MLB Player News

Liberatore came away with a no-decision in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Reds, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw served up two home runs, including a solo shot by Spencer Steer in the top of the sixth inning that helped chase Liberatore from the game. He's been taken deep at least once in five straight starts, and since the beginning of July he's stumbled to a 2.1 HR/9, helping to fuel a 5.77 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 26:17 K:BB in 39 innings over that stretch. Liberatore will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the A's.

Marquez (3-12) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Marquez was far from sharp in his first major-league start since July 20, surrendering at least five runs for the eighth time this season. It was the veteran right-hander's first outing this year with zero strikeouts, and he's now walked at least three in four of his past five appearances dating back to June 29. Marquez has a miserable 5.87 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 73:38 K:BB across 102.2 innings, so he won't be a recommended streaming option at hitter-friendly Coors Field against the division-rival Giants next week.

Horton (9-4) picked up the win Friday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four.

Horton pitched at least five innings for the seventh time in his last eight starts, though the six hits allowed were his most since July 9 in Minnesota. The rookie right-hander has been dealing since the All-Star break, producing a shiny 0.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 38:13 K:BB across his last 50 frames. Horton will be trying to keep the good times rolling at home against Atlanta in his next scheduled appearance.

Matthews (4-4) picked up the win Friday against the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out three.

It was Matthews' first start of at least six innings since July 25 against the Nationals, although he fanned a season-low three Friday. The 25-year-old right-hander has 70 strikeouts over 58.2 innings, but his rough 5.06 ERA and 1.48 WHIP make him a candidate to move out of the Minnesota rotation once Pablo Lopez (shoulder) comes off his rehab assignment. Matthews should get at least one more turn in the rotation, which lines up for a favorable home matchup against the last-place White Sox next week.

Cortes (2-3) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in three-plus innings. He struck out two.

It's possible Cortes would have worked deeper into the outing, but he was ejected in the middle of the fourth inning, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. It was still a poor showing by the 30-year-old left-hander, who tied a season low in punchouts and issued multiple free passes for the fifth time in seven starts in 2025. Cortes has an uninspiring 5.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB over 32 frames, though he should carry some upside in mixed leagues next week against an Orioles team with a .674 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of August.

Lugo (8-7) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out five.

Lugo's struggles during the second half of the season continued, as he's now given up at least four runs in five of his last nine starts. The veteran right-hander has also been unable to throw at least five innings on five occasions since the All-Star break, and he has a ghastly 7.51 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB over his last 44.1 frames during that period. Lugo has also issued multiple walks in all but one of his last nine outings, so he'll have plenty to clean up next week at home against the Angels.

Paddack took a no-decision Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in 3.2 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Paddack was pulled after tossing just 58 pitches, his second-fewest total of the season, and it was his shortest outing since way back on March 31 against the White Sox. Although it was also the second time this year that the 29-year-old right-hander registered zero punchouts, he at least managed to settle down after Kansas City tagged him for three runs in the first frame. Paddack has an underwhelming 5.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 30 innings since joining the Tigers, and his streaming appeal will be limited with a tough matchup against the Mets on tap for next week.

Kremer (9-10) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out one over three innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Friday.

Kremer had a terrible first inning for the second outing in a row, as the Giants were able to get to him for four runs in the opening frame. He wasn't able to settle in, giving up two more runs in the second and another run in the third before his exit. Kremer showed promise with a pair of strong starts in mid-August, but he's allowed 14 runs (13 earned) in eight innings over his last two starts to wash out that progress. For the season, he has a 4.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 128:40 K:BB through 155.1 innings over 27 appearances (26 starts). Kremer is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Dodgers as the Orioles move to a six-man rotation with the return of Tyler Wells (elbow).

Ray allowed six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Friday.

Ray had some trouble with Ryan Mountcastle, who drove in four of the six runs on the southpaw's line. However, the Giants' offense was even better, helping Ray to avoid the loss. The 33-year-old had a mediocre August, allowing 19 runs (16 earned) over 35 innings across six starts for the month. On the year, he's at a 3.18 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 163:64 K:BB through 164 innings over 28 starts. His next outing is projected to be in Colorado.

Gallen (10-13) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out eight over six shutout innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.

Gallen has steadied his season with a strong August -- this was his fifth quality start in six outings for the month. It was just the second scoreless outing of the season for Gallen, who also ended a three-game winless stretch with the effort. A big part of his recent success has come from limiting home runs -- he's given up just three long balls over his last seven starts, spanning 41 innings. On the year, he's now at a 4.94 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 149:56 K:BB through 162 innings across 28 starts. The right-hander is projected for a home matchup versus the Rangers next week.