MLB Player News

Junk (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering four hits and a walk over five-plus scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Royals. He struck out eight.

In his fifth career big-league start and first of the year, Junk put together an impressive performance as he didn't allow a Kansas City baserunner past second base while setting a career high in Ks and racking up his first MLB win. The right-hander only got the hook after walking Whit Merrifield to begin the sixth inning. Junk hasn't posted huge strikeout numbers in the minors, but this effort was likely good enough to keep him in the rotation for now, especially if the Angels trade away veteran arms like Noah Syndergaard by the deadline.

Rasmussen didn't factor in the decision against Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out four batters over 4.2 innings.

Rasmussen didn't allow any extra-base hits in the contest, but the Orioles were able to string together baserunners well enough to put up three runs against him. The Rays appear intent on keeping the right-hander relatively fresh, as he's thrown five or more innings only twice over his past six starts despite delivering a respectable 3.45 ERA during that span. Rasmussen isn't going to pick up many wins if that trend continues, but he's pitched well enough this year to deserve a roster spot in deeper fantasy leagues.

Garrett (2-4) took the loss against Cincinnati on Wednesday, pitching five innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight.

Garrett looked to be headed for an early exit after giving up four runs in the first inning, but he surrendered only one more over the remainder of his appearance and was able to complete five frames. However, the Marlins offense was unable to provide enough runs to overcome the early deficit, handling Garrett his fourth loss of the campaign. Prior to Wednesday, the left-hander appeared to be putting everything together, allowing just five runs while posting a 25:5 K:BB over his past 25 innings across four starts.

Castillo (4-4) earned the win over Miami on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over seven innings.

Castillo gave up multiple homers for the first time this season, but he nonetheless held the Marlins to three runs to pick up a quality start and a victory. The right-hander racked up 15 swinging strikes and notched exactly eight punchouts for the third consecutive outing. Castillo was excellent in July, posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB over 28 innings covering four starts. That has further driven up his appeal to contending teams, and Castillo is among the most likely starting pitchers to be dealt ahead of next week's trade deadline.

Gallen hurled five innings against San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out five batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Gallen wasn't overpowering in the outing, but he allowed only one extra-base hit and limited the Giants to a pair of fourth-inning runs (one of which was unearned). However, the right-hander wasn't able to go very deep into the contest as a result of throwing 93 pitches during his five frames. Gallen has taken a no-decision in seven of his past eight outings, though he has completed at least five innings in every start during that span. He has solid numbers overall this season, including a 3.24 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB over 105.2 frames.

Webb (9-4) was tagged with the loss against Arizona on Wednesday, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Webb entered the seventh inning with the scored tied 2-2, but he gave up consecutive singles to start the frame. Both of those runners were cashed in one batter later, sending Webb to the showers and saddling him with his fourth loss. The right-hander had given up four combined runs over 26 innings across his previous four starts entering Wednesday, so the unhappy outcome against Arizona was far from the norm in terms of his recent performances.

Darvish allowed two earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 11 across seven innings Wednesday against the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Darvish tallied a season-high 11 strikeouts on the strength of 16 swinging strikes across 106 total pitches. He exited the game with a one-run lead, though Taylor Rogers blew a save chance in the ninth inning to squander a win for Darvish. Darvish has struck out at least nine batters in five of his last six starts, and he now has a 3.24 ERA and a 120:24 K:BB across 122.1 innings.

Morton (5-5) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out five across five innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Phillies.

Morton held the Phillies scoreless through four innings but had his start spoiled in his final frame when he allowed five of the first seven batters he faced to reach base. After maintaining a 1.60 ERA and 0.77 WHIP across a five-start stretch from mid-June to early July, Morton has allowed nine earned runs across his last 16 innings -- spanning three outings. Morton owns a 4.34 ERA and 126:42 K:BB in 110 frames for the season.

Gray (7-5) allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight across 6.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Mariners.

Gray wasn't particularly sharp through six innings but still managed to limit the Mariners to one run. However, he came undone in the seventh inning, capped by a three-run homer by Julio Rodriguez. Gray entered the start having allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his last eight starts, and he now owns a 3.62 ERA and 113:33 K:BB across 102 frames on the season.

German allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Mets on Wednesday.

German gave up five runs in three innings versus the Astros in his season debut last week, but he fared better against the Mets in his second start. He gave up a solo home run to Pete Alonso and an RBI single to Francisco Lindor. German threw 52 of 82 pitches for strikes, so he's just about stretched out fully already and will likely face only minimal restrictions going forward. He's on track for a home start versus the Mariners next week.