MLB Player News

France allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Monday.

The outing was a mixed bag for France -- a third-inning three-run homer off the bat of Royce Lewis put him in an early hole, but he gave up only one more run despite failing to record a single 1-2-3 frame. The rookie righty also racked up an impressive 17 swinging strikes and fanned eight batters for the second straight game. Though this was France's second-longest start of the season, it was also just the second time he's given up more than one earned run through five appearances. From a fantasy perspective, his appeal is increasing with his improved strikeout numbers -- France notched a modest 10 punchouts over his first 15.1 big-league frames but has struck out 16 across his past 11.2 innings.

Gray allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three batters over six-plus innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Gray sailed through six frames but was pulled after allowing the first two batters he faced in the seventh to reach base. A Jose Altuve grand slam off Brock Stewart allowed both those runners to score and wiped out Minnesota's lead, causing Gray to take his fifth consecutive no-decision. The right-hander didn't have his best stuff Monday -- the three punchouts were his fewest since his first start of the campaign, and he notched only seven swinging strikes -- but he did manage to record his first quality start of May. Gray is still sporting an excellent 1.94 ERA, but he's been less dominant of late, giving up 10 earned runs over his past 25.1 innings.

Canning moved to 4-2 after allowing three runs on six hits over six innings while striking out nine in Monday's 6-4 win over the White Sox.

Canning gave up one run through three frames before giving up a pair of solo homers later in the contest. He set new season highs with nine strikeouts and 20 whiffs, marking the first time he forced more than eight swinging strikes since April 25. The 27-year-old has allowed at least three runs in five of his last six starts but his ERA dropped Monday to 4.89 through 42.1 frames. Canning is currently projected to start in Houston this weekend.

Kopech dropped to 3-5 after striking out 10 while allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Angels.

Kopech gave up four runs on two homers in the first inning but was able to dance around trouble for the rest of the outing. He struck out 10 batters but needed 102 pitches to get through just 4.1 frames. The 27-year-old also matched his season high by forcing 17 swinging strikes. Kopech has compiled a filthy 29:3 K:BB over his last three starts but his ERA jumped back up to 4.52 after Monday's shaky performance. He's projected to start at home against the Tigers this weekend.

Blackburn (finger) allowed one run on four hits and two walks across four innings during Monday's 7-2 win over Atlanta. He struck out six and didn't factor in the decision.

In his return from the 15-day injured list for his 2023 debut, Blackburn delivered better-than-expected results after he logged a 7.50 ERA through 18 minor-league rehab innings. After allowing a run in the first inning, he settled in for a strong outing, though he needed 81 pitches to get through four frames. Blackburn forced 12 whiffs, which would tie the second-highest total he produced during the 2022 season. The 29-year-old righty is projected to make his second start of the week in Miami this weekend.

Bradley (3-2) was tagged with the loss against the Cubs on Monday, allowing an unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over 5.2 innings.

A fourth-inning Tampa Bay error helped Chicago notch the game's only run, resulting in Bradley taking his second career loss despite another strong outing. The rookie righty tossed a season-high 5.2 frames to fall one out shy of his first quality start, and he punched out eight batters while walking only one. Bradley's pitch count is being kept in check -- the 90 pitches he threw Monday marked a campaign high -- but he's still been able to complete at least five innings in all but one of his six starts. Overall, he has looked every bit deserving of a big-league rotation spot, compiling a 3.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 42:5 K:BB over 30 innings.

Stroman improved to 5-4 in in Monday's 1-0 win over Tampa Bay after allowing one hit and one walk while striking out eight batters over nine shutout innings.

The Rays entered Monday having scored the most runs in MLB, but that didn't phase Stroman as he tossed the second complete-game shutout of his nine-year big-league career (the other came during his rookie season with Toronto). The right-hander was a Wander Franco single away from a no-hitter, and he racked up 20 swinging strikes while tying his season high with eight punchouts. This was undoubtedly the high point of Stroman's campaign thus far, but he's been excellent throughout the season, tallying 10 quality starts and posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and .188 BAA while leading the National League with 73 innings pitched. His strikeout numbers aren't overpowering, but Stroman is among the early Cy Young contenders in the NL with one-third of the campaign in the rearview mirror.

Soroka (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over six innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Oakland.

Soroka made his first MLB start since 2020 after a string of ill-timed injuries. He worked through four shutout frames before being tagged with four runs in the fifth, including a three-run shot by Ryan Noda. Soroka threw 83 pitches and his fastball topped out at 95.7 mph. Prior to his season debut Monday, he posted a 4.33 ERA through eight Triple-A starts. The 25-year-old is currently projected to start in Arizona this weekend.

DeSclafani (4-4) yielded three runs on eight hits over seven innings Monday, striking out two and earning a win over Pittsburgh.

DeSclafani gave up just one run through six frames before the Pirates put two on the board in the seventh. He's given up three or more runs in four of his last five outings, raising his season ERA to 3.48. DeSclafani has registered a 5.22 ERA during that five-game span after posting a 2.13 ERA through his first six outings. He'll carry a 49:9 K:BB into his next outing, which is projected to be at home against the Orioles.

Hill (4-5) allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Giants.

Hill was cursed by a disastrous second inning in which he gave up five runs. He allowed a home run for the first time since May 5 and saw his ERA jump to 4.76 through 58.2 frames. Hill has been charged with at least four runs in three of his last five starts, including 11 total runs in his last two appearances. He's currently lined up for a weekend start at home against the Cardinals.