MLB Player News

Kirby (12-10) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Astros.

Kirby's dominant performance was particularly timely, given the postseason stakes at play. This was his first scoreless outing since Aug. 12, and he'd given up at least three runs in each of his last six starts. With Tuesday's effort, the right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.06 WHIP and 165:19 K:BB through 184.2 innings over 30 starts this season. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Mariners, who remain in contention for a playoff spot and the AL West title. Kirby is projected for a start this weekend versus the Rangers, one he'll almost certainly make if the Mariners aren't eliminated before his turn comes up again.

Blackburn (4-7) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks over three innings against Minnesota. He struck out three.

Blackburn tied his season high in walks Tuesday while also posting his most runs allowed since July. Because of his struggles, Blackburn was yanked at just 77 pitches and failed to make it into the fourth frame. With the regular season winding down and the A's long eliminated from the playoffs, Tuesday's start will likely be Blackburn's last of 2023. If that's the case, he'll finish his seventh MLB season with a 4.43 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and a 104:43 K:BB across 103.2 innings.

Ober (8-6) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings against the Athletics. He struck out eight.

While Ober didn't go deeper than five innings for a ninth consecutive start, he turned in one of his best starts of the season, tying his season high in strikeouts while not allowing a homer for the first time since mid-July. Ober could have a tougher time in his next projected start, which will come Sunday against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Detmers (4-10) allowed a run on four hits and four walks while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win over the Rangers on Tuesday.

Detmers ended a five-start winless skid with a solid outing, though the four walks matched his season high. This was the fifth time he'd gone seven frames in an appearance this season, and it was only the second time he's won such a start. For the year, the southpaw is at a 4.48 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 168:60 K:BB through 148.2 innings over 28 starts. Detmers could get one more start at home versus the Athletics on normal rest, but it's unclear if the Angels will want to roll him out there when they have nothing to play for.

Mikolas (8-13) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

After allowing five earned runs and taking the loss in each of his last three starts, Mikolas rattled off seven innings of one-run baseball against Milwaukee. The outing marked Mikolas' second in the last 10 starts without allowing a home run. Over that stretch (60 innings), Mikolas owns a 6.00 ERA with a 33:13 K:BB. He's lined up to close out the Cardinals regular season Sunday against the Reds at Busch Stadium.

Houser (7-5) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over five innings against St. Louis. He struck out five.

Despite retiring the first nine batters he faced, Houser finished Tuesday's start with four earned runs, including a solo homer allowed to Tommy Edman in the fifth. Houser's struggles resulted in his first loss since Aug. 15, though he missed a couple of weeks with an elbow injury since that point. He'll likely take the mound once more before the end of the regular season to take on the Cubs at American Family Field on Sunday.

Lugo (8-7) allowed three hits and three walks while striking out seven over 8.2 shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Giants.

Lugo nearly had a shutout, but he put two runners on in the ninth and exited with 123 pitches (80 strikes). Josh Hader was able to secure the one-out save. It appears Lugo saved his best for last this year, with this being his best appearance and his fourth scoreless outing over his last eight starts. The right-hander is at a 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 140:36 K:BB through 146.1 innings over 26 starts overall. With just four games left on the Padres' schedule, it's possible this was Lugo's last start of 2023.

Davies did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk over three innings against the White Sox. He struck out three.

Despite being 10 days removed from his last start due to a postponement, Davies failed to go deeper than three frames Tuesday. He was immediately tagged by Eloy Jimenez for a three-run homer in the first inning before also surrendering an RBI single to the slugger in the second frame. Davies has now lasted four or fewer innings in four consecutive outings, a stretch in which he's surrendered at least three runs in every start. The veteran is lined up to make one more start this season, which is expected to come Sunday against the Astros.

Urena (0-7) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks over four innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

Urena struggled to get through the Diamondbacks order Tuesday, allowing three runs across his first three innings of work before leaving the bases loaded in the fifth with no outs. Through nine starts, Urena has taken seven losses, and he's surrendered four or more earned runs in two of his last three appearances. Urena is lined up to make one more start this week, closing out the 2023 regular season for the White Sox at home against the Padres on Sunday.

Steele did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings against Atlanta. He struck out six.

Steele held Atlanta off the board through five innings Tuesday before surrendering three runs in the sixth. Chicago's bullpen would ultimately squander a three-run lead, leaving Steele with a no-decision. Despite a tough finish, it was a step in the right direction for the left-hander after he allowed six runs in each of his prior two outings. Steele will carry a 3.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 176 strikeouts into his final start of the regular season, currently scheduled for this weekend in Milwaukee.