MLB Player News

Houck came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander left the mound after 108 pitches (64 strikes) with a 4-2 lead, but the Boston bullpen cost Houck his ninth win of the season. Instead, he had to settle for his 17th quality start, tying him with Luis Castillo, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Zack Wheeler for fourth in the majors. While he's still giving the Red Sox some length in the rotation, Houck's overall performance had faded as the summer has worn on, and since the beginning of July he's posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and poor 22:21 K:BB through 39 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Houston.

Dunning came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning win over the Red Sox, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out three.

Making his first start since June 16, Dunning was able to give the Rangers a solid 76 pitches (48 strikes), but he ran out of gas in the sixth inning and got the hook after serving up a Wilyer Abreu solo shot and a Masataka Yoshida single to begin the frame. With Jose Urena struggling and Texas dealing with multiple injuries to starting pitchers, Dunning's performance might have been good enough to keep him in the rotation for at least one more turn, but his 4.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB through 82.1 innings innings don't inspire a lot of confidence from a fantasy perspective.

Anderson (9-11) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks over 5.2 innings while striking out eight.

The Blue Jays got to Anderson early and often Wednesday, tagging the veteran for runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings while the Angels' offense struggled to get anything going. The lefty gave up a season-high seven runs on the night while surrendering multiple home runs for the first time in his last five starts. Anderson's four walks in the contest were the most he's issued since June 25 against the Athletics (span of seven starts), and he's now allowed multiple free passes in two of his last three outings. On a positive note, Anderson has gone at least five innings in seven consecutive starts.

Berrios (11-9) picked up the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out five.

Berrios allowed just one hit over the first four innings before coughing up a solo homer to Matt Thaiss in the bottom of the fifth, though Toronto had already backed the right-hander with six runs in support by that point. Berrios has now hurled seven innings of one-run ball in each of his last two starts, posting a 13:2 K:BB over that stretch. He'a also recorded at least five strikeouts in five consecutive outings and has won three of his last four decisions (spanning four starts).

Montas did not factor into the decision in a win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing three unearned runs on five hits and three walks over five innings while striking out six.

Montas struggled early, allowing the first four batters to reach in the opening frame, though the leadoff man would only reach due to a fielding error by Joey Ortiz. The right-hander saw three unearned runs come across during the inning, but he held the Dodgers scoreless over the next four frames. In three starts since joining the Brewers, Montas has a 1-0 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 14 innings.

Buehler did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over 3.1 innings while striking out three.

Buehler got off to a horrendous start in his return to the rotation following a stint on the injured list, walking the first three batters he faced before then being tagged for a leadoff homer to open the bottom of the second. He would see two more runs come home in the second inning, though both were unearned on account of a fielding error by Nick Ahmed. The right-hander also walked the leadoff man to begin the third and had to be relieved by Anthony Banda with just one out in the frame. Buehler has now seen at least three runs come across in each of his last six starts (dating back to May 25 against the Reds), while his four walks Wednesday matched a season high. He's also lost his last three decisions.

Cabrera (2-4) took the loss against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

Cabrera was handed an early 3-0 lead but couldn't hold it. The big blow against him was a Kyle Schwarber grand slam in the fourth inning that turned a three-run lead into a one-run deficit. Cabrera had been pitching well coming into Wednesday, posting 12 scoreless innings over his previous two starts. However, walks have been an issue for him this season -- he's issued multiple free passes in 10 of his 13 starts and has handed out 35 walks across 59.1 frames overall. It's an issue that has plagued Cabrera throughout his career, as he has posted a BB/9 lower than 5.0 in just one of his four MLB campaigns.

Phillips allowed five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against Miami on Wednesday.

Phillips fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and gave up two more runs in the fourth. The right-handed rookie avoided a loss thanks to a productive Phillies offense, but he continued his string of recent struggles. After turning heads to begin his MLB career with a 1.80 ERA, three wins and a 19:2 K:BB over his first four outings, Phillips has since given up 17 runs with an 8:5 K:BB across 11 innings over his subsequent three starts. His time in the Phillies' rotation could be nearing an end, as Ranger Suarez (back) is expected to return during the team's Aug. 23-25 series in Kansas City.

Gibson (7-5) took the loss against Cincinnati on Wednesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings.

Gibson was particularly hurt by the long ball, as the Reds scored their first six runs by way of four homers, including two by Jonathan India. Prior to Wednesday, Gibson had been pretty good at keeping the ball in the park, posting a 1.0 HR/9 on the season and surrendering just two homers over his previous six starts. Gibson's problem with home runs Wednesday may thus prove to be just an aberration, and he'll look to bounce back in his next start, which tentatively lines up to be at home against Milwaukee.

Spiers pitched 2.2 innings in bulk relief Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

Spiers didn't actually enter the contest until the fourth inning, as Emilio Pagan was able to cover two scoreless frames as the opener and Sam Moll followed with a perfect inning. When Spiers came into the game, the Reds had already built a 4-0 lead, and they extended that to 7-0 through five frames. That may have given Spiers a bit too much comfort, as he allowed four straight hits resulting in a pair of runs to begin the sixth. The right-hander was at least able to bounce back by striking out the final two batters he faced before exiting the contest having thrown 60 total pitches. Spiers had worked as a traditional starter in his eight previous appearances prior to Wednesday, but it's unclear if he'll move back to that role his next time out or again work behind an opener.