MLB Player News

Morton (9-6) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Morton notched his seventh quality start and earned his ninth win Friday. Since allowing six runs to the Dodgers on May 22, the veteran right-hander has been solid, posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and11.5 K/9 over his past eight appearances (44.1 innings). If Morton can stay healthy in the second half of the season, he'll have a chance to approach his career-high marks (16 wins, 3.05 ERA, 240 strikeouts and 194.2 innings) from his stellar 2019 campaign with Tampa Bay.

Taillon (3-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing one hit and two walks over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Yankees. He struck out four.

Gleyber Torres rapped a single in the first inning, and that was all the Yankees could manager off the right-hander. Taillon fired 64 of 102 for strikes against the team he pitched for the prior two seasons, giving him just his second quality start of 2023. After a rough start to his Cubs tenure, all three of Taillon's wins have come since the beginning of June, and over his last seven outings he has a 4.69 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 40.1 innings.

Rodon (0-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.1 innings.

Rodon's first game as a Yankee came after a trio of minor-league rehab starts during which he allowed just one run and posted a 17:3 K:BB over 10.2 innings. The left-hander wasn't quite as effective against the Cubs, though he was just two outs away from recording a quality start. Rodon had topped out at 58 pitches during his rehab stint, and he was able to increase that number to 69 pitches Friday. Though he took the loss -- largely due to a complete absence of run support by New York's offense -- this was overall a positive outing for the veteran hurler given his long injury layoff. Rodon will have ample time to recover during the All-Star break, and he could start New York's first game in Colorado following the Midsummer Classic.

Alcantara did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on eight hits over 6.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out five and did not record a walk.

Alcantara allowed at least one home run for a second straight game and the 10th time over 18 appearances this season. However, that was the only damage done against the right-hander Friday, and he was in line for the win until A.J. Puk blew a two-run lead in the top of the ninth. It's certainly been a disappointing 2023 for the reigning NL Cy Young winner, as he currently boasts a career-worst 4.72 ERA and has a 7.4 K/9 -- his worst mark since 2019. Despite his struggles, Alcantara remains the ace of Miami's rotation.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings against the Marlins. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

Wheeler allowed a home run for a third consecutive appearance but still notched his 10th quality start of the year. The right-hander currently holds a 4.05 ERA, which would be his worst mark since 2017 when he made just 17 starts for the Mets, but his 119:22 K:BB over 104.1 innings remains elite. Wheeler doesn't face any competition for his spot in the rotation and figures to continue putting up top-tier strikeout numbers, but his next start won't come until after the All-Star break.

Faedo (1-4) took the loss Friday, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

Faedo was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday and made his first start at the big-league level since May 30, but it didn't go well. He allowed a season-high seven runs and couldn't complete the fourth inning, which ballooned his ERA to 6.98 through six appearances (29.2 innings). While Faedo's ERA is ugly, his 1.08 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB are solid, so he may be able to turn things around moving forward. The right-hander isn't scheduled to pitch again until after the All-Star break.

Manoah (2-7) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings in a 12-2 win over the Tigers. He struck out eight and didn't issue a walk.

Manoah struggled to start the year and was sent to the Florida Complex League in early June to get right. He slowly worked his way back to Toronto's rotation and pitched at the big-league level Friday for the first time since June 5. It was one of the right-hander's better starts of the campaign, as he struck out a season-high eight batters and completed six innings for just the third time in 14 appearances. Manoah's 5.91 ERA and 1.80 WHIP still need a lot of work, but the 2019 first-round pick's performance versus the Tigers was encouraging. Manoah's next start is scheduled for after the All-Star break.

Cease did not factor into the decision Friday against St. Louis, allowing five runs on 11 hits over six innings. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

Cease coughed up five runs in the first three innings but turned in three shutout frames to end his outing. He tossed 107 pitches and forced 17 whiffs. While his command and control have been shaky at times throughout the season, Cease has posted an impressive 23:3 K:BB over his last three starts. His ERA jumped to 4.30 alongside a 123:42 K:BB across 102.2 frames.

Hill (7-9) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings against Arizona. He struck out three.

Hill continued his struggles Friday, as he has now allowed at least three runs in five straight starts. The southpaw's ERA of 4.78 would be his highest mark since 2013. The veteran's next chance to redeem himself is tentatively slated to be against the Giants at home after the All-Star break.

Darvish (illness) gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Mets on Friday.

A non-COVID-19 illness cost Darvish two starts, though he didn't go on the injured list. The right-hander was a little off in terms of quality in his return to action, but he saw a full workload with 100 pitches (58 strikes) in the outing. Darvish closes a disappointing first half with a 4.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 89:28 K:BB through 85 innings over 15 starts. He'll get another extended rest with the All-Star break before lining up for a road start in Philadelphia to begin the second half.