MLB Player News

Assad secured the save against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.

After the Cubs built a 9-5 lead in the sixth inning, Assad closed it out for Chicago on Wednesday to help give other members of the bullpen a respite. The right-hander has a quality 3.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB with two saves in as many chances over 80.1 innings this season (10 starts), and he should remain a swingman as opposed to a consistent high-leverage option.

Miller took a no-decision against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Staked to an early 3-0 lead, Miller wasn't able to keep the Yankees in check Wednesday while surrendered a staggering six extra-base hits. The right-hander has struggled mightily over his past six starts, during which he has a 6.12 ERA and 1.52 WHIP covering 32.1 innings. Despite that rough patch, Miller is still maintaining an impressive 3.39 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 84:16 K:BB across 85 innings for the year ahead of his next scheduled appearance in Milwaukee.

Rasmussen (12-5) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the A's, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three.

A two-run third inning by the home side put the only blemish on Rasmussen's line and snapped his scoreless streak at 22.2 innings, and the right-hander left the mound after 84 pitches (57 strikes) with his team comfortably ahead. Rasmussen has reeled off five straight wins since the All-Star break, posting a 1.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB over 30 innings during that stretch. He'll look to stay locked in for his next outing, which is set to come at home early next week against the Blue Jays.

Valdez (7-8) took the loss versus the Guardians Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and five walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Valdez struggled to find the zone consistently Wednesday, with 64 of his 102 pitches going for strikes. The five walks were also the most given up by Valdez since April 24, and the uneven outing came after back-to-back seven inning quality starts. The 32-year-old is slated to face the Pirates in his next start early next week.

Leahy (9-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over five innings in a 7-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander tossed 57 of 81 pitches for strikes as he outlasted opposing starter Zack Wheeler, who fell apart in the fifth inning. Leahy has given up two runs or fewer in an impressive nine straight starts, going 4-0 over that stretch while delivering a 1.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB over 47.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Cincinnati.

Griffin (13-4) got the win against Detroit Wednesday, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts in five innings.

After giving up 11 runs in his previous 9.1 innings, Griffin righted the ship Wednesday by getting through five innings with limited damage. Griffin is now 1-1 in two starts with the Guardians since getting dealt by the Nationals at the trade deadline. The rookie now sports a 3.25 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP through 138.1 innings and lines up for a start against the Giants next week.

Castillo (4-9) allowed one hit and two walks while striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Castillo stumbled with five runs allowed over four innings against the Red Sox in his White Sox debut, but he took advantage of a more favorable matchup in his second start with his new team. The 10 strikeouts were easily a season high for the veteran right-hander. His two longest starts of the year have come against the Reds -- he also tossed seven innings against them in his penultimate start as a Mariner. For the year, Castillo is sporting a 4.96 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 101:35 K:BB through 110.2 innings over 22 games (19 starts). He's lined up to make his next start on the north side of Chicago against the Cubs next week.

Wheeler (10-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Phillies fell 7-1 to the Cardinals, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

Things unraveled for Wheeler in the fifth, as St. Louis rattled off four straight two-out hits to break open a 1-1 tie, including back-to-back RBI doubles by Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. The veteran righty exited after 84 pitches (53 strikes) as he lost his third straight decision since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 6.05 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings and five starts. Wheeler will look to get back on track in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Marlins.

Lowder (4-8) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Lowder has allowed eight runs over 22.1 innings across his last four starts, but he has just one win in that span. The 24-year-old threw 59 of 94 pitches for strikes Wednesday and has had mixed results throughout the year, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB through 94.1 innings over 21 games (18 starts). His recent work has been mostly effective -- he's given up more than two runs just once in eight appearances since the beginning of July. Lowder's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Cardinals.

Matthews (6-8) picked up the win in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Orioles, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander wasn't particularly sharp, tossing 60 of 94 pitches for strikes, but Matthews got enough offensive support to land in the win column. He also served up another homer, a three-run shot in the third inning by Dylan Beavers, and over seven starts since the beginning of July, Matthews has been taken deep seven times in 34.2 innings to help fuel a 7.27 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. With Joe Ryan (lower body) still lacking a target date for his return, Matthews will remain in the rotation for now, and he's set to make his next start at home early next week against Atlanta.