in seven straight starts, posting a 44:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings during that span. He now owns a 4.08 ERA with a 164:63 K:BB through 29 starts this season. Morton is projected to make his final regular-season start of 2024 in a home matchup against the Mets next week.

Black (1-4) earned the win Friday at Kansas City, pitching 5.2 scoreless frames while allowing four hits and one walk. He struck out four.

The rookie right-hander turned in the best performance of his young career with this 84-pitch outing -- his first scoreless start. Black had been stuck in a cold spell before this contest, pitching to a 5.27 ERA across 13.2 innings since re-entering the rotation Aug. 31. The 24-year-old managed to lower his season ERA from 7.07 to 5.88, as he now sports a 1.51 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB over 33.2 innings. Black is tentatively scheduled to make his last start against the Cardinals at home next week.

Keller (11-11) took the loss Friday against Cincinnati, allowing eight runs on seven hits and five walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

It was a rough night for Keller, who issued a season-high five walks while taking his fourth loss in his last five outings. The 28-year-old has gone 1-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. Overall, Keller sports a 4.21 ERA on the year with a 1.29 WHIP and 160:48 K:BB across 173 innings. He'll look to end the campaign on a better note in his final start, currently lined up for next week at home versus the Brewers.

Sanchez (11-9) picked up the win Friday versus the Mets, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Although he issued a career-high five walks, the 27-year-old lefty managed to collect a win thanks to the ability to induce grounders (70 percent groundball rate) in this contest. Out of the three hits Sanchez allowed, the only two extra-base hits -- one homer and one double -- came off the bat of leadoff hitter Jose Iglesias. Sanchez has been punching out batters at a greater clip over his last six starts, producing a 10.1 K/9 over his last 36.2 innings, compared to a 6.9 K/9 across his first 140.1 frames this season. He is slated to make his next outing against the Cubs at home next week.

Peterson (9-3) took the loss Friday against Philadelphia, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and no walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw failed to reach the fifth inning for the first time this season, as he allowed a run in every frame during this 64-pitch performance. This is now the second time in three starts Peterson has yielded four earned runs after previously stringing together seven consecutive outings allowing two or fewer runs. The 29-year-old's ERA has risen to 3.08 across 114 total innings to go with a 1.33 WHIP and 93:43 K:BB. Peterson will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled to be one with tremendous playoff implications at Atlanta next week.

Williams (5-1) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits across five innings. He struck out seven.

While Williams would ultimately take his first loss of the season, the right-hander seemed to pick up where he left off prior to going on the IL in late May. A Dansby Swanson homer in the first inning proved to be the lone mark against William before he'd blank the Cubs over his final four frames. The 32-year-old Williams boasts a 2.19 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season. He'll likely make one more start this season, currently scheduled for next week at home versus the Phillies.

Taillon (11-8) earned the win Friday over the Nationals, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out four.

It's the fourth straight quality start for Taillon -- he's allowed just three runs across 25 innings in that span. The 32-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.41 with a 1.14 WHIP and 123:31 K:BB across 27 starts (158.1 innings) this year. Taillon will look to end the regular season on a high note in his final outing, which is likely to come next week on the road in Philadelphia.

Kershaw (toe) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw's injured big left toe isn't at 100 percent, and the injury has prevented the veteran southpaw from executing pitches in a timely fashion, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Kershaw may need another bullpen session or two before facing live hitters as he aims to return from the 15-day injured list before the start of the playoffs.

Nelson (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson has been on the injured list since last Saturday due to shoulder inflammation. The fact he's been cleared to return to a mound after just a week on the IL bodes well for his chances of being activated after a minimum-length stay, but he still has a few more boxes to check before the D-backs can pencil him back into their rotation.

Lopez (shoulder) began playing catch Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Friday marks the first time Lopez has done any sort of throwing since landing on the injured list Sept. 11 with right shoulder inflammation. He remains without a timeline for his return, though one may emerge once he's cleared to throw off a mound.