MLB Player News

Flexen (2-11) allowed eight runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks over 1.2 innings Sunday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Twins.

Flexen gave up a pair of runs in the first inning before the Twins broke out with a six-run second. He failed to complete at least three innings for the first time since June 14. In 16 starts since his last win May 8, Flexen has gone 0-8 with a 6.09 ERA. His season ERA is up to 5.53 with an 83:46 K:BB through 114 innings. His next outing is projected to be at home against the Cubs.

Wheeler (11-5) got the win Sunday against the Mariners, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out nine over eight scoreless innings.

Wheeler was engaged in a pitcher's duel with Logan Gilbert for the first six innings before the Phillies eventually opened up the game with five runs in the eighth. Sunday was Wheeler's sixth scoreless outing of the year, as he only allowed a first inning double by Cal Raleigh and a base hit from Victor Robles in the third. He went on to finish the day by retiring the final 15 hitters he faced. Wheeler managed to not issue multiple walks for the first time since June 22 and his nine strikeouts were his most since he had nine against the Giants on May 28. The 34-year-old further strengthened his NL Cy Young case and now owns a 2.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 148:41 K:BB in 136.2 innings. He lines up to face the Diamondbacks on the road in his next start.

Gilbert (6-8) took the loss Sunday against the Phillies, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven over six innings.

Gilbert surrendered a leadoff home run to Kyle Schwarber and went on to cruise from there. He struck out the next three batters in the opening frame and would retire nine of the next 10 hitters he faced through the third inning. Despite another impressive effort from Gilbert, he lost the pitcher's duel to Zack Wheeler, who blanked the Mariners through eight innings, leaving Gilbert with his third consecutive loss. Still, Gilbert posted his 18th quality start of the year, which puts him in a tie with Corbin Burnes for the most in baseball. Gilbert owns a 3.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 143:26 K:BB in 147.2 innings and will look to change his fortunes in a meeting with the Mets over the weekend.

The Rockies outrighted Blach to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday after he cleared waivers.

Blach had the option of electing free agency, but he'll instead stick around in the Colorado organization, with whom he's spent the past two-plus seasons. Before being cast off the Rockies' 40-man roster July 27, Blach made 18 appearances (10 starts) for the big club, posting a 6.36 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 63.2 innings.

Mikolas (8-9) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings.

Mikolas kept the Cubs off the board through three innings but would go on to allow two runs in the fourth and was charged with an additional two in the fifth after failing to get an out in the frame. Mikolas has now allowed at least seven hits in five of his last seven starts and Sunday tied his shortest outing of the season. The 35-year-old owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 86:22 K:BB in 128.1 innings. He lines up for another start against the Royals on the road this weekend.

Triple-A Salt Lake placed Silseth (elbow) on its 7-day injured list Wednesday.

After being reinstated from the Angels' 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A on June 25 following a prolonged absence due to right elbow inflammation, Silseth turned in a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB over 16 innings across four outings with Salt Lake before succumbing to another setback with the elbow. The Angels had labeled Silseth's injury as discomfort coming out of his most recent start for Salt Lake on July 28, but a formal diagnosis for his injury hasn't been provided. In any case, Silseth doesn't look like he'll be back pitching for Salt Lake anytime soon, which will hurt his chances of building a case for a return to the big leagues.

Steele (3-5) got the win over the Cardinals on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings.

Steele and the Cubs went down 2-0 in the third after Masyn Winn opened up the scoring with a two-run blast to left. That was the only damage Steele would permit, and he was dominant otherwise, retiring 12 straight batters between the third and seventh innings. Steele has now given up a home run in back-to-back outings, but Sunday was his first start surpassing six innings since July 11. The 28-year-old lefty owns a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 104:29 K:BB in 108 innings and lines up for a matchup against the reeling White Sox his next time on the mound.

Waldron (7-9) got the win over the Rockies on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings.

The lone run that came against Waldron was a solo home run by Brenton Doyle in the fourth. His two hits allowed tied a season best and his seven strikeouts were the most he's had since he punched out eight June 24. Waldron led with his knuckleball, throwing it just under 44 percent of the time and getting five whiffs on the pitch. He was pulled at just 80 pitches, but providing length has certainly been a strength of Waldron's for much of the season. He now owns a 3.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 116:36 K:BB in 128.1 innings and lines up to face the Marlins on the road over the weekend.

Quantrill (7-8) took the loss Sunday against the Padres, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings.

The Padres worked a run off of Quantrill in the second after they led off the inning with a single and a double that scored Xander Bogaerts from first. Quantrill would later surrender two more runs in the fifth, both off of solo homers from Kyle Higashioka and Jurickson Profar. Quantrill has now failed to go at least five innings in consecutive starts and in three of his last five. He only has one win since June 11 and has been exhibiting some control issues of late, walking multiple batters in five of his last six outings. Quantrill now owns a 4.56 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 92:48 K:BB in 122.1 innings and lines up to face Atlanta in his next start over the weekend.

Skenes didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

While Skenes' stat line was by no means poor, it was rather lackluster in comparison to what we've come to expect from the rookie. His streak of eight consecutive quality starts came to an end Sunday, and he was pulled after allowing three of the first four batters in the sixth inning to reach safely. Skenes also tied a season high in walks and logged his fewest strikeouts since May 23. Still, the 22-year-old owns a 1.99 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 86.0 innings.