MLB Player News

Perez (1-5) allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Perez gave up two runs in the first inning, and his start was punctuated by a Rhys Hoskins solo home run in the fifth. Consistency has been an issue for Perez since he returned from a groin injury -- he's given up 12 runs over 16 innings since his return, though he's allowed just two homers over three starts in that span. The veteran southpaw is at a 5.15 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 57:25 K:BB through 73.1 innings over 14 starts this season.

Valdez (8-5) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings to earn the win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

This is the seventh time this season Valdez has gone at least seven innings, and he's allowed more than one run in just one of those outings. The southpaw has earned quality starts in four of his last five games, allowing 13 runs (10 earned) over 30.2 innings in that span. For the season, he's at a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 82:32 K:BB across 98.1 innings through 16 starts. He's been giving up a lot of hits this season, but he's done a decent job at damage control and could have a strong second half if he can keep traffic off the bases.

Graceffo dropped to 0-1 in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss to the Royals in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.

Graceffo tossed 4.1 frames and gave up just one run in his major-league debut June 29, but he worked in long relief in that outing. The right-hander wasn't as effective Wednesday in his first big-league start, though he yielded just one run on two hits through three innings. Kansas City notched back-to-back hits against Graceffo to begin the fourth, however, and he was pulled after a sacrifice fly yielded the Royals' second run. Another tally was charged to his ledger after his departure, and the Cardinals were never able to take the rookie off the hook for the loss. Graceffo served as the team's 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll likely be headed back to Triple-A Memphis in short order.

Wacha (6-6) earned the win over the Cardinals in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings.

It wasn't a smooth outing for Wacha, as he tossed only one 1-2-3 inning and needed 84 pitches to get through five frames. Kansas City's offense gave him ample support, but the right-hander nearly lost his chance at a victory when he gave up two runs in the bottom of the fifth to allow St. Louis to close the gap to 5-4. The three earned runs were the most Wacha has allowed since May 4 -- over his previous eight starts, he had posted a 2.31 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 frames. Wacha's overall 3.83 ERA puts him on pace to log a third straight season with a sub-4.00 earned run average.

Montas (4-7) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings to take the loss versus the Rockies on Wednesday.

Montas gave up a pair of home runs to Sam Hilliard, accounting for three of the five runs on his line. The five runs allowed matched a season high for Montas, who had not given up that many since May 12, while his seven innings also equaled his season high. The right-hander is now at a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 69:35 K:BB through 84.1 innings across 17 starts.

Marsh (7-6) earned the win over St. Louis in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters.

Marsh gave up two homers but only one additional hit. The right-hander was atypically prolific in the swing-and-miss department, racking up 16 whiffs and tying his season high with eight punchouts. Marsh notched his second quality start over his past three outings, though his other appearance during that span was a poor one during which he allowed five earned runs across three frames. He's been very up-and-down during the campaign, giving up one or zero runs in six of 17 starts but five-plus runs on four occasions. That's led to a mediocre 4.57 overall ERA.

Freeland (1-3) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out nine over 6.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Reds.

Freeland has looked much stronger since returning from a left elbow strain that sidelined him for over two months. He's logged four straight quality starts, and Wednesday saw him dial up a season-high nine strikeouts. His rough start to the year is still having a significant impact on his season-long numbers -- 6.00 ERA and 1.62 WHIP -- but he's posted a 30:13 K:BB through 42 innings over eight starts. With his first win of the year finally secured, Freeland has some momentum heading into the second half.

Imanaga (8-2) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Orioles. He allowed six hits and a walk, while striking out six.

Imanaga finished the first half of the season in style, as he allowed zero runs in a start for the seventh time already this year. The lefty got off to a blazing start in his MLB debut, posting a 0.84 ERA across his first nine outings, before enduring a few lumps since then. However, he has a solid 3.00 ERA over his last three starts and 2.97 ERA overall, giving him some momentum heading into his All-Star appearance next week. Imanaga is tentatively set to take the mound again for the Cubs on July 20 against the Diamondbacks.

Olson (4-8) earned the win against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts over six innings.

Olson allowed two runs in the third inning and a solo homer in the fourth but rebounded with two scoreless frames before departing at 95 pitches. The righty has now logged quality starts in four of his past five outings and registered consecutive victories for the first time this season. He will take a 3.30 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 92:29 K:BB into the All-Star break.

Bibee (7-4) took the loss against the Tigers on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Bibee allowed two runs in the first inning and surrendered a two-run homer in the third before rebounding with four scoreless frames. The 25 year-old's velocity was over more than one mph below his season average, and he has yielded four earned runs in back-to-back outings to open July. He will take a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 123:27 K:BB into the All-Star break.