MLB Player News

Springs gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings in an 8-4 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Springs got into trouble early, giving up home runs off the bats of Xander Bogaerts and Trevor Story in the first and second innings. He eventually settled down to throw a couple of scoreless frames before being pulled after four innings of work. The 29-year-old left-hander has asserted himself as a fairly dependable starter in 2022 after beginning the season in the bullpen. Despite giving up three earned runs over four innings he still has a 2.53 ERA and 1.05 WHIP this season. Springs, who has now given up five home runs over his last two starts, is expected to make his next start Monday at home in a rematch against the Red Sox.

Kikuchi (3-5) allowed four runs on two hits, five walks and two hit batters in 2.1 innings, taking the loss against the Athletics on Tuesday. He did not record a strikeout.

Kikuchi finished June on a high note with a quality start versus the Rays, but he was right back to poor form Tuesday. This was the third time in his last six starts that he's failed to complete three innings. The 31-year-old southpaw is at a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB through 65 innings in 16 starts overall. Given his inability to pitch deep into games, Kikuchi remains a risky fantasy play heading into a road start versus his former team, the Mariners, this weekend.

Quintana (2-4) gave up one earned run on six hits and no walks while striking out seven over five innings to earn the win in a 5-2 victory over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Quintana came up big against one of the most formidable lineups in baseball, garnering 10 swings and misses en route to seven strikeouts and his second win of the season. The veteran left-hander has been effective this season and now has a 3.33 ERA in 16 starts for the Pirates. Tuesday's performance marked his third quality start in a row and he will look to carry his momentum forward into his next expected start at Milwaukee on Sunday.

Taillon (9-2) gave up five earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss in a 5-2 defeat against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Taillon was done in by a pair of home runs off the bats of Daniel Vogelbach and Jack Suwinski get handed his second loss of the season. Taillon's 9-2 record conceals his struggles as of late. The 30-year-old right-hander has now given up 14 earned runs over his past three starts. His last quality start came over a month ago June 3, yet he has tallied three wins during that time thanks to the Yankees' high-powered offense. Look for Taillon to take the mound Sunday at Boston, when he will go for his 10th win of the season.

Greinke (2-5) took the loss Tuesday versus the Astros. He allowed six runs on 10 hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings.

The Royals held a lead until the fifth inning, when Greinke allowed home runs to Jeremy Pena and Alex Bregman. This was the third time in 13 starts Greinke's allowed multiple homers. The right-hander has allowed exactly one run in each of his first two starts back from the injured list, but Tuesday's outing resembled the struggles he had for much of May. Overall, he's at a 4.85 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB across 68.2 innings. The 38-year-old is projected for a home start versus the Guardians this weekend.

Kopech (2-6) took the loss during Tuesday's 8-2 defeat at the hands of the Twins, allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Kopech escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and fired a scoreless second, but it was all downhill from there. The 26-year-old went on to permit long balls in each of the next three frames and was stung with a season-high six earned runs while issuing four walks for the fourth time this season. Kopech has now lost four straight starts, though his season line still features an above average 3.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 72.2 innings. He'll look to get back on track this weekend as he's set to oppose Detroit.

Heaney (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Heaney landed on the injured list June 24 with left shoulder inflammation and was briefly shut down from throwing, but he's now back on the mound and progressing toward his return. The left-hander will need at least one more bullpen session before advancing to face hitters, which will be the final hurdle before beginning a rehab assignment. Given the timing required for those steps in his rehab program, Heaney shouldn't be expected to return from the injured list prior to the All-Star break, which begins July 17.

Quantrill (4-5) gave up six runs -- three of them earned -- on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss in an 11-4 defeat to the Tigers on Tuesday.

Quantrill had his shortest start of the season, lasting only four innings due to a couple of costly errors made behind him which exacerbated his lack of control. The bulk of the damage came in the second inning when Quantrill hit Jonathan Schoop and walked two batters in the inning. The 27-year-old right-hander now has a 55:27 K:BB in 88.2 innings pitched on the season. Look for him to make his next start early next week against the White Sox.

Garcia (7-5) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings, earning the win Tuesday over the Royals.

Garcia yielded a pair of home runs in the contest, making this the fourth time he's allowed multiple homers in a start this year. The five runs against also matched a season high. Despite the shaky pitching, he threw only 88 pitches (61 strikes), making this a fairly efficient start compared to the 101 pitches he threw in 5.1 innings versus the Yankees last week. Garcia saw his ERA tick up to 3.81 with a 1.09 WHIP and 87:22 K:BB across 82.2 innings overall. He's projected for a road start versus the Angels next week, which may be his final start of the first half if the Astros stick with a six-man rotation.

Alexander (2-1) took the loss during Tuesday's 8-3 defeat at the hands of the Cubs, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Alexander kept Chicago off the board through three innings but surrendered one run in the fourth and three apiece in the fifth and sixth to fall in line for the loss. The 29-year-old tossed 60 of 94 pitches for strikes, but only two were of the swinging variety. Alexander should stick in the rotation while Adrian Houser (elbow) is sidelined.