MLB Player News

Bielak pitched 4.2 innings against Texas on Monday, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision.

Bielak's final line was softened a bit by the fact that three of the runs against him were unearned, but it was nonetheless a poor outing by the right-hander. He threw just 59 of 102 pitches for a strike and tied a season high with four walks while surrendering a pair of long balls. Nonetheless, Bielak managed to escape with a no-decision thanks to a productive performance by Houston's offense, keeping his record even at 5-5. Bielak had been pitching well in July coming into Monday, posting a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over three starts, so the rough outing shouldn't impact his place in the rotation for now. However, Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is on track to return to the rotation in early August, which could send Bielak to the bullpen.

Grove allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out six without walking a batter over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Monday.

Grove was decent aside from the eight hits, throwing 48 of 68 pitches for strikes in the short start. It was just the second time all season he's avoided walking a batter. The right-hander is now at a 6.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 53:17 K:BB through 56.2 innings over 13 appearances (10 starts). Grove should stick in the rotation for another turn at home over the weekend versus the Reds. He may eventually lose his major-league roster spot with Noah Syndergaard (finger) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) working back from injuries.

Ashcraft allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Monday.

Ashcraft tied a season high with four walks in the outing, but he avoided issuing multiple free passes in any one frame. The right-hander balanced the mild wildness with a campaign-best eight strikeouts, and he fell just two outs shy of a fifth straight quality start. Though Ashcraft has had some major blow-ups this season -- a big factor in his poor overall 5.64 ERA -- he's been pitching well since the end of June, posting a 2.10 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 30 innings covering his past five starts.

Rea notched a no-decision against Cincinnati on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

The only runs Rea gave up in the contest came on Elly De La Cruz's monster two-run homer in the third inning. That was the only extra-base hit Rea yielded in his fourth quality start of the campaign. The right-hander faltered against the Reds in his final outing before the All-Star break, allowing five runs over 4.2 frames, but he's been solid in his first two starts of the second half, giving up just four earned runs across 11 innings. Rea's spot in the rotation has been partly a consequence of Wade Miley (elbow) and Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) spending time on the injured list, so it's not certain how the Brewers will adjust with both of the injured hurlers potentially returning within the next few weeks.

Berrios allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Monday.

Berrios did alright from a damage-prevention standpoint, but he needed 94 pitches (52 strikes) to complete five frames. The right-hander has been sharp lately, having allowed just three runs over his previous 18.1 innings prior to Monday. This was the second start in a row that he's walked four. Berrios is at a 3.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 117:38 K:BB through 124.1 innings over 21 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Angels this weekend.

Nelson allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over six innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Monday.

Nelson has had three good starts and two poor ones in July, with Monday's outing falling in the latter category. The right-hander was at least efficient, needing just 87 pitches (56 strikes) to get through six frames. He's now at a mediocre 4.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 74:33 K:BB through 112.1 innings over 21 starts this season, though he's shown little consistency from one outing to the next. He's projected for a home start versus the Mariners over the weekend.

Wainwright (shoulder) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Wainwright threw 76 pitches (47 strikes) in his return from a right shoulder strain. The 41-year-old did alright in a challenging matchup, most importantly by keeping the ball in the yard, something he did just once in his last five starts before landing on the injured list. At this point in his career, he's just a back-end starter that probably won't help much in fantasy. He carries a 7.31 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 31:21 K:BB through 56.2 innings over 12 starts, with his next outing likely at home versus the Cubs over the weekend.

Darvish (7-7) allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings to take the loss Monday versus the Pirates.

Darvish was tagged for a season-high four homers Monday, which saw him fail to complete five frames for just the second time all season. He'd allowed just one run over 12 innings across his first two starts of the second half. The right-hander's poor start inflated his ERA to 4.80 with a 1.31 WHIP and 108:36 K:BB through 101.1 innings over 18 starts this season. Darvish is lined up for a tough home start versus the Rangers this weekend.

Priester (1-1) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings to earn the win Monday over the Padres.

Priester allowed a pair of home runs to Ha-Seong Kim, which accounted for three of the four runs on his line. Aside from those missteps, Priester did reasonably well in his second big-league start, throwing 89 pitches (50 strikes). The 23-year-old right-hander has allowed 11 runs over 10.2 innings to begin his career, and a 6:5 K:BB isn't all that inspiring, but he may get a chance to learn on the fly. He's tentatively lined up for a weekend start versus the Phillies if the Pirates don't skip him in the rotation -- an option they could take given their off days Thursday and next Monday.

Castillo allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over seven innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Monday.

Both of the runs and three of the four hits Castillo gave up came in the fifth inning. The veteran hurler was otherwise dominant, racking up 18 swinging strikes and nine punchouts. Castillo finished with his third quality start over his past four outings, though he's managed only one win over that stretch. He's been a consistent and reliable starter in his first full season with Seattle, completing at least five frames in all 21 of his starts and compiling a 3.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 142:32 K:BB over 125.1 innings.