MLB Player News

Williams allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout over five innings in a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Williams has allowed nine or more baserunners in five of his last nine starts. He was able to get away with it for the most part Wednesday, though the one strikeout matched his season low. The right-hander is now at a 4.38 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 74:33 K:BB through 98.2 innings over 20 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

Rodriguez (6-5) allowed two runs on four hits across seven innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Royals. He had no walks and struck out seven.

Rodriguez was sharp as he earned his second straight win, and the lefty had his longest outing since going seven innings back on May 10. He missed some time with a finger injury and had allowed seven runs over nine innings since returning from the injured list earlier this month, but he appeared to get back on track Wednesday. Rodriguez will take a strong 2.69 ERA into his next start, which is tentatively set for Monday against the Giants.

Bello (7-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks over four innings against Oakland. He struck out three.

It was a rough day for Bello, who allowed a season-high six runs on three two-run homers. Wednesday's outing ended a run of seven consecutive quality starts for the 24-year-old right-hander -- he'd posted a 2.51 ERA over that span. Bello's ERA is now up to 3.60 with a 1.22 WHIP and 78:24 K:BB through 16 starts (90 innings) this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against Atlanta.

Dana has a 0.96 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB in 18.2 innings over his last three starts for High-A Tri-City.

Dana, who won't turn 20 until December, was jumped from Single-A Inland Empire after just three starts to High-A, where he is the youngest pitcher to throw 20-plus innings this season. The 6-foot-4 righty was famously given a record-setting $1.5 million signing bonus in the 11th round last year, and it appears to have been money well spent. Dana sits in the mid-90s with his fastball, which has good movement, and he also throws a plus slider. He is an exciting pitching prospect long term, given how good he already is at such a young age and how much better he could be in a few years if he stays healthy.

Gomber (8-8) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings in a 4-1 loss to the Astros. He struck out five.

The loss snapped a four-start winning streak for Gomber, who hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in that span. The 29-year-old southpaw now sports a 6.18 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP and 68:30 K:BB across 20 starts (102 innings) this season. Gomber will look to get back in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for a road matchup with the Nationals early next week.

Valdez (calf) will start Friday in Oakland, Greg Rajan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez had to exit his last outing with a cramp in his left calf, but he got through his normal between-starts bullpen session Wednesday with no issues. The left-hander has posted a 2.76 ERA in 18 starts this season, and his 27.4 percent strikeout rate would be a career best.

Bielak (5-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one hit and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings against the Rockies. He struck out four.

Bielak held the Rockies to one hit in the winning effort, though he ultimately fell an out short of logging a quality start after walking a pair in the sixth inning. Bielak has impressed since returning from Triple-A in early July, going 2-1 with a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across three starts (17.2 innings). Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 3.46 with a 1.40 WHIP and 50:26 K:BB through 65 innings this season. Bielak should have a safe role in Houston's rotation, at least until Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is ready to return from the IL. The former is lined up for a tough home matchup with the Rangers early next week.

Cortes (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It's not clear which affiliate he'll be assigned to, but the left-hander will finally be ready for game action this weekend. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he expects Cortes to require three rehab outings, likely setting the pitcher up to return when first eligible on Aug. 3 if all goes well. Cortes has been out since late May with a strained rotator cuff.

Fried (forearm) is slated to pitch five innings in his next rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

If he reaches that goal and all goes smoothly, Fried could return to Atlanta's starting rotation next week in Boston. Sidelined since early May because of a left forearm strain, the 29-year-old southpaw has worked 4.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts through his first two rehab outings.

Gray said Wednesday that he expects to make his next scheduled start after X-rays on his bruised left shin came back negative, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Gray was struck on the leg by a comebacker off the bat of the Rays' Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning of Wednesday's game and had to be removed. He's managed to escape with merely a contusion, though, and doesn't expect taking the ball early next week in Houston to be a problem.