MLB Player News
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Paul Blackburn SP | NYM
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Placed on injured list
The Mets placed Blackburn on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right hand contusion.
The right-hander suffered the injury during his start against the Padres on Friday, but he appeared set to avoid a stint on the injured list after a CT scan came back negative Saturday. However, Blackburn experienced some stiffness and soreness when he attempted to throw Sunday, per Tim Healey of Newsday, and the Mets are hoping he can return after a minimum-length stay on the IL. Tylor Megill is the likely candidate to get called up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Blackburn's spot in the starting rotation.
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Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Allows five runs in no-decision
Kershaw did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the Rays, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings while striking out five.
Kershaw struggled right out of the gate, allowing five consecutive batters to reach with one out in the opening frame, which would lead to four runs coming across for Tampa Bay. The veteran lefty would then hold the Rays scoreless over the next three innings before surrendering another run in the fifth, coughing up a season-high five earned runs overall on the night. The nine hits were also the most he's allowed on the campaign, though he was still able to make it through five innings for the third consecutive outing. Kershaw now carries a 2.95 ERA in August to go along with an 18:5 K:BB.
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Michael King SP | SD
Padres' Michael King: Command issues in loss
King (11-7) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing five runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
King struggled with his command early, issuing three walks in the opening frame while also surrendering an RBI double to Pete Alonso. The right-hander then went 1-2-3 through each of the next two innings before stumbling again in the fourth, coughing up a grand slam to Francisco Lindor as the Mets took a commanding 5-0 lead -- though none of the last four runs would count against him on account of a fielding error by Manny Machado. Despite his struggles, King still made it through five innings for his 10th consecutive start, and he now carries a 2-1 record in August to go along with a 2.45 ERA and 30:7 K:BB. He's also recorded six or more strikeouts in seven straight outings.
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Kolby Allard SP | PHI
Phillies' Kolby Allard: Promoted for spot start
The Phillies recalled Allard from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game against the Royals.
Philadelphia will use the left-hander as a spot starter since the team's next scheduled off day isn't until Sept. 2. Allard has a 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across 13 big-league innings this season, and he allowed five runs over four frames in his most recent outing with Lehigh Valley last Sunday.
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David Peterson SP | NYM
Mets' David Peterson: Strong in eighth win
Peterson (8-1) picked up the win over the Padres on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 7.1 innings while striking out two.
Peterson surrendered just one hit through the first four innings before allowing three of the first four batters to reach in the fifth, leading to one run coming home for San Diego. He was later relieved by Dedniel Nunez with one out in the eighth, marking the second consecutive start in which he's been able to get through at least seven innings. Peterson has also logged a quality start in three straight and in four of his five outings this month. On the downside, his two strikeouts Saturday marked his lowest total in that category since July 1 against the Nationals, and he's now issued multiple walks in seven of his last nine starts.
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Casey Kelly RP | CIN
Reds' Casey Kelly: Finishes off Saturday's win
Kelly was credited with a save in Saturday's 10-2 win over the Pirates after striking out two batters over three perfect innings of relief.
Called up from Triple-A Louisville earlier Saturday, Kelly was summoned from the bullpen after starter Julian Aguiar covered six innings before departing with an eight-run lead. In what was his first MLB appearance since 2018, Kelly made quick work of the Pirates, needing 38 pitches to record his nine outs. Though he was deployed out of the bullpen Saturday, Kelly had been stretched out as a starter at Louisville, and he could be in line to get a look in the Cincinnati rotation with Hunter Greene (elbow) and Andrew Abbott (shoulder) both recently landing on the injured list. The Reds currently have four healthy starters, but with a stretch of six games in five days coming up this week, the team will require two additional starters.
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Jake Irvin SP | WAS
Nationals' Jake Irvin: Can't get through six frames
Irvin did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings while striking out three.
Irvin allowed the leadoff man to reach in each of the first two innings to open the contest but managed to escape without allowing any damage on both occasions. However, the lack of command caught up with the right-hander as he went on to surrender a solo shot to Orlando Arcia on a hanging slider in the fifth before then giving up back-to-back hits to open the sixth. Irvin was then relieved by Robert Garcia with no outs in the frame, and Garcia allowed back-tb-back hits. Irvin has given up multiple runs in nine consecutive starts, going 2-4 over that stretch while posting a 5.92 ERA. Irvin has also served up at least one long ball in four consecutive outings.
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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Braves' Charlie Morton: Strikes out six in no-decision
Morton did not factor into the decision in Saturday's win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out six.
Both runs charged to Morton on the night came across on a two-run homer from Jose Tena in the second inning. The right-hander would then hurl three consecutive scoreless frames before being relieved by Aaron Bummer with two outs in the sixth. It marked the second straight outing in which Morton has been unable to get through six innings, though he's now given up two or fewer runs in each of his last three starts. He's also recorded six or more strikeouts in four of five starts in August, posting a 30:8 K:BB over that stretch.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Good injury news confirmed
Reds manager David Bell said Saturday that Greene is confirmed to be dealing with inflammation in his right elbow after an MRI revealed no UCL damage, MLB.com reports.
The Reds received good news on the injury a week ago, but the team and Greene sought more opinions. Three separate doctors have confirmed the diagnosis of inflammation. The right-hander will need at least two weeks for the swelling to subside before he begins a throwing program, so he likely won't be a candidate to return from the 15-day injured list until mid-September in a best-case scenario.
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Ranger Suarez SP | PHI
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Earns win in return
Suarez (11-5) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings to earn the win Saturday in the Phillies' 11-2 victory over the Phillies.
Suarez missed a month due to back soreness, which partially explains why he posted a 6.67 ERA over 27 innings across his last five starts before heading to the injured list. He was back in strong form Saturday, though he threw just 72 pitches (46 strikes) in the blowout win, earning his first victory since June 8. The southpaw is now at a 2.82 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 122:28 K:BB through 124.1 innings over 21 starts this season. He's lined up for a home start versus Atlanta next week.