MLB Player News

Sullivan tossed 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Miami on Monday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Sullivan gave up two runs in the second inning, but Colorado stormed back to take a 5-2 lead by the end of the third frame. However, the southpaw couldn't hang onto the advantage; he gave up a solo homer to Otto Lopez in the fifth inning, then put two more runners on base, both of whom came around to score following his departure. Sullivan has completed five innings just once over his four starts this season, and he's yielded four homers over 16.2 frames. He did at least manage a season-best five punchouts Monday, but with an ugly 8.64 ERA, Sullivan may not be long for the big-league rotation.

Mahle (1-8) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings to take the loss Monday versus the Diamondbacks.

Mahle looked good in his return from a month-long absence due to a hamstring injury last week versus the Athletics, but he couldn't repeat the effort. Due to the injury, he's faced the Diamondbacks in three of his last four games, allowing a total of 13 runs over 14.1 innings against them. For the season, he has a 5.67 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 64:29 K:BB through 66.2 innings over 13 starts. Mahle will probably have a hard time getting back on track over the weekend in a tough road matchup in Colorado.

Alcantara (9-4) earned the win over Colorado on Monday, allowing five runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings.

Alcantara had a rough beginning to his outing, giving up five runs by the end of the third inning. However, he was able to keep the Rockies off the scoreboard for the remainder of his time in the game, and Miami's offense provided enough support to gift the right-hander the win. Despite earning the victory, Alcantara was far from sharp -- he threw only 55 of 96 pitches for strikes and served up five free passes, his second-highest total of the season. Nonetheless, he wrapped up June by going 6-0 over his six starts to push his record to 9-4 on the campaign. Among MLB hurlers, only Aaron Ashby (11) has more victories than Alcantara to this point.

Rodriguez (7-2) allowed one run on five hits and struck out one without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win over the Giants on Monday.

Rodriguez was able to effectively pitch to contact against a Giants lineup that continues to struggle to build a rally. This was the fourth time in five games Rodriguez pitched into the seventh inning, and it's the second time all season he's avoided issuing a walk. He's now at a 2.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 71:38 K:BB through 102 innings over 17 starts. There's some risk of regression later in the season due to his career-best .247 BABIP, but Rodriguez is in the midst of his best campaign to date despite a hefty drop in strikeouts. The southpaw's next start is projected to be at home versus the Brewers over the weekend.

Messick (7-5) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks over 6.2 innings against the Rangers. He struck out five.

Messick got through six innings with two runs allowed but lost steam in the seventh frame, surrendering another two runs and ultimately taking the loss. The 25-year-old followed a dazzling first 12 starts of the season with a somewhat disappointing June, going 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 31.2 innings (five starts). Messick will take a 2.85 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 106:29 K:BB across 101 innings (17 starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the White Sox.

Johnson (1-3) allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and a hit batsman while striking out three and walking none over five innings to take the loss Monday versus the Mariners.

Johnson wasn't able to build off his dominant win over the Orioles from his last start. The Mariners were able to get to him in the third and fourth innings, and the Angels' offense wasn't able to offer a response. Johnson is now at a 7.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB over 24.1 innings through seven games (four starts) this season. The right-hander is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Red Sox.

Lambert (6-5) completed 5.2 innings in a loss to Minnesota on Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters.

The Twins made the most of their hits against Lambert, clubbing three homers to account for all four of their runs against him. The three long balls were the most the veteran righty has given up in an outing this season, though he's now served up at least one home run in each of his past five starts. Lambert had been pitching well in June coming into Monday, post a 2-0 record with a 2.31 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over four starts spanning 23.1 innings. He still has a pretty good 3.51 ERA on the campaign, and he'll try to get back on track his next time out, which is lined up to be a road matchup against the Nationals.

Kirby (7-7) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven over eight innings to earn the win over the Angels on Monday.

Kirby allowed both runs within the first three innings before settling in for a strong performance. He threw 70 of 100 pitches for strikes in his fourth straight quality start. In that span, he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 26 innings with a 27:6 K:BB. For the season, Kirby has a 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 91:24 K:BB through 104 innings over 17 starts.

Matthews (4-5) earned the win over Houston on Monday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over seven innings.

Matthews gave up just one extra-base hit Monday, a fifth-inning solo homer by Cam Smith. That was also the only run the righty-handed hurler allowed en route to his third straight quality start. Matthews matched his season high with seven punchouts and needed a modest 89 pitches (59 strikes) to cover seven frames, tying his longest outing of the campaign. He's had two seven-run clunkers this season but has given up three or fewer runs in each of his other seven starts, putting him at a decent 4.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB through 56.1 innings overall.

Canning completed 4.1 innings against the Cubs on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters in a no-decision.

Canning returned to a traditional starting role Monday after working behind an opener in each of his previous two starts. The veteran righty allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base, but he got through the first three frames without giving up any runs. Canning faded in the fourth, though, allowing a run on two hits and a HBP. He returned for the fifth and recorded just one out before being pulled with two runners on base, one of whom scored following his departure. Canning wasn't abysmal Monday, but he threw only 40 of 75 pitches for strikes and didn't exactly make an emphatic statement in his battle to retain a starting spot. With German Marquez (forearm) nearing activation, it isn't certain that Canning will take his next turn in the rotation.