MLB Player News

Lodolo (9-5) took the loss against Kansas City on Saturday, allowing eight runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 2.1 innings.

Lodolo gave up one run in the first frame and two in the second to fall behind early. Things got much worse for him in the third inning, when he allowed the first four batters to reach base and was lifted with one out and the bases loaded having already given up two more runs. All three of the runners he left aboard subsequently came around to score on a Dairon Blanco grand slam. This was the second time in his past four starts that Lodolo has been charged with eight runs in an outing, and his ERA has jumped from 3.33 at the All-Star break to its current mark of 4.55.

Wacha (10-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out nine batters over six scoreless innings.

The Royals built a 10-run lead through three frames, so Wacha didn't face much pressure in the contest. Still, he didn't let down his guard, yielding just four hits -- all of which were singles -- while tossing six scoreless frames for his fourth consecutive quality start. Wacha's nine punchouts were a season high, and he reached the double-digit win mark for the fifth time in his 12-year career.

The Orioles will option Povich to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich was brought up to the big-league club to start Saturday's game against the Red Sox and give the other members of the Orioles' rotation an additional day of rest. The 24-year-old was dealt the loss but pitched well, completed 6.1 innings and striking out six batters while allowing two runs on six hits and no walks. He'll head back to Norfolk for the time being but should be first in line to join the rotation if a spot opens up at some point down the road. After Saturday's loss, Povich has a 1-6 record to go along with a 5.77 ERA and 31:23 K:BB across 43.2 innings in the big leagues.

Bassitt (9-12) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Bassitt surrendered a leadoff homer to Ian Happ in the first inning and then yielded two more runs in the fifth. He battled through two rain delays but failed to record a win or quality start for the fifth time in six chances since the All-Star break. On the year, the veteran owns a 4.34 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 134:54 K:BB across 139 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Angels next week.

Birdsong (3-3) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Athletics on Saturday.

Compared to his previous two outings, this was a fairly good performance. Birdsong avoided giving up a home run, but the Giants didn't give him any run support, leaving the rookie with a third straight loss. He's now at a 5.01 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 49:22 K:BB through 41.1 innings over nine starts this season. Birdsong looks to be the Giants' top option for a fifth starter, and he's tentatively projected to make his next start at Seattle.

Steele did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, walking one and striking out three across two scoreless innings.

Steele was pulled with a 1-0 lead after the game was delayed twice due to rain. He entered Saturday having logged two consecutive quality starts and looked strong in his only two innings of work, throwing 23 of 36 pitches for strikes and generating five whiffs. On the season, the southpaw owns a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 115:32 K:BB across 116 innings and lines up for a favorable matchup with the Marlins next week.

Flexen (2-12) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out one over four innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Astros.

Flexen was decent over the first two innings, but a three-run third took this start off the rails. It was his 18th start in a row without a win, and it's the third straight outing in which he's failed to complete five innings. The 30-year-old right-hander is now at a 5.46 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 85:51 K:BB through 122 innings over 26 appearances (24 starts). Flexen's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Tigers.

Falter (6-7) earned the win against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks with eight strikeouts across 5.2 innings.

Falter was fantastic Saturday, generating 16 swinging strikes and eclipsing 90 pitches for the second consecutive outing. The southpaw has gone 2-0 while yielding seven earned runs over 17 innings since returning from the injured list July 30. On the year, he owns a 4.02 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 75:31 K:BB across 107.1 innings and lines up to face the Reds at home next week.

Brown (11-7) allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the White Sox.

This was Brown's longest start since June 14, and he threw 69 of 102 pitches for strikes to take advantage of a soft matchup. The lone blemish came on a first-inning RBI single by Gavin Sheets. Brown continues to walk a lot of batters -- he's issued 21 free passes over 60 innings across his last 10 starts, but he's added 63 strikeouts in that span. Overall, he has a 3.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 145:50 K:BB through 134.1 innings over 25 appearances (24 starts) this season. Brown is projected for a tougher road start in Baltimore next week.

Castillo (10-12) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Castillo allowed four runs, including two homers, while generating 11 swinging strikes on 103 pitches. He broke a streak of seven consecutive quality starts and surrendered multiple home runs for the first time since June 20. On the season, the 31-year-old owns a 3.51 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 154:43 K:BB across 153.2 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Giants next week.