MLB Player News

Valdez did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing five walks but no hits over seven shutout innings versus the Tigers. He struck out six.

Valdez hadn't walked more than two in any start since the beginning of July, but his control abandoned him in this one, as he also hit a batter in addition to the five free passes. His pitch count ballooned to 114 through seven frames because of the wildness, leaving Astros manager Dusty Baker with no choice but to pull Valdez in the middle of a no-hitter. Bryan Abreu lost the no-no in the eighth and Ryan Pressly lost the game in the ninth. Valdez, of course, completed a no-hitter earlier this month against the Guardians, but he's been up-and-down since the All-Star break (5.33 ERA), mixing in some clunkers with his brilliant efforts.

Keller (11-8) earned the win Friday, allowing four hits and one walk over eight scoreless innings against the Cubs. He struck out six.

Keller needed only 93 pitches to complete eight innings, which marked his second longest outing of the season in stifling the Cubs to earn his 11th win, and he might have been allowed to go for the complete-game shutout if he hadn't taken a comebacker off the leg in the eighth. Keller did finish the frame, however. The first-time All-Star had struggled in his first five starts following the break with a 9.11 ERA over 26.2 innings. However, in his past three starts he's regained his form, allowing only three earned runs with 25 strikeouts in 20 innings for a 1.35 ERA. Keller will look to continue rolling in his next start, currently scheduled to take place next Wednesday in Kansas City.

Eflin (13-8) took a tough-luck loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six frames versus the Yankees. He struck out 11.

Eflin matched counterpart Gerrit Cole with a season-high 11 punchouts, but he exited with the Rays down one and the Yankees eventually pulled away to saddle Eflin with a loss. It was the right-hander's second double-digit strikeout game of the season after he fanned 10 Pirates back in early May. Eflin had a scare with his knee in late July but has bounced back with four superb starts in five August outings.

Cole (11-4) picked up the win Friday, yielding two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks over 7.2 innings in a 6-2 victory over the Rays. He struck out 11.

Cole was in control all night, permitting just a solo home run to Yandy Diaz and having an unearned run charged to his ledger after he was lifted in the eighth inning. The right-hander's 11 strikeouts tied his season high, and he induced 17 swinging strikes on an even 100 pitches. It was a terrific bounce-back effort from Cole after his ERA rose above 3.00 for the first time all season when he coughed up six runs his last time out. The right-hander's ERA now sits at 2.95, and he's up to 181 strikeouts over 168 frames.

Manning was removed from Friday's start versus the Astros in the seventh inning with an undisclosed injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. He allowed just one unearned run on one hit over 6.1 frames before departing.

Manning looked to tweak something in his side or back while delivering a pitch. He tested things out with one warmup pitch but then walked off the field and into the clubhouse. It's unfortunate timing, as Manning was in the middle of one of the best starts of his career in permitting just one unearned run on an infield single, an error and a catcher's interference.

Lodolo (tibia) has officially been pulled off his rehab assignment, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Lodolo suffered another stress reaction in his left tibia during his third rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, which is the same injury that has kept him out for the bulk of the season. While no timetable has been established, it seems unlikely at this point that he'll be able to make it back before the end of the regular season.

Lively (pectoral) could be activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lively has rejoined the Reds in Arizona rather than making another rehab start. He could start Saturday's game, but a piggyback situation with Brett Kennedy also seems to be on the table. Lively has been out since early August with a right pectoral strain.

Gonzales is expected to have a normal offseason after recently undergoing surgery for a nerve issue in his left forearm, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Gonzales had already been ruled out for the rest of the current campaign, but it sounds like he should enter the offseason without any restrictions. The left-hander is set to earn $12.25 million in 2024 and the Mariners have a $15 million option on him for 2025. Gonzales was limited to just 10 starts in 2023 before getting hurt, posting a 5.22 ERA.

Ryan (groin) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday versus the Rangers, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ryan has been given the official go-ahead to rejoin the Twins' rotation after throwing 71 pitches and striking out seven batters over four innings of one-run ball in his lone minor-league rehab start last Friday with Triple-A St. Paul. The 27-year-old right-hander landed on the injured list Aug. 3 due to a left groin strain.

Flaherty (soreness) was able to do some throwing Friday, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty experienced some general soreness following his last start against the Padres Aug. 15, during which he was lit up for seven earned runs on four hits and four walks over just three innings. Kyle Bradish will start for Baltimore on Saturday against the visiting Rockies, but the Orioles' pitching schedule beyond that has to be determined. Flaherty could perhaps be ready to take the hill for Sunday's series finale versus Colorado or Monday's series opener versus the White Sox.