MLB Player News

Javier was credited with the save Thursday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless inning.

Javier entered the game with a three-run cushion after the Astros scored three runs in the top of the 10th, and he didn't have problems retiring the side in order even if he didn't record a single strikeout. The right-hander has given up runs in three of his last six outings, however, and he's been lacking a bit of consistency of late. Still, he owns a 1.98 ERA -- although with a 1.54 WHIP and a 5.9 BB/9 -- through 13.2 innings since the All-Star break.

Garcia didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals after allowing three runs on four hits and a walk across five innings, fanning three.

Garcia had won each of his previous two outings, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision in what was a very flat performance. The right-hander has given up three or fewer runs in each of his last three appearances and seems to have bounced back following a couple of rough starts in late July and early August. He owns a 2.81 ERA across those last three appearances.

Quintana surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out one batter across 1.1 innings against the Tigers on Thursday. He did not factor into the decision.

Making his first start since May 30th, Quintana failed to silence Detroit's bats and was lifted early following his 29th pitch. After struggling through his first nine starts of the year, the southpaw spent three weeks on the injured list and moved to the bullpen once he returned in June. Quintana was given the opportunity to rejoin the rotation with Patrick Sandoval (back) on the shelf. In 10 starts this season, Quintana has put together an 8.23 ERA and 2.06 WHIP while posting a 3.86 ERA in 13 relief outings.

Kopech (3-2) allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over one inning of relief to take the loss Thursday against Oakland.

Kopech entered a tie game to begin the seventh inning and nearly got out of it, but a shaky decision by first baseman Andrew Vaughn extended the frame and led to a two-out, two-run home run by Matt Olson -- Vaughn ranged far to his right for a grounder to begin the frame, then threw wildly from his knees to Kopech covering first base on a play that was ruled a hit. The right-hander then got the next two batters out before Olson's dinger. Kopech remains a trusted bullpen arm that's posted a 2.74 ERA with 68 strikeouts over 49.1 innings.

Wheeler (10-8) was tagged with the loss Thursday against Arizona after allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk across 6.2 innings, striking out seven.

Wheeler pitched a complete game against the Mets earlier this month, but his recent performances have left a lot to be desired with Thursday's outing not being any different. He has allowed at least four runs in three of his last four appearances and has posted a 4.34 ERA across 29 innings in that span.

Castillo (7-12) allowed one earned run on eight hits and one walk while striking out seven across seven innings Thursday, earning the win over the Marlins.

Castillo's one run against him came in the fourth inning on a Jorge Alfaro single. He allowed just one extra-base hit through seven innings. Over his last seven outings, six have been quality starts. He carries a 4.35 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 145 strikeouts in 144.2 innings. His next start is projected to come Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Walker (7-8) took the loss in Thursday's 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings.

Walker kept the Dodgers in the park but was tagged for two runs in both the second and fifth innings, and the Mets offense failed to provide any worthwhile run support. The veteran righty has a covered at least six frames in each of his past three starts and has a 3.86 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 18.2 innings during that stretch. He tentatively lines up for another tough matchup with the Giants next week.

Woodruff (7-7) took the loss in Thursday's 8-4 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts across five innings.

Woodruff was solid through the first four innings, allowing a single run, but fell apart in the fifth, permitting five runs on five hits to put Milwaukee in a 6-4 hole. The start was Woodruff's first allowing more than five runs in 24 turns, and he now possesses a 2.48 ERA, which is still top five in MLB, a 0.94 WHIP and 167:37 K:BB.

Flexen allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out five across seven innings Thursday against the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Flexen held the Rangers' lineup in check throughout the start, as the lone extra-base hit he surrendered was a solo home run by Adolis Garcia. Otherwise, he pitched efficiently and completed seven innings for the first time in his last five outings. He exited the game with a 6-2 lead, though that margin was squandered by the Mariners' bullpen, ultimately costing Flexen a win. Following this effort, the right-hander has a 3.65 ERA with 90 strikeouts across 133.1 innings on the campaign.

Kim (elbow) allowed two earned runs on a pair of solo home runs across two innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Memphis against Nashville on Thursday. He struck out two.

Kim threw 34 pitches overall, 22 of which found the strike zone. The left-hander's troubles with the long ball aside, it appears his recovering elbow held up well under a solid workload. Kim is likely due for at least another pair of rehab outings before activation is deemed appropriate, although he could return to the big-league club before he's fully built back up to a starter's workload.