MLB Player News

Falter allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters over four-plus innings in a no-decision Saturday in the Pirates' 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Falter was recalled from the minors ahead of Saturday's contest to make his first appearance in a Pittsburgh uniform after being acquired in a trade with the Phillies at the deadline. The southpaw made a decent impression, giving up six hits -- only one for extra bases -- and holding the Brewers to one run over four frames. Falter was ahead 2-0 heading into the fifth and could have had a shot at a win, but he was pulled in that inning after giving up a single to each of the first two batters he faced. It appears the 26-year-old will get a shot to remain in the Pirates' rotation with the team likely out of contention and looking to the future.

Burnes completed six innings Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision against Pittsburgh.

Despite tying a season high with four walks, Burnes was effective in the outing, allowing just a pair of hits. Both of those knocks came in the fifth inning, with the second of the two -- a Jason Delay double -- producing both of the runs charged to his ledger. The veteran hurler stuck around to complete six frames, giving him his seventh consecutive quality start and his 16th overall on the season, tied for third in the majors. Burnes' stats haven't been quite as good as they were the past few seasons, but he's still been impressive with a 3.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 141:50 K:BB over 139.1 innings.

Syndergaard (1-5) pitched six innings against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing five runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out three batters.

While Syndergaard was able to give Cleveland decent length, throwing 83 pitches over six frames, he had trouble keeping the ball in the park. The right-hander served up four homers, including three across the third and fourth innings. Syndergaard at least seemed to be physically fine after departing his previous contest as a result of taking a comebacker off his lower right leg, but this was a step back compared to that outing, during which he allowed just one run over 5.1 frames. The veteran hurler is getting a shot in the Guardians' rotation due to a slew of injuries to other starters, but he's struggled to get big-league hitters out this season, compiling a 6.75 ERA over 14 starts between Cleveland and the Dodgers.

Kopech (5-10) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings.

Kopech held the Guardians scoreless through five frames and was handed a 5-0 lead, but he allowed three straight one-out hits amid the chaos of a sixth-inning brawl between the teams and was unable to complete the frame. However, the right-hander nonetheless pitched well enough to emerge with his just his second win over his past 11 starts. Kopech didn't miss a ton of bats and again struggled to find the strike zone, and he's now walked at least three batters in all but one of his last eight outings. On a more positive note, he didn't allow any balls to leave the park Saturday, the first time he's held a team homerless over his past seven starts.

Anderson (5-3) allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Mariners.

Anderson had gone two starts without walking multiple batters before regressing Saturday. He particularly struggled in the third inning, which saw him give up three of the five baserunners and both runs on a Julio Rodriguez double. Anderson continues to return mixed results with a 4.92 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 86:44 K:BB through 104.1 innings over 20 outings (19 starts) this season. He is tentatively lined up for a challenging road start in Houston next weekend.

Kirby (10-8) allowed a run on three hits and struck out five without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.

The lone blemish on Kirby's line was a Randal Grichuk solo home run in the third inning. This was a return to Kirby's impeccable control -- he'd issued eight walks over his last seven starts, an unusually high mark for the right-hander. He's logged 16 quality starts in 22 outings this season, pitching to a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 124:14 K:BB through 135.2 innings on the year. Kirby is projected for a difficult home start versus the Orioles next weekend.

Grove allowed a hit and struck out four without walking a batter over 1.1 scoreless innings Saturday versus the Padres. He did not factor in the decision.

Grove was announced as the starter, but it ended up being more of an opener situation, with Ryan Yarbrough following him with 4.1 innings in bulk relief. That kind of arrangement may be the only way Grove sticks on the major-league roster in the near term. He was touched up for eight runs over six innings in his last start and still carries a 6.61 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 67:18 K:BB through 64 innings this season. While his strikeout numbers are solid, he'll likely be limited to low-leverage situations if he ends up as a traditional reliever going forward.

Snell allowed three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Saturday.

Snell's impressive run of 13 starts without allowing more than two runs came to a close, though it happened against a tough division rival. The southpaw was in line for the loss until the Padres rallied ahead in the eighth inning. Snell's 1.30 WHIP and 164:72 K:BB aren't the most encouraging marks, but he's allowed just 12 homers in 23 starts this season to offset an ugly 5.2 BB/9. That's helped him maintain a 2.61 ERA through 124 innings on the year. Snell is lined up for another challenging start on the road in Arizona during next weekend's series.

Skubal (2-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Skubal did a good job of pitching his way out of multiple jams throughout the contest, outside of the second inning, when he allowed one run to come across on a Manuel Margot single. The 26-year-old lefty would then hold the Rays scoreless over the next 3.1 innings before being relieved by Jose Cisnero. Skubal has now given up one run or fewer in four of his six starts, while the 5.1 innings marked his longest outing since he made his season debut in early July. He holds a very healthy 33:4 K:BB through 27 innings on the campaign.

Cortes did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over four innings against Houston. He struck out eight.

Cortes walked Jose Altuve to open the game before striking out the side, all swinging, to get out of the inning. The lefty would then give up a solo home run to Altuve in the third, though it was the only hit he allowed over his four innings of work while posting a season-high eight strikeouts. Cortes even struck out the side in order before heading to the bench. He's now fanned at least five batters in each of his last four starts. The Yankees certainly have to feel good about what they saw out of Cortes in his return to the rotation following the shoulder injury.