MLB Player News

Leiter appeared out of the bullpen in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners, taking a no-decision while striking out six batters and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over four innings.

After starting in each of his prior six appearances with the Rangers on the season, Leiter shifted to the bullpen Saturday while Max Scherzer (shoulder) made his return from the 15-day injured list. Since Scherzer wasn't fully stretched out after making just one rehab start prior to his activation, the Rangers ended up deploying him in tandem with Leiter, with both pitchers covering four innings and tossing 73 and 71 pitches, respectively. Scherzer and Jacob deGrom -- who returned from the IL on Friday -- should have longer leashes in their next outings this upcoming weekend versus Seattle, so Leiter may not be asked to piggyback either pitcher and may instead work in a more flexible relief role.

Jones didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Royals, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks across four innings. He struck out five.

Jones pitched into the seventh inning in back-to-back starts, but he got pulled after 92 pitches and four innings Sunday. While Jones didn't qualify for the win, it was another decent start for the 22-year-old rookie. He's allowed three or fewer runs in his last three starts, logging a 3.63 ERA and an 18:4 K:BB across 17.1 innings. Jones is tentatively scheduled to face the Reds at Great American Ballpark next weekend.

Singer (9-11) took the loss Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out six.

Singer's four walks marked a season high, and he failed to complete six innings for a third consecutive outing. The 27-year-old has a 5.40 ERA and a 1-5 record across his last eight starts (43.1 innings). Singer is tentatively scheduled to face the Giants in Kansas City next weekend.

Kelly is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.

The right-hander will take his next turn through the rotation on his normal four days' rest, despite exiting his previous start Wednesday against the Rangers after four-plus innings due to right hamstring cramping. Since returning from the injured list Aug. 11 following a prolonged absence due to a teres major strain of his shoulder, Kelly has gone 2-0 with a 5.85 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings over six starts.

Peterson didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Philadelphia, allowing one run on four hits and a walk across 7.2 innings. He struck out six.

Peterson and Cristopher Sanchez were locked into a pitchers' duel Sunday, but neither was credited with the victory. Peterson yielded five runs (four earned) in his previous start after yielding two or fewer earned runs in seven consecutive outings. Since the start of August, Peterson is 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA and a 46:17 K:BB across 56.2 innings.

Sanchez didn't factor into the decision Sunday against New York, allowing one run on six hits and a walk across seven-plus innings. He struck out seven.

Sanchez threw seven shutout innings before returning to the mound to start the eighth frame. He yielded a leadoff homer to Tyrone Taylor and a single to Harrison Bader to start the eighth before being removed. Sanchez has struck out seven or more batters in four of his last five starts and has generated a quality start in five of his last six outings. He's tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Mets next weekend.

Crawford (8-15) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Yankees. He struck out seven.

Crawford has now lost six consecutive starts, despite Sunday representing the first time within that span that he's allowed more than three runs or failed to toss at least five innings. The Yankees got to him for a single run in the second, then tallied three additional runs in the third thanks to homers by Gleyber Torres and Aaron Judge. Crawford has now been touched up for 33 home runs across 31 starts and 171.2 innings this season. He'll look to keep the ball in the yard during his next start, scheduled to take place at home against the Twins.

Rodon (15-9) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out five.

Rodon served up a third-inning homer to Tyler O'Neill, the fifth long ball he's allowed over the past four starts, but otherwise held the Red Sox in check to collect his 15th win. Rodon recorded one out following a leadoff double in the sixth but was subsequently pulled after 88 pitches, rendering him two outs shy of a quality start. It was the seventh time in his last 10 starts that Rodon has allowed two runs or fewer over five or more innings, and he has posted a 3.18 ERA across 56.2 innings with 74 strikeouts over that stretch. The veteran lefty is excelling as the Yankees are making their push toward the AL East pennant. Next up for the surging Rodon is a matchup in Oakland against the hapless A's.

Gore (9-12) picked up the win Sunday against Miami, allowing one unearned run on two hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out five.

A fielding error by Jacob Young allowed Jhonny Pereda to reach base in the third inning, and Pereda eventually came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Jake Burger. The Nationals' subpar defense has hampered Gore's fantasy production, with 11 unearned runs being scored across the left-hander's last seven starts. In 153.1 innings, Gore has a 4.17 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP with a 163:61 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled for a road start against the Cubs next weekend.

Festa did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over 3.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out four.

Festa held the Reds to just a walk and a hit-by-pitch through three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing three consecutive hits that led to two runs to start the inning, then loading the bases with a couple of walks that led to him being pulled prior to the end of the inning. It was the second consecutive start in which Festa walked three while failing to make it into the fifth inning. Through 55 innings spanning 12 appearances (11 starts), Festa holds a 5.07 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with an impressive 66 strikeouts. His next turn is set to take place when the Twins travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox.