MLB Player News

Gray did not factor in the decision against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five batters.

Gray gave up a pair of runs in the second inning but was staked to a lead when Minnesota scored four times between the third and fifth frames. The veteran right-hander couldn't capitalize on the support, however, surrendering two runs in the bottom of the fifth before getting pulled with two outs. It was the first time Gray has failed to complete five innings in four starts and also marked the first time he's given up more than one run over that stretch. His 3.33 ERA and 1.15 WHIP on the season are solid, but Gray is on pace to strike out less than a batter an inning for the first time since 2018.

Pepiot allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings against Minnesota on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

Pepiot got through two scoreless innings before a three-run homer off the bat of Jorge Polanco in the third provided the big blow against him. Pepiot allowed another run on a Gary Sanchez solo shot in the fifth and was pulled soon thereafter. This was the worst of the rookie's five starts thus far, as he yielded the most hits and runs of any of his big-league appearances. Pepiot will likely get another start with Clayton Kershaw (back) not yet throwing, but Dustin May (elbow) is slated to return to action next weekend, which could push Pepiot back to the minors.

Keller (4-8) earned the win over Arizona on Wednesday, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Keller couldn't extend his streak of five straight quality starts, but he did something he wasn't able to do in any of his past four outings -- pick up a victory. The Pirates gave him an unusually decent amount of run support, and Keller capitalized by holding the Diamondbacks without an extra-base hit. The right-hander owned a 5.21 ERA through 16 starts on July 6, but he's been able to lower that to a much more respectable 4.25 with his recent solid stretch. Keller may finally be living up to the potential that made him a second-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2014.

Freeland (7-8) took the loss against St. Louis on Wednesday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 4.1 innings.

Freeland had been pitching well coming into the contest, picking up three straight wins and striking out 20 batters over his past 18.2 innings. He took a step back against the Cardinals, however, yielding 10 hits (five of which went for extra bases) and tying his worst mark of the season by yielding six earned runs -- five of which came in the first frame. Freeland struck out only one batter in the loss after punching out at least six in each of his previous three starts. He's had some strong stretches this season but is a volatile fantasy pitcher overall with a 4.84 ERA and 1.41 WHIP on the campaign.

Quintana (4-5) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

Quintana wasn't as dominant as in his St. Louis debut last week, when he gave up only one hit over six innings against the Cubs. However, Wednesday's performance was impressive in its own right, especially considering that it came at Coors Field. Quintana notched his seventh quality start of the campaign and picked up his fourth win -- three of which have come in his past seven starts. The veteran southpaw should see more opportunities for victory now that he's with a first-place team, and he was allowed to throw 103 pitches Thursday, only the third time in 22 starts this season that he's reached 100 pitches.

Verlander pitched six innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Verlander returned to earth Wednesday, allowing more than one earned run for the first time in eight starts. The Rangers scratched two runs across in the top of the fourth and a sacrifice fly by Leody Taveras in the sixth frame provided the final tally against Verlander. The 39-year-old was able to extend his quality-start streak to eight consecutive outings, producing an absurd 1.17 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 53 strikeouts over 53.2 innings during that stretch. His season numbers now sit at a 1.85 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 134 punchouts over 136 frames in 21 outings.

Bubic tossed 5.2 innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Bubic pitched five scoreless frames before the wheels fell off in the sixth inning, a development that was only partly his fault. After Bubic allowed the White Sox to load the bases with one out in the inning, two runs came around to score due to a fielding error by Michael Massey on what could have been an inning-ending double play. Another baserunner subsequently crossed the plate with two outs in the frame and Bubic was removed from the game. He fell one out shy of a fifth consecutive quality start. Over the left-hander's last five starts, he's posted a 2.27 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 26 strikeouts over 31.2 innings.

Cueto pitched six innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out four in Wednesday's loss to the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Cueto was not his sharpest Wednesday, allowing the Royals to reach base 10 times, but he was able to hang in there for a quality start. The right-hander allowed one run in the bottom of the third before two more runs came around to score in the sixth frame. Cueto has now produced eight straight quality starts, though he has allowed 20 hits over 14 innings in his last two starts. He now owns a 2.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 68 strikeouts over 102 frames in 16 outings this season.

Civale pitched four innings, allowing two runs on three hits while hitting a batter and striking out four in Wednesday's win over the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Civale returned to the mound Wednesday after missing almost a month while nursing a wrist injury, limiting the Tigers to just four baserunners. Both runs he surrendered came in the bottom of the fourth inning with Harold Castro and Eric Haase driving them in. Civale was limited to 62 pitches in the outing and will likely face a pitch limit for at least a couple more starts moving forward. After starting off the season cold, Civale has produced a very solid 3.24 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 33.1 innings in his last seven outings.

Ray allowed two earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out seven across 6.1 innings Wednesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Ray was effective from a run suppression standpoint, allowing only a two-run home run to Kyle Higashioka. However, he lost control of his pitches for most of his start and has now walked 11 batters across the 16 innings covering his last three starts, although he still has a 3.94 ERA in that span. For the season, Ray has a 3.90 ERA with a 156:49 K:BB across 136 frames.