MLB Player News

Blackburn (5-3) took the loss Tuesday, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks over four innings as the Mets fell 9-4 to the A's. He struck out four.

After two quality starts in his first two outings for the Mets following a trade from Oakland, Blackburn ran into trouble against his former squad, with the big blow against him being a three-run homer in the third inning by former batterymate Shea Langeliers. Blackburn exited after 82 pitches (48 strikes), and Tuesday's stumble has left him with a 4.43 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 54:20 K:BB through 67 innings on the season. The veteran righty will look to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Marlins.

The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Varland will draw the start Wednesday against the Royals. The right-hander started strong but faded late in an outing versus the Guardians this past weekend, ultimately finishing with three earned runs allowed over 4.2 innings. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) sidelined, Varland will have a shot to hold down the No. 5 spot in the rotation for the Twins, with rookie Zebby Matthews also in the mix for that spot.

Boyle came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Mets, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over four-plus innings. He struck out six.

Making his first MLB appearance since May 5, Boyle had his usual trouble finding the plate consistently, tossing 54 of 85 pitches for strikes while also hitting a batter and uncorking a wild pitch, but he also generated 29 called or swinging strikes. The 25-year-old right-hander figures to remain in the Oakland rotation the rest of the way in 2024, but he has a long way to go to be of interest in most fantasy formats given his 7.39 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 17.1 percent walk rate through his first 31.2 big-league innings. Boyle lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rays.

Morton did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Giants, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.

The Giants scratched across a run against Morton in the second and Tyler Fitzgerald took him yard in the third for the only major damage against him. Morton racked up eight strikeouts, which tied his season-best mark. His final strikeout of the evening, which came against Mike Yastrzemski in the sixth, was the 2,000th strikeout of his career. Morton has been alternating good and bad starts over his last four outings. He's allowed 13 runs, seven homers and struck out just five batters combined over the two bad starts, while allowing two runs and striking out 14 batters combined over his two good starts. It's been a struggle for the 40-year-old to find consistency over a longer stretch this season, and he now owns a 4.40 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 120:44 K:BB in 120.2 innings. He lines up to complete a two-start week against the Angels on Sunday.

Harrison did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings.

Harrison surrendered two runs in the second, with one coming on a solo home run from Ramon Laureano. Travis d'Arnaud would then get a hold of one in the third for another solo blast to put Atlanta up 3-1. Harrison worked through another two scoreless frames before his night was over after 89 pitches. Since returning from injury July 6, Harrison has made it to six innings just once in seven starts and has given up six home runs over his last three outings. For the year, the 23-year-old lefty owns a 4.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 103:36 K:BB in 111 innings and lines up for a favorable matchup against the White Sox to begin next week.

Lopez (forearm) allowed three runs while striking out four over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Lopez threw 71 pitches in the outing and averaged 94.5 mph with his four-seamer, down a tick from his season average. It should be the only rehab start Lopez needs, with the righty likely to return to the Atlanta rotation either Sunday on the road against the Angels or Tuesday at home versus the Phillies. Lopez has been out since late July with right forearm inflammation.

King (10-6) got the win over the Pirates on Tuesday after allowing seven hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out 10 without issuing a walk.

King posted his fourth outing of the season with at least 10 strikeouts and his fourth of at least six innings with zero earned runs allowed. He struck out the side in the second and fourth innings and allowed the Pirates to put runners into scoring position only twice. Since May 1, King is second in the majors among all starting pitchers with a 3.6 fWAR and has a 1.91 ERA over his last seven starts. He has just two starts since May 4 with fewer than five strikeouts and has been a massive addition to the San Diego rotation after coming over in the Juan Soto trade. For the year, King owns a 3.19 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 161:47 K:BB in 135.1 innings. He lines up to face the Twins at home to begin next week.

Spiers is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Emilio Pagan in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Spiers had started in each of his last eight appearances, but he'll shift to the bullpen for at least one turn through the rotation after he was lit up for eight earned runs over five innings in a loss to the Brewers his last time out Friday. Pagan isn't expected to work more than an inning before turning the game over to Spiers.

Gomber did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings.

Both runs against Gomber came in the third inning when he gave up a pair of singles and a double sandwiched around two groundouts. Gomber had given up a home run in each of his last seven starts but was able to keep the ball in the park Tuesday night and notched just his second quality start over his last six outings. The 30-year-old lefty now owns a 4.82 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 89:30 K:BB in 125 innings and lines up to face the Nationals on the road next week.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Rockies, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings.

Rodriguez got through the first inning on just seven pitches but couldn't replicate the same success in the next two frames. The Rockies would string together all six of their hits against Rodriguez in the second and third, leading to three runs. The left-hander was able to settle back in and retire the last seven batters he faced before his day was done after throwing 83 pitches. He's now given up three runs in both starts since returning from a long-term absence due to a shoulder injury, though Tuesday he was able to keep the ball in the park and upped his strikeouts numbers while generating 11 whiffs. He's at a 5.06 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB in 10.2 innings and lines up to face the Marlins in a start next week.