MLB Player News

Gausman (7-3) earned the win Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over six innings against the Marlins. He struck out six.

Gausman cruised through the first three innings as Toronto's offense backed him with five runs early. He would run into some trouble in the fourth, however, giving up three consecutive hits to open the inning which would lead to two runs coming home for the Marlins. The right-hander allowed eight hits on the afternoon, the most he's surrendered in a start since May 5 against the Red Sox, but was still able to notch his seventh win of the season. Gausman, who had allowed one run or fewer in four of his last five starts coming in, has now won his last five decisions (spanning seven starts).

Alcantara (2-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on 10 hits with two walks over seven innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

The Blue Jays jumped all over Alcantara in the second inning, racking up five runs on six hits -- four of which came in the first four at-bats. The right-hander wouldn't allow another run to come across over the next five innings, but the damage had already been done, leaving the reigning National League Cy Young winner with his sixth loss of the season. Alcantara has now allowed five runs in back-to-back starts and in three of his four starts this month as his nightmare season continues.

Williams (4-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals, scattering five hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander was brilliant over 75 pitches (50 strikes), and after he left a first-inning double by Lars Nootbaar stranded at second base, Williams didn't allow another runner to get into scoring position. The quality start was only his third of the year, and he'll carry a 4.14 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 58:24 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, likely to come early next week in Seattle.

Mikolas (4-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings as the Cardinals were blanked 3-0 by the Nationals. He struck out three.

The veteran righty rebounded from a couple shaky outings to deliver his sixth quality start of the season, but he got no help from his offense as he fell to 0-4 in June. After posting a 1.89 ERA in May, Mikolas has stumbled to a 5.63 mark through 24 innings this month, but he'll try to take some momentum into his next outing, which is likely to come at home next week against the Astros.

Javier didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-8 win over the Mets, surrendering four runs on four hits and five walks over 2.1 innings. He struck out one.

It was a brutal outing for the right-hander, who needed 82 pitches (45 strikes) to record seven outs and issued a career-high five free passes, but the Houston offense quickly bailed him out. Javier's ability to keep the ball in the park has been his saving grace lately -- he has a 13:11 K:BB over his last five starts and 24.1 innings, but just a 3.70 ERA thanks to serving up only one homer during that stretch. He'll try to get back on track in his next trip to the mound, which is likely to come next week in St. Louis.

Whitlock did not factor in the decision against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out six batters over seven innings.

Whitlock was efficient in the outing, throwing 88 pitches (60 for strikes) in his second straight seven-inning start. He racked up an impressive 16 swinging strikes, though they led to a modest six punchouts. Since a rough outing against Tampa Bay on June 3, Whitlock has rebounded by posting a 3.10 ERA and 19:2 K:BB over 20.1 innings across his subsequent three starts. His next appearance tentatively lines up to come at home against Miami.

Gray allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against Boston on Wednesday.

Gray gave up a single run in each of the first, third and fifth frames and didn't come out for the sixth. He hasn't pitched into the sixth inning in any of his past three outings, though he's posted a a fine 3.86 ERA over that span. Gray has yet to give up more than three runs in a game through 15 starts this season, but he hasn't picked up a win since April 30. Since that date he's taken eight no-decisions and one loss while recording a 3.91 ERA. The right-hander has slowed down after a phenomenal beginning to the campaign, but he still ranks fourth among qualified pitchers with a 2.56 ERA overall.

Blackburn allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Blackburn was staked to an early four-run lead but couldn't hold it, giving up three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. The right-hander ended up with his fifth straight no-decision after coming off the injured list to make his season debut May 29. Blackburn notched seven strikeouts Wednesday, continuing a surprising trend that has seen him tally 30 punchouts over 25.2 innings on the campaign. Prior to this season, he had never come close to averaging a strikeout per inning, topping out at a 7.2 K/9 last year. The improved strikeout ability and Blackburn's tolerable 4.21 ERA has given him some mild fantasy value, though he's unlikely to find himself in the win column very often given Oakland's standing as one of the league's worst offensive teams.

Darvish dropped to 5-6 after allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Giants.

Darvish was done in by a rough fifth inning, which saw the Giants rally for all four runs on five hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly. It's the second start in a row where the right-hander has dropped off in the fifth -- while it's too soon to call it a pattern, it's at least something to monitor over the remainder of the first half. He's given up 14 runs across 16.1 innings in his last three starts, raising his ERA for the year to 4.84 with a 1.23 WHIP and 85:25 K:BB through 80 innings. Darvish is lined up for a road start in Pittsburgh next week.

Teheran did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two hits and four walks over five scoreless innings in a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

Teheran continued his excellent start to the 2023 season, limiting Arizona to just two hits across five innings. However, he was outdueled by Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen, who allowed just one run over seven frames and picked up his second no-decision of the season. Though Teheran set a season high with four walks Wednesday, he managed to get timely outs to hold the Diamondbacks scoreless and drop his ERA to 1.53 through six starts (35.1 innings).