MLB Player News

Sears (10-9) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk over 3.2 innings in an 11-3 loss to the Brewers. He struck out three.

The southpaw saw his four-game quality start streak end with a resounding thud, as Rhys Hoskins and Joey Ortiz took him deep in a five-run second inning for Milwaukee. Sears has given up three runs or fewer in eight of his last 11 starts, but he's been hammered for at least seven runs in each of the other three -- volatility that has left him with a 4.50 ERA in 62 innings over that stretch despite a 1.18 WHIP and 58:10 K:BB. Sears will try to shake it off in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Civale came away with a no-decision in Friday's 11-3 win over the A's, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The Brewers struck for five runs in the second inning and never looked back, but Civale couldn't stick around long enough to pick up the easy win, tossing 50 of 82 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. The right-hander has completed at least five innings in only three of six starts since the All-Star break, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and mediocre 22:12 K:BB through 30 innings over that stretch, but Milwaukee doesn't have any better healthy options for his rotation spot. Civale will try to provide more length in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Giants.

Festa (2-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Twins fell 6-1 to the Cardinals. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander tossed an inefficient 75 pitches (45 strikes) as he saw another early exit. The Twins are being cautious with Festa and the 24-year-old has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his first eight big-league appearances (seven starts), but that babying hasn't led to impressive numbers. Through 36.1 innings, he's served up seven homers and been saddled with a 5.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, despite a 44:11 K:BB that highlights his potential. Festa will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Pallante (6-6) picked up the win in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Twins, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

It looked like it might be a short night for Pallante when four of the first five Minnesota batters reached base in the second inning, but the right-hander put out the fire and then didn't let another runner get into scoring position, retiring the last 13 batters he faced. Pallante has a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB through 35.1 innings since the All-Star break, but with Lance Lynn (knee) closing in on a return from the IL, his time in the rotation could be drawing to a close. If he gets another turn, Pallante lines up to face the Padres at home next week.

Wacha (11-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits over six innings in a 7-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander was sharp once again, tossing 64 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his fifth straight quality start and 13th of the season -- his highest total since 2017. Wacha also hasn't been stuck with a loss since June 22, winning seven straight decisions with a 2.40 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB over 60 innings since then. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cleveland.

Walker (3-5) took the loss Friday as the Phillies fell 7-4 to the Royals, coughing up six runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out two.

Two-run homers by Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe in the third inning accounted for most of the damage off Walker, who failed to complete five innings for the third straight start since coming off the IL. The veteran righty has served up five long balls in 11.2 innings during his swoon, and on the season he's been taken deep 17 times in only 64.2 frames, leading to a bloated 6.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. The Phillies' lead in the NL East has slipped to five games over Atlanta, but for now Walker will be given a chance to work through his issues. He lines up to make his next start at home next week against the Astros.

Bibee (10-6) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against Texas.

All the damage against Bibee came during a disastrous four-run second inning. Outside of that frame, he let just one Ranger reach scoring position. He's failed to complete six innings in three straight starts and five of his last six outings. However, he's 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA over that stretch. Bibee now owns a 3.46 ERA with a 150:33 K:BB through 138 innings. His next outing is projected to be at home against the Royals.

Eovaldi (9-7) yielded three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Guardians.

Eovaldi coughed up a run in each of the second, third and fourth innings but came out on top due to the Rangers' four-run second frame. He snapped his three-start losing streak and picked up his first win since July 29. Through 16 starts, he owned an impressive 2.97 ERA over 94 innings. In seven outings since, he's produced a 5.77 ERA despite a strong 36:4 K:BB over 39 frames. Eovaldi will carry a 3.79 ERA into his next matchup, which is projected to be on the road against the White Sox.

Birdsong allowed one hit and four walks while striking out five over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Birdsong was again decent at limiting runs, but he's issued seven walks over his last 8.2 innings. He threw just 39 of his 80 pitches for strikes in Friday's start, which contributed to him missing the five-inning mark for the fourth outing in a row. The rookie right-hander is now at a 4.57 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB through 45.1 innings over 10 big-league starts. Birdsong will have trouble against tougher opponents if he can't get his walk rate in check, though he's had only one truly awful outing so far. He'll have a tough task ahead with his next projected start coming in Milwaukee.

Castillo allowed five runs on six hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over six innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Friday.

Castillo was in line for the loss until the Mariners rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning. He gave up a season-high three homers Friday, and the five runs against also matched his season high. He had allowed multiple homers just four times over his first 25 starts this year, but has now done so in back-to-back outings. Castillo is at a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 163:43 K:BB through 159.2 innings over 27 outings this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Rays next week.