MLB Player News

Verlander (elbow) will not pitch this season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Astros general manager James Click closed the window on Verlander's potential return this season during a radio interview Wednesday. Verlander had Tommy John elbow surgery Sept. 30, 2020, so the 38-year-old's ability to pitch in 2021 wasn't feasible given the injury's typical 12-to-14 month recovery period. He'll now enter the offseason as a free agent and will be 39 by the time spring training opens in February. Verlander said he wants to pitch into his 40s and was a Cy Young winner in 2019 and runner-up in 2018.

Woodruff (8-7) earned the win over the Reds on Wednesday after throwing six shutout innings while allowing just four hits and striking out 10.

Woodruff rebounded extremely well from arguably his worst start of the season with one of his more effective outings of the year Wednesday. The 28-year-old was blistered by the Cardinals for six runs over five innings last week but the closest the Reds came to scoring against him was in the opening inning after a hit batter and a single put two runners on with nobody out. Woodruff had his stuff working really well, as he induced 18 whiffs and struck out 10 hitters for the first time since May 30. He now owns a 2.38 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 177:37 K:BB over 151.1 innings and tentatively lines up for a meeting against the Giants next week in a battle between two of the best clubs in baseball.

Cabrera didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out two.

Making his big-league debut, Cabrera wasn't dominant but he blanked the Nats over six innings before running out of steam and serving up two homers in the seventh. He tossed 50 of his 78 pitches for strikes, and the 23-year-old likely did enough to earn at least one more turn through the rotation until Pablo Lopez (shoulder) and Trevor Rogers (personal) are able to return to action.

Gray didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Marlins, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was sharp through 91 pitches (62 strikes), but Gray exited the game on the hook for his second loss of the year until the Nats did all their scoring in the top of the seventh inning. He's reeled off three straight quality starts, and the 23-year-old has a 2.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB through 28 innings since being traded east from the Dodgers.

Walker (7-9) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk over six-plus innings as the Mets fell 3-2 to the Giants. He struck out three.

The right-hander was nursing a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning, but Kris Bryant reached on a Jonathan Villar error to open the frame followed by an Alex Dickerson single. Walker then got the hook after 74 pitches (44 strikes) and had to watch as Aaron Loup served up a game-winning double to Brandon Crawford. Walker hasn't won a game since July 3, but not for lack of trying as he has three quality starts in his last four outings. On the season, he carries a 3.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 117:46 K:BB through 129.2 innings.

Cueto didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Mets, allowing one unearned run on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

The veteran right-hander last pitched Aug. 8 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, and while he wasn't particularly sharp in his return, Cueto benefitted from the Giants turning five double plays on the night to help erase his baserunners. He'll take a 3.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 94:27 K:BB through 108.2 innings into his next start.

Davies pitched 4.2 innings against Colorado in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander threw 47 of 72 pitches for strikes but was pulled with two outs in the fifth inning. He hasn't earned a win since July 23, going 0-4 with two no-decisions over his past six starts. Over that span, he has posted a troublesome 7.53 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Davies will try to find his way back into the win column when he next takes the mound, which is likely to be next week at Minnesota.

Gomber (9-8) took the loss against the Cubs in Game 1of Wednesday's doubleheader, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight.

The southpaw served up three homers in the contest, accounting for all five runs scored against him. Gomber has struggled over his past three outings, giving up 13 earned runs across 13.2 frames. On the plus side, he struck out eight batters Wednesday, tied for his second-highest single-game mark in 2021. Gomber will carry a 4.38 ERA into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come at Texas early next week.

McCullers did not factor in the decision against Kansas City on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.

McCullers limited the Royals to one run through six innings but got into trouble in the seventh. After the right-handed hurler loaded the bases on a single and back-to-back walks with two outs, Cristian Javier came on and served up a grand slam to Whit Merrifield, with three of the runs charged to McCullers. The 27-year-old tied a season high with four walks in the contest and departed after throwing 107 pitches. He's expected to make his next start at Seattle early next week.

Castillo (7-13) allowed two runs over 6.1 innings Wednesday night against the Brewers, striking out six while giving up four hits and two walks. Alas, opposing pitcher Brandon Woodruff was better, shutting the Reds out over six innings.

Once again, Castillo was firing on all cylinders, hitting 99 mph on his fastball and getting results with his changeup, which he threw 37 times, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Castillo is projected to start next against the Cardinals at home.