MLB Player News

Rocker took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four, during Friday's 3-2 loss the Padres.

Rocker struggled in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, but he has been much better in the four starts since. The 25-year-old hurler has allowed just six runs in his last 21.2 innings while striking out 20 batters. It's the most consistent stretch of pitching the right-hander has displayed at the MLB level, and he's looking more and more like the pitcher the Rangers drafted him to be in the first round back in 2022. Rocker is scheduled to make his next start on the road at the Angels next week.

Woo (8-4) earned the win Friday against the Pirates, giving up no runs on three hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

Woo continued to rack up punchouts Friday, retiring at least eight by way of strikeout for his third start in a row. The 25-year-old right-hander has remarkably tossed at least six innings in each of his first 17 outings of the season, and three of his last four appearances have come without an earned run on his ledger. Woo holds a superb 2.77 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 104:19 K:BB across 107.1 innings, and he's next set for a tough test against the Yankees in the Bronx.

Falter (6-4) took the loss Friday against the Mariners, giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

After working just 1.2 innings in a rain-shortened appearance in his last start, Falter managed his longest outing Friday since his May 31 start. The four strikeouts matched the southpaw's most in his last eight appearances, and he avoided issuing a free pass for the first time since May 20. Falter will take a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 56:32 K:BB across 92.2 frames on the road his next time out against the Royals, who are batting just .228 versus left-handed pitching since and including June 10.

Paddack didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rays, giving up two runs on five hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out five.

The five punchouts were Paddack's most since he fanned 10 during his June 1 start. The right-hander hasn't thrown greater than five innings in any of his last five starts, but he's walked just two batters during that span. Paddack owns a lackluster 4.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 68:24 K:BB over 95 innings this year, and he shapes up as a fairly risky fantasy option his next time out in a difficult assignment at home versus the first-place Cubs.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins, giving up one run on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Littell fanned five while allowing a lone run in his third consecutive start, tossing six strong innings Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander had previously gone four straight outings without walking a batter, but he's now issued two free passes in each of his last two appearances. Littell is now up to 12 quality starts in 2025, and he'll carry a steady 3.50 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 76:15 K:BB across 110.2 frames into a tough spot on the road against the first-place Tigers.

Stroman didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Mets, giving up three runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.

Although Stroman allowed a season-high seven hits, he was able to stretch out to 81 pitches in his second start off the injured list. Additionally, the veteran right-hander set a season high in strikeouts while producing nine whiffs. The Yankees will likely need him to stay in their rotation going forward due to Clarke Schmidt (forearm) going on the injured list Friday. Stroman will look to improve upon a 7.45 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 12:10 K:BB over 19.1 frames his next time out at home versus the Mariners, who are averaging 5.2 runs per game over their last 21 contests.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander owns a 10.50 ERA through 12 innings in the majors this season, though he's given up just two runs in six frames since joining the Astros organization. He'll come up from the minors to provide length out of the bullpen and replace Jordan Weems, who was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Manoah (elbow) could begin a minor-league rehab stint after throwing one more live bullpen session, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Manoah began facing live hitters in early June and tossed two simulated innings July 1. He appears close to kicking off a rehab assignment in the minors, which will presumably span several weeks since the right-hander hasn't yet seen game action this season. Early August seems like the most likely timeframe for Manoah to be activated from the 60-day IL.

Mikolas (4-6) took the loss against the Cubs on Friday, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and no walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Mikolas surrendered a staggering six home runs over the first three innings but did manage to complete six frames. The 36-year-old has now allowed at least one long ball in six consecutive outings, a stretch that includes two quality starts but also three in which he's given up six or more earned runs. He'll take a 5.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB across 87.1 innings into a home matchup with the Nationals next week.

Rea (6-3) earned the win against the Cardinals on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over 6.2 innings.

Rea surrendered just one hit, a solo home run in the fourth inning, despite generating only six swinging strikes on 97 pitches. The 35-year-old notched his fourth quality start of the season and second in his last four outings, though that stretch also includes a seven-run blowup against Seattle on June 22. He'll carry a 4.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB across 85 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next week.