MLB Player News

Irvin (3-6) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings as the Nationals fell 5-3 to the Brewers. He struck out six.

The right-hander kept Milwaukee off the board for four innings, but his command and control issues caught up to him in the fifth as two free passes set up a three-run homer for William Contreras. Irvin has walked multiple batters in five straight starts, but he's largely been able to escape the jams he's created, posting a 2.93 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB through 27.2 innings over that stretch. He hasn't won a game since July 21 however, limiting his fantasy appeal in traditional 5x5 formats. He'll face a tough matchup in his next outing, likely to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Greinke did not factor into the decision Friday as the Royals downed the Astros 4-2, giving up three hits and a walk over two scoreless innings. He struck out one.

The 39-year-old got the start but was limited to 48 pitches (28 strikes) before being lifted in favor of Angel Zerpa, who wound up getting the win. It was Greinke's shortest appearance of the season by innings, although he did toss 44 pitches in a much more efficient five-inning outing May 3 against the Orioles -- his last, and only, win of the season. He hasn't completed five frames in any of his last six games, posting a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 22 innings over that stretch.

Javier (9-4) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Astros fell 4-2 to the Royals. He struck out six.

Single runs by Kansas City in the third, fourth and fifth innings -- the latter two on solo shots by Nelson Velazquez and Bobby Witt -- proved to be too much for the Houston offense to overcome, and Javier got the hook after 81 pitches (52 strikes). The right-hander has served up at least one homer in nine straight outings, a stretch in which he has a rough 5.68 ERA and 1.47 WHIP despite a 44:22 K:BB through 44.1 innings. Javier will try to get back on track in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Orioles.

Heaney allowed six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over two relief innings in Friday's 12-3 loss to Cleveland.

Heaney looked likely to rejoin the starting rotation this weekend with Max Scherzer (shoulder) on the shelf, but he ended up being summoned in long relief Friday after starter Jon Gray lasted just 3.2 innings. The veteran lefty made his second long-relief appearance in as many outings, both after short outings by Gray. Since he tossed 55 pitches Friday, Heaney is removed from consideration to start Sunday in what would have been Max Scherzer's turn in the rotation. The Rangers will need a fifth member of the rotation at least two more times beyond Sunday during the regular season, so Heaney could be used as a traditional starter over the coming two weeks.

Ober (7-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings in a 10-2 victory over the White Sox. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Ober tossed 60 of 93 pitches for strikes as he made his first start in the big leagues since Aug. 27 and recorded his first MLB win since July 18, blanking Chicago for four frames until Elvis Andrus tagged him for a two-run homer in the fifth. Ober may have only been making a spot start, but with Dallas Keuchel stumbling to an 8.03 ERA through his first three outings in September, the Twins may elect to keep the right-hander in the rotation for the last couple weeks of the regular season instead.

Canning (7-7) yielded four runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out seven and taking a loss against Detroit.

Canning allowed a run in each of the first two innings and later coughed up solo shots to Javier Baez and Jake Rogers. Over his last three starts, Canning has posted a solid 17:3 K:BB but has gone 0-3 while allowing nine runs. He hasn't picked up a win since snagging one in relief Aug. 19, and his last win in a start was June 24. Canning is currently projected to start in Minnesota next week.

Skubal (6-3) allowed one run on three hits over seven innings Friday, striking out nine and picking up a win over the Angels.

Skubal was nearly untouchable Friday. He allowed just two singles through six shutout frames before David Fletcher tagged him with a solo shot in the seventh inning. Skubal has given up just three runs while compiling a 25:3 K:BB over his last three starts. He's also forced 53 swinging strikes during that span. Skubal will carry a 3.25 ERA into his next outing, which is currently lined up to be in Oakland.

Kirby (10-10) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Dodgers.

Kirby has allowed 19 runs (18 earned) across 27 innings over his last five starts. This was also the second start in a row in which he's issued multiple walks, something he's done only four times all year. The rough patch has him up to a 3.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 158:18 K:BB through 171.2 innings over 28 starts overall. Kirby is projected for a favorable road start in Oakland next week.

Miller (10-3) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Friday.

Miller came up an out short of a quality start, but he was still able to earn his fourth win in his last six starts. In that span, he's given up 18 runs over 38 innings. The rookie right-hander is at a 4.02 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 99:30 K:BB through 107.1 innings through 19 starts this season. Miller's projected for a favorable home start versus the Tigers next week.

Lugo (7-7) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.

This was his fifth quality start in his last six outings, the exception being his road start in Houston last Saturday. Lugo gave up multiple home runs Friday for just the fourth time this year, but they were solo shots from Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker. Lugo is now at a 3.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 126:31 K:BB through 131.2 innings over 24 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Rockies next week.