MLB Player News

Ashcraft (4-1) earned the win during Friday's 4-2 victory over San Francisco, allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings.

Coming off two subpar starts, Ashcraft regained his previous form with the best outing of his short career. The 24-year-old was staked to an early lead and cruised through seven easy frames while recording an impressive eight strikeouts despite averaging just 3.2 per start through his first six turns. Manager David Bell opted to stick with Ashcraft for the eighth and the young righty showed poise by inducing a double play and permitting just one run after putting two runners on with none out. He now sports a 3.27 ERA and 1.09 WHIP and is projected to pitch again midweek against the Cubs.

Flexen (3-8) earned the win Friday versus the Angels. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in five-plus innings.

Flexen allowed a solo shot and an RBI triple to Mike Trout, and Ryan Borucki allowed an inherited runner to score in the sixth inning. This was Flexen's first win in five starts in June despite him not allowing more than three runs in any of those games. He's still not pitching deep into games, as he's completed six innings only five times in 14 starts. The right-hander has a 4.31 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 55:27 K:BB across 77.1 innings. He's lined up for a favorable home start versus the Orioles next week.

Nola (4-5) took the loss during Friday's 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Padres, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

Nola and MacKenzie Gore engaged in a pitcher's duel and Nola was the first to break when he surrendered an Austin Nola RBI single in the sixth that proved to be the difference. The 29-year-old tossed 70 of 98 pitches for strikes with a whopping 18 of the swinging variety in matching a season best with 10 strikeouts. It seemed Nola had put the poor luck behind him as Philadelphia reigned in each of his last five starts; however, Nola has permitted just one run in 15 innings over his last two turns and doesn't have a win to show for it. He's slated to take the mound next against Atlanta midweek.

Gore didn't factor into the decision during Friday's 1-0 victory over Philadelphia, allowing three hits and four walks with four strikeouts in five scoreless innings.

Gore started strong by retiring the first six Phillies but was lucky to strand all seven batters he put on in the third through fifth innings. The scoreless outing is the 23-year-old's fifth in 15 starts, though he's now walked at least three batters in each of his last five turns after totaling 11 in his first 10. Gore owns a solid 3.34 ERA and 1.33 WHIP and will be tested with a road start against the Dodgers scheduled for next weekend.

Verlander (9-3) earned the win Friday after holding the Yankees to one run on four hits over seven innings. He had three strikeouts and one walk.

The veteran right-hander tied his season low with only three strikeouts, but he kept New York off the board besides a solo home run from Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth. Verlander now has only 11 strikeouts across his past three starts, though he still has two wins and a 2.55 ERA in those outings. He tentatively lines up for a rematch with the Yankees at home on Thursday.

Kelly (6-5) took the loss during Friday's 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Tigers, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in six innings.

Kelly pitched well aside from the third inning, when he put the first three batters on followed by a Javier Baez grand slam to fall in line for the loss. The 33-year-old fired 68 of 99 pitches for strikes and has now walked no more than two batters in 11 of 15 turns. Kelly currently sports a 3.64 ERA and 1.30 WHIP and is in line sup to start again next week in Colorado.

Houser (4-8) allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk with three strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Blue Jays.

It's the fifth time in his last six starts that Houser's allowed at least three runs. The Blue Jays did all their damage against him in the second inning, with a three-run Matt Chapman double accounting for most of it. Houser saw his ERA rise to 4.50 with a 1.45 WHIP and 57:30 K:BB across 74 innings in 14 starts. The right-hander's had a rather mediocre season so far, but he may have some streaming appeal in next week's projected road start versus the Pirates.

Manoah (9-2) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings, earning the win Friday over the Brewers.

Manoah allowed a run on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning and gave up a solo home run to Tyrone Taylor in the seventh. The Blue Jays' offense was more than capable of covering that damage, allowing Manoah to earn his fourth win in his last five starts. It was also his 12th quality start in 14 outings this season, as the 24-year-old right-hander continues to pitch like an ace. He has a 2.05 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 79:18 K:BB while allowing just six homers in 87.2 innings this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Red Sox next week, though it's unclear if the Blue Jays will stay on rotation with an eight-game week ahead or if they'll call upon a spot starter early in the week. If Manoah gets pushed back a day, he'd face the Rays.

Quantrill allowed two runs on five hits and two walks across five innings during Friday's 6-3 loss to Boston.

Quantrill struggled with his command and threw only 55 of his 89 pitches for strikes, but he still delivered a solid line in the no-decision. He served up a solo home run to Rafael Devers during the third inning, and it's the fourth straight start the right-hander has surrendered a long ball. Quantrill will carry a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 48:25 K:BB over 76.2 frames into his next start, which currently lines up for Wednesday versus the Twins.

Hendricks (3-6) allowed just five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 7.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Cardinals.

This was the third time this year Hendricks has completed at least seven innings without allowing a run. He was able to make Nico Hoerner's two-run home run in the second inning stand as all the Cubs needed in the victory. Hendricks still has a lackluster 4.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 55:21 K:BB through 75.1 innings in 14 starts. The 32-year-old hasn't been able to sustain success over more than a couple of outings at a time, but he's in line for a decent home matchup next week versus the Reds.