MLB Player News

Webb (9-11) took the loss Wednesday as the Giants were downed 4-1 by the Reds, giving up two runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander delivered his NL-leading 19th quality start of the season -- only Gerrit Cole has more with 20 -- on 94 pitches (65 strikes), but Webb got little run support and is now winless over his last five outings. After posting a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:3 K:BB through 38.2 innings in August, he'll kick off the final month of the season on the road, as he's lined up for a start early next week in Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

Greene (3-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Giants. He struck out six.

The right-hander got back on track after coughing up 14 runs (13 earned) in only 6.2 innings during his first two starts in August. Greene generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches as he collected his first win since June 17, as a lengthy IL stint due to a hip issue sidelined him for two months. The 24-year-old will look to carry that momentum into September, with his next outing likely to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Luzardo pitched six scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out eight batters in a no-decision.

Luzardo held the Rays hitless through 5.1 frames until Yandy Diaz snapped the spell with a sixth-inning double. Luzardo got out of that frame unscathed on the scoreboard but didn't return for the seventh, having thrown 96 pitches. The left-hander racked up 16 whiffs en route to eight punchouts but had to settle for a no-decision since the Marlins' offense was unable to push any runs across the plate. Luzardo went through a rough stretch to end July and begin August, posting a 9.00 ERA and 2.24 WHIP over four starts (three losses) covering 17 innings. He's bounced back nicely, however, ending the current month with two straight scoreless outings during which he's allowed just three hits and posted a 15:3 K:BB over 12 frames.

Eflin pitched 6.1 scoreless innings against Miami on Wednesday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision.

Eflin was excellent in the outing, preventing the Marlins from putting on more than one baserunner in any inning. The right-hander notched his third straight quality start and was very efficient with just 69 pitches over 6.1 frames but had to settle for a no-decision since Miami starter Jesus Luzardo was nearly unhittable. Eflin lowered his season ERA to 3.40 with the standout start, and he's already set a career high with 13 victories. He's bounced back well from a three-inning, six-run dud against Cleveland on Aug. 13, posting a 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 18.1 frames over his subsequent three starts.

Dunning allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.

All of the damage against Dunning came in the second inning, when he gave up three runs, two of which came on back-to-back long balls by Daniel Vogelbach and DJ Stewart. Though Dunning put up a zero in each of his other frames, he needed 74 pitches to get through four innings and didn't make it to the mound for the fifth. The right-hander began August by posting a 2.18 ERA and 29:4 K:BB over 20.2 frames across his first three starts, but he ended the month much less positively, allowing 10 runs while recording a 14:9 K:BB across 11 innings over his past three appearances.

Cole (12-4) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Cole wasn't overpowering in the effort -- he recorded a modest nine swinging strikes and seven punchouts -- but he walked away with his second straight victory following a rough four-inning, six-run loss to Boston on Aug. 19. The right-hander collected his league-leading 20th quality start, with seven of those coming in his nine outings since the All-Star break. Cole also ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (188), second in ERA (2.95) and fourth in WHIP (1.04).

Pfaadt dropped to 1-7 after allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Pfaadt had gotten his season on track in August, but the month ended on a sour note. He gave up two-run home runs to Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward in the third inning, and Max Muncy added a two-run double in the fourth. Pfaadt gave up 16 runs (15 earned) over 33.2 innings across his six starts in August. The rookie is now at a 6.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB through 71 innings over 14 starts this year. He's tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

Freeland dropped to 5-14 while allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to Atlanta.

Facing baseball's most powerful offense at Coors Field was always going to be tricky for Freeland. He ended up with a sour end to a mediocre August in which he went 1-3 while allowing 25 runs (24 earned) over 33.2 innings across six starts. The poor month elevated his ERA from 4.79 to 5.18, and he has a 1.47 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 140.2 innings this season. Freeland is projected to make his next start on the road in Arizona.

Vines (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the Rockies.

Making his major-league debut at Coors Field, Vines had few issues with the Rockies' lineup. The runs against him came on an Ezequiel Tovar single and a Hunter Goodman sacrifice fly. Vines had a 2.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett after recovering from a shoulder injury, so his success isn't all that surprising. The rookie right-hander could have a chance to stick in Atlanta's rotation beyond Wednesday. If he does, he could pitch at home versus the Cardinals next week, though Atlanta may use Monday's off day to push him to the back a few days instead.

Wentz tossed five innings as the bulk pitcher in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Yankees. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.

The six strikeouts were nice, but Wentz was largely ineffective once again, pushing his season ERA to 6.65, which would be the worst in the majors if he qualified. Three home runs accounted for most of the damage, and he's now allowed 21 long balls this season in 89.1 innings. Wentz may continue to get some chances as a starter or bulk reliever down the stretch, but he can be avoided in fantasy given his struggles.