MLB Player News

Phillips allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over five-plus innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Phillips was staked to a 9-0 lead through three innings, and he looked to be in line for a relatively easy win when he left the game with an eight-run lead after giving up consecutive singles to begin the sixth. However, the Reds' bullpen allowed both of those baserunners to score and surrendered three additional runs in the frame, and the Pirates attacked for seven more runs over the seventh and eighth innings to storm back for the win. Despite that outcome, Phillips made a positive overall impression in the outing, racking up 13 whiffs and a career-high nine punchouts. He's posted a solid 26:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings on the campaign and lines up for one more regular-season start, which is tentatively slated to come in St. Louis next weekend.

Falter allowed eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Falter logged just one inning as an opener in his previous outing, but it's unclear if he was slated to return to more of a traditional starting role Saturday. The lefty hurler didn't earn a chance to go very deep as he was pummeled for eight runs in just two frames. The Reds knocked three homers against Falter, including two in the first inning. Perhaps the only positive part of the pitcher's outing was that Pittsburgh was able to overcome a 9-0 deficit to pick up a victory and protect him from taking the loss. Despite the short outing, Falter tossed 57 pitches, so he presumably will have just one more chance to take the mound before the end of the campaign.

Quantrill (3-7) took the loss against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out four batters over four innings.

That Quantrill was able to escape the outing with just one run charged to his ledger is pretty impressive given that he allowed nine baserunners over four frames. Baltimore left eight runners on base while Quantrill was in the contest, including five over his final two innings. The right-hander was lifted after 93 pitches, snapping a streak of four straight outings during which he went at least 5.2 frames. Quantrill figures to have one more regular-season start left, which tentatively lines up to come next weekend in Detroit.

Wentz (3-12) took the loss Saturday in Oakland, allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five without issuing any walks.

The 25-year-old was deployed in a bulk-relief role, entering in the second frame after Miguel Diaz fired 1.1 scoreless innings operating as the team's opener. In Wentz's longest outing since June 17, he allowed just three hits, but one happened to be a two-run homer that gave Oakland the lead and saddled the southpaw with his 12th loss of the campaign. Control has been an issue all season, as he had a 4.1 BB/9 across 97.2 innings prior to Saturday, when Wentz avoided handing out any free passes for just the second time all season. It remains to be seen what role he fulfills in the final week of the campaign.

Means (1-1) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four batters over 7.1 innings.

Means was outstanding Saturday, holding the Guardians hitless until Andres Gimenez tagged him for a solo homer with two outs in the seventh. The left-handed hurler otherwise put just two runners on base (on a walk and a hit-by-pitch), needing just 96 pitches to cover 7.1 frames. This was Means' third start after spending the majority of the season on the injured list. He's been good since his return, posting a 2.60 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB over 17.1 innings. Means appears to already be built up enough to have no restrictions as a rotation option for the postseason.

Boyle (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings in a 4-1 victory over the Tigers. He struck out five.

Boyle was once again impressive in his second major-league start, scattering five hits and allowing just one unearned run en route to the first quality start and win of his young career. The 24-year-old righty has yet to surrender an earned run across his first two outings, yielding just six hits and three walks while striking out nine across nine innings. Boyle currently lines up to face the Angels on the road in the final series of the regular season next week.

Stripling allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Dodgers. He did not factor in the decision.

The Giants were already down 3-0 by the time Stripling entered the game. He didn't do anything to keep it close, allowing a pair of runs in both the fifth and eighth innings. This was Stripling's second appearance since he returned from a back injury, and he's yielded seven runs over 7.1 innings in those games. He's at a 5.57 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 68:16 K:BB through 85.2 innings over 21 outings (11 starts) this season.

Grove allowed a walk and struck out three over two scoreless innings in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Giants.

Grove worked the seventh and eighth innings and helped preserve the Dodgers' shutout. This was his fourth relief appearance in 16 outings this year, and it's likely he'll work out of the bullpen for the rest of the regular season as well as the postseason, assuming he is on the playoff roster. Grove has a 6.41 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 70:19 K:BB through 66 innings this season.

Kershaw (13-4) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.

Kershaw didn't have to do much, as J.D. Martinez provided the Dodgers with three RBI over the first three innings. Since returning from the injured list in mid-August, Kershaw has given up just seven runs over 31 innings across seven appearances. The southpaw is now at a 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 132:38 K:BB through 126.1 innings over 23 starts. His 13 wins are his most in four years, while his innings count is the same as it was in 2022. Kershaw is expected to start once more in the regular season next weekend in a rematch with the Giants at Oracle Park.

France (11-6) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to take the loss Saturday against the Royals.

France didn't receive any run support while he was in the game, and the Astros' comeback effort fell short in the late innings. With 26 runs allowed (25 earned) over his last 28.1 innings, it appears France has worn down late in the season. He's still at a respectable 3.83 ERA despite a 1.36 WHIP and 101:47 K:BB through 136.1 innings this year. His last start of the regular season is lined up to be a road outing in Arizona, but it's tough to envision him being part of a potential postseason rotation if the Astros are playing in October.