MLB Player News

Lugo (7-9) took the loss Thursday against Houston, striking out five while allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in five innings.

Lugo was burned badly by the long ball Thursday, serving up a whopping four homers on the evening. The veteran right-hander hasn't been particularly effective of late, giving up at least three runs in seven of his last nine starts while tossing at least six innings just twice during that span. He'll carry a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 131:54 K:BB over 169 innings into his next scheduled outing against the White Sox, which is likely to be his last of the campaign.

Pecko didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, striking out four while allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He picked up his first hold of the season.

Working in long relief for the Astros on Thursday, Pecko delivered a strong performance out of the bullpen. The rookie right-hander has been a serviceable addition to the Houston pitching staff since being promoted to the major leagues in mid-August, giving up one run while working at least 4.1 innings in three consecutive outings. He should have some streaming appeal in fantasy leagues still in play for next week's scheduled appearance at pitcher-friendly Seattle, where he'll bring a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 28.2 innings.

King (12-9) tallied the win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.

King bookended his outing in shaky fashion, yielding one run in his first and final innings of work, but it was a strong start overall. The right-hander has been a model of consistency for both the Padres and fantasy managers alike, reeling off eight consecutive quality starts and 12 in his last 14 outings. He's set to bring a workmanlike 3.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 154:68 K:BB over 181 innings into his next and likely final appearance of the regular season against the Dodgers.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Thursday that Castillo has been moved to the bullpen, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Since being acquired from the Mariners on Aug. 2, Castillo hasn't provided the boost to the rotation that the White Sox had anticipated. Over his seven appearances (six starts) with Chicago, Castillo has labored to a 1-2 record, 7.76 ERA and 1.79 WHIP. In light of his struggles, the veteran right-hander looks like he could be limited to a low-leverage role out of the bullpen the rest of the way. Castillo had been lined up to start Friday versus the Tigers, but rookie David Sandlin is now on track to take over Castillo's spot in the rotation.

Springs (4-14) took the loss Thursday against the Rays, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

Things started off well for Springs, who held Tampa Bay scoreless through three innings. The fourth frame was a different story, however, as the left-hander gave up six runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batter while recording just one out. Coming into the day, Springs had allowed only two runs over 12 innings across his prior two outings. His ERA now sits at 6.18 across 28 starts (138.1 innings) this season with a 1.47 WHIP and 109:56 K:BB. He's currently in line to face the Angels at home his next time out.

Rasmussen (15-5) earned the win Thursday over the A's, allowing four hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

It was another strong outing from Rasmussen, who's given up just five runs over 31 innings in his last five starts. The right-hander's ERA is down to 2.72 across 29 starts (165.1 innings) this season with a 0.93 WHIP and 163:29 K:BB. Rasmussen currently lines up to face the Yankees on the road his next time out.

Harrison (10-5) took the loss Thursday against the Pirates, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out two.

Harrison's struggles continued in his return to the Brewers' rotation. After turning in a scoreless first inning, the southpaw imploded in the second as Pittsburgh put up a five spot. Harrison has now given up a staggering 21 earned runs across just nine frames in his last four appearances. His ERA is up to 4.25 through 112.1 innings this season with a 1.34 WHIP and 136:35 K:BB. Given his difficulties Thursday, Harrison figures to return to Milwaukee's bullpen down the stretch and may not be guaranteed a place on the postseason roster.

Singer (6-15) took the loss Thursday against the Dodgers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He didn't record a strikeout.

The Dodgers got to Singer quickly Thursday, scoring two runs in both of the first two innings before the right-hander was charged for three more runs in the fourth. It's been a rough finish to the season for Singer -- he's now given up 25 earned runs across just 16.2 frames in his last four starts. His ERA is up to 5.67 through 30 starts (154 innings) this season with a 1.56 WHIP and 125:60 K:BB. Singer will look to turn things around his next time out, tentatively scheduled to come on the road in Atlanta next week.

The Nationals activated Gray (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Gray has not pitched in the big leagues since April 2024, as he was initially rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and more recently, a flexor strain. The righty was unscored upon in his final eight rehab appearances, though he struck out only four batters in 8.1 frames over that stretch. Gray could eventually get another opportunity in the Nationals' rotation, but he'll be deployed as a reliever down the stretch of this season.

Povich will rejoin the Orioles this weekend and is likely to make a start against the Brewers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Povich had been slated to start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, but he was scratched from that scheduled outing and could take the ball for the Orioles as soon as Friday. The left-hander has logged a 4.05 ERA and 25:13 K:BB over 33.1 frames covering six starts and one relief outing with the big club this season. With Kyle Bradish (sports hernia) done for the season, Povich could make an additional start next week.