MLB Player News

Wacha came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out one.

The veteran righty was actually in line for a 1-0 loss until the Royals pushed across the tying run in the top of the eighth inning. Wacha produced his ninth quality start of the season on 78 pitches (51 strikes), but he's struggled to provide much consistency since the beginning of June, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB over his last 43.1 innings, which has resulted in a 1-5 record. He'll try to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Guardians.

Holmes (8-5) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings as the Mets fell 5-2 to the Reds. He struck out three.

The right-hander got staked to an early 2-0 lead, but Holmes couldn't make it hold up as he had trouble putting away hitters when he needed to. The converted reliever may be wearing down -- Holmes has been tagged for five runs in two of his last three starts and hasn't struck out more than five batters in any of his last seven, stumbling to a 4.59 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:20 K:BB through 35.1 innings over the latter stretch. Holmes will try to right the ship in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in San Francisco.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 loss to the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over five innings.

Kikuchi allowed runs in the first and fifth innings before departing at 91 pitches. The southpaw allowed just three hard-hit balls and generated a whopping 19 whiffs, including 10 on his fastball, but he's now failed to deliver a quality start in any of his four July outings. He'll take a 3.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 123:52 K:BB across 118 innings into a home matchup with the Mariners next week.

Martinez (8-9) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Mets, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed 60 of 90 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth win in his last five starts. Unfortunately for his ERA, the fifth outing was a 10-run disaster against the Marlins on July 8. Martinez will carry a 4.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 81:27 K:BB through 116 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Rays.

Lauer (5-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 6-3 victory over the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits over six innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The southpaw continues to impress at the back of the Blue Jays' rotation. Lauer produced his second quality start of the season on 81 pitches (58 strikes), and he's given up more than two runs in only two of 15 appearances. He'll take a 2.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB through 61 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Detroit.

Webb (9-7) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on 11 hits and a walk over six innings as the Giants were downed 6-3 by the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

The right-hander wasn't hit especially hard, but the damage added up from three doubles and eight singles. It's only Webb's second loss in nine starts since the beginning of June, a stretch in which he's delivered a 3.39 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 56:12 K:BB over 58.1 innings. He'll look for a better result in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Mets.

Fitts is scheduled to start Tuesday's road game in Philadelphia, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

After Hunter Dobbins (knee) was ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL, Fitts was called up from Triple-A Worchester on July 12 to fill his spot on the active roster. Fitts went unused out of the bullpen in Boston's final two games before the All-Star break, but he'll assume Dobbins' spot in the rotation to begin the second half. The right-hander could end up being in line for an extended stay in the rotation, as Tanner Houck (elbow) suffered a setback during his rehab assignment and now seemingly isn't a candidate to return from the injured list anytime soon.

Schultz isn't starting as scheduled for Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday due to right knee discomfort, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Schultz had been slated to start Saturday night, but he isn't going to be able to take the mound due to the knee issue. The lefty prospect was promoted to Charlotte on June 14 and has started three games for the affiliate, struggling to an 11.91 ERA, 2.34 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB over 11.1 innings. It's not yet clear how much time Schultz will need to miss.

The Red Sox returned Houck (elbow) from his rehab assignment Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Although Houck's 30-day rehab window is now closed, the fact that Boston has yet to activate him indicates he isn't quite ready to return. The 29-year-old righty posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 15.2 innings during his five-start assignment, though he gave up only one run in his final two outings (9.1 IP). He also owns a hefty 8.04 ERA through 43.2 frames in the majors this year, so there's no guarantee he'll have a place in the Sox's rotation whenever he is activated.

The Athletics activated Waldichuk (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery last May and had spent all season on the injured list up to this point. He kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment in late June and tallied a 7.63 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB over 15.1 innings spanning six appearances between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The lefty threw 141 frames for the Athletics in 2023 and could certainly make his way back to the big club in due time, but he'll likely first need to harness his control issues in the minors before getting a look in the MLB rotation.