MLB Player News

Valdez (7-5) earned the win over Toronto on Thursday, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings.

It looked like Valdez could be in for a rough outing when five of the first six batters he faced got a hit, resulting in three runs. However, the left-hander got out of that frame without incurring additional damage, and he went on to complete six frames without surrendering any more runs. Eight of the nine hits Valdez allowed overall were singles, which was key in limiting damage, as Toronto hit into four double plays against him. This was far from Valdez's sharpest outing, but he was nonetheless able to log his seventh victory and ninth quality start of the campaign.

Lively (8-4) picked up the win Thursday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Lively nabbed his second consecutive quality start -- his fifth of 2024 -- and generated his most punchouts since May 20. The 32-year-old was tagged by Paul DeJong for a two-run homer in the sixth inning but was otherwise excellent. Through 77.1 innings this season, Lively owns a 3.14 ERA and a 67:22 K:BB. He's on track to make his next start against the Tigers in Detroit.

Ober (8-4) picked up the win Thursday against Detroit, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

All three runs scored by the Tigers came with two outs in the second inning after strike three to Zach McKinstry got past Ryan Jeffers and allowed McKinstry to reach first and extend the inning. Still, Ober managed to generate a fourth outing with at least eight Ks, all of which have been quality starts. Through 94 innings this year, Ober owns a 4.12 ERA and a 100:23 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago next time out.

Stroman (7-4) took the loss against Cincinnati on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings.

Stroman struggled to keep the ball in the park Thursday -- of the five hits he allowed, three were long balls, and all five of the runs he yielded came on home runs. The right-hander hadn't been prone to the long ball coming in, as he hadn't given up a homer in three of his prior four starts. Stroman hasn't been pitching particularly well of late, though, as he has a 6.43 ERA across 21 frames covering his past four outings. The five earned runs he allowed against the Reds tied a season-high mark.

Montas (4-6) earned the win over the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over five-plus innings.

Montas held New York scoreless through four frames before giving up a pair of solo homers in the fifth. That marred his final stat line a bit, and he was pulled after giving up a leadoff double in the sixth, but the veteran right-hander still did enough to pick up his first win since June 4. Montas has a mediocre 4.19 ERA on the campaign, but he's at a 3.27 mark across 22 frames over his past four starts.

Webb (7-6) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over Atlanta on Thursday.

Webb gave up both runs on three hits and a sacrifice fly in the first inning, then settled in to produce a strong start by not allowing a runner past second base for the next six frames. He's gone seven innings in six of his last eight starts as he continues to be an innings-eater at the top of the Giants' rotation. For the season, Webb has a 3.09 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 103:27 K:BB over 119.1 innings through 19 starts. The right-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Blue Jays.

Morton (5-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Thursday.

Morton continues to alternate between good and bad starts, with this one not being particularly sharp. He threw 54 of 94 pitches for strikes and served up home runs to Heliot Ramos and Matt Chapman in the fourth inning. This was the first time all year Morton has been taken deep multiple times in a start. He's been generally effective with a 3.96 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB over 91 innings across 16 starts. The veteran right-hander is projected to make his next start at Arizona.

Ross (back) will make a rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday.

Ross has been sidelined since May 20 and has been ruled out through the All-Star break. It's uncertain how many pitches he'll throw in his first rehab appearance, though it's a clear step forward and an indication he has the chance to rejoin the rotation at some point in July.

Maeda (2-5) allowed nine runs on nine hits across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Twins. He walked three and struck out three.

It was another ugly performance for Maeda, who saw his season ERA climb to 6.71. Outside of a clean first inning, the veteran allowed multiple runs to score in each of his other frames. Maeda had a decent 2023 campaign for these same Twins, posting a 4.23 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 104.1 innings, but he hasn't carried that over into his first season in Detroit. The righty lines up to start again Tuesday against the Guardians, though at this point he can't be trusted by fantasy managers.

Miller won't start Sunday against Milwaukee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Miller would have been available on four days' rest to start Sunday, but the Dodgers will opt to give him at least two extra days to recover. He's struggled in three starts since returning from the injured list, posting a combined 7:9 K:BB with a 6.75 ERA and 1.73 WHIP.