MLB Player News

Wesneski (2-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Blue Jays after tossing six innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four. He also tossed a wild pitch.

Wesneski delivered a strong outing to strengthen his case for a spot in the rotation over the final two months of the regular season. With Spencer Arrighetti (foot) shipped to Toronto and Tatsuya Imai moving to the bullpen, all signs point to Wesneski remaining as a starter. Wesneski has made just two starts this season since returning from Tommy John surgery and the numbers are decent, as he's allowed five runs on 11 hits and four walks while striking out eight, tossing two wild pitches and hitting a batter. He has won both starts and owns a 3.86 ERA ahead of his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Giants.

Assad didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings.

Assad fared well opposite Tarik Skubal, and he ended just one out shy of recording what would've been his first quality start since mid-June. It remains to be seen if Assad will stay in the rotation following the deadline acquisitions of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, but as of now, he's lined up for Tuesday on the road against the Nationals. Assad owns a 3.58 ERA across 19 appearances (10 starts) and 75.1 innings with the Cubs in 2026. This is the third time in four seasons he has made at least 10 starts.

Skubal (7-6) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out six.

Skubal got into a groove early and struck out three of the first six batters he faced, but he gave up a solo shot to Dansby Swanson in the third inning and an RBI single to Nico Hoerner in the sixth before departing the contest. This was Skubal's fourth consecutive quality start, and despite the loss against one of the hottest teams in the National League, his performance was strong, as he tossed 51 of his 85 pitches for strikes in his first start for his new team. Skubal is expected to take the mound next week in a home series against the Royals.

Soroka (glute) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Soroka tossed 57 pitches (37 strikes) in the rehab outing, which was his first appearance since landing on the 15-day injured list June 20 due to a glute strain. He induced six swings and misses and averaged 92.7 mph with his four-seam fastball, down a full tick from his season-long average. The right-hander doesn't look far away from a return from the 15-day injured list, but the Diamondbacks may want him to get stretched out a little bit more in another rehab start before adding him back to the big-league rotation.

Rodriguez (10-4) allowed seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 5.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.

Rodriguez hadn't allowed more than five runs in a start all year, and he's given up four or more runs just five times in 23 outings. He was coming off eight scoreless innings versus the Pirates in his last start, which makes this performance quite the letdown. Overall, Rodriguez has done an excellent job this year with a 2.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 92:45 K:BB through 136.1 innings, with the bulk of his success being a product of limiting home runs, though that didn't help him Tuesday. He's projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup versus the Dodgers. He's held the Dodgers to four runs (three earned) over 17 innings across three previous matchups this season, adding a 13:4 K:BB in those games.

Vasquez (7-6) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Vasquez has allowed just three runs over 17 innings across five games since he returned from an ankle bruise. The right-hander appears to have at least temporarily won a spot in the Padres' rotation -- JP Sears was optioned Tuesday, while Griffin Canning and German Marquez both made relief appearances in this contest. The Padres revitalized their rotation by acquiring Casey Mize and Robbie Ray ahead of the trade deadline, but Vasquez should start until Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) complete their rehab assignments. Vasquez is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros if he remains in the rotation.

Melton (7-1) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four over seven shutout innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Melton posted a nearly identical line to his last start, coming up one strikeout short of matching what he did versus the Orioles last week. This was his third scoreless outing of the season, all of which have come since the start of July. Melton is at a superb 1.58 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 64:23 K:BB through 74 innings over 12 starts this season. The 7.8 K/9 is about the only downside to his performance so far, but Melton should get a chance to shine for the Tigers now that he's out of the shadows of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. Melton's next start is projected to be at San Francisco.

Hancock (6-6) allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Tigers.

Hancock ultimately wasn't traded away by the Mariners, ending speculation about his future with the team for now. The right-hander pitched at an acceptable level Tuesday, but he didn't get any run support, giving him his second loss in a row while extending his winless stretch to four outings. Hancock is now at a 3.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 108:29 K:BB through 116.1 innings over 21 starts. Luis Castillo is now with the White Sox, so Hancock and the rest of the Mariners' starters can settle into a more traditional rhythm as part of a five-man rotation. Hancock's next turn is projected to be at home versus the Rays over the weekend.

Hughes allowed five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Tuesday versus the Rays.

Hughes gave up all five runs in the third inning, highlighted by a Liam Hicks grand slam. This was Hughes' worst outing yet, though he was able to avoid a fourth consecutive loss with some help from the Rockies' offense. Hughes has pitched to a 4.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB through 29.2 innings over six games (five starts) in the majors. The rookie right-hander is projected to make his next start at Arizona.

Peralta allowed seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Tuesday.

Peralta's first outing for the Rays didn't go well, though this start came at Coors Field. The right-hander was acquired from the Mets on Sunday. Peralta has allowed at least five runs in four of his last eight outings, so there's a glaring consistency issue he'll need to work through with his new team. He's at a 5.37 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 116:49 K:BB through 117.1 innings over 23 starts this season. Peralta's next outing is expected to be in another hitter-friendly venue in Sacramento against the Athletics.