MLB Player News

Urias didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 5-3 win over the Angels, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings.

Urias pitched well aside from a rough third inning that saw him permit all three runs on three hits and an error. He departed down 3-2 but the Dodgers eventually rallied to get the 24-year-old off the hook for the loss. Urias has now gone at least five innings and allowed four runs or less in eight straight starts, lowering his ERA from 3.99 to 3.41 in the process.

Woodruff went six innings Saturday against the Giants, allowing one run on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.

Woodruff has now struck out at least eight batters three times in his last four outings. The only blemish on Woodruff's box score in this one was a solo home run by Brandon Belt in the fourth inning that squared the game at 1-1. Woodruff exited with a 2-1 lead but the Giants rallied to tie the game off Brent Suter in the ninth. The 28-year-old Woodruff boasts a 2.23 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with a 160:33 K:BB in 137.1 innings this season and is lined up for a road matchup against the Cubs in his next scheduled start.

Keller (7-11) allowed five earned runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out five across five innings, taking the loss to the Cardinals on Saturday.

Keller continued his struggles walking batters, with his BB/9 rising to 4.4. He surrendered a home run to Nolan Arenado in the fifth inning. The 25-year-old has a career-worst 5.79 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP in 116.2 innings. In addition, he has a mediocre 1.8 K/BB. He will get another chance to start against the Cardinals next weekend.

Morton did not factor in the decision against Washington on Saturday despite pitching six scoreless innings during which he gave up three hits and two walks while striking out seven.

The Nationals struggled to figure out Morton throughout his six frames, as they managed only three hits against him. When the right-hander got himself in trouble by allowing two walks and a single in the sixth, he responded by striking out the side to keep Washington off the scoreboard. The dominant outing put Morton in line for his 11th win of the season, but typically steady closer Will Smith couldn't shut the door in the ninth. Morton continues to perform well in his age-37 campaign, posting a 3.52 ERA and 148:44 K:BB across 128 innings. His next start will likely come in a rematch versus the Nationals next Friday.

Gray struck out 10 batters over five innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday. He surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks.

In the best outing of his young career, Gray induced 20 swinging strikes in just five frames and racked up a career-high 10 punchouts. He allowed a solo homer to Jorge Soler in the first inning but was otherwise difficult to score upon, with the only other run against him coming as a result of an error in the third frame. The right-hander has looked superb in his first two starts with Washington, allowing a total of two earned runs over a combined 10 innings. He's tentatively lined up to face the Braves again -- this time at home -- next Friday.

Keller (3-9) gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings in Saturday's loss to the Reds. He had four strikeouts.

Cincinnati got to Keller for three runs in the third inning and tacked on another with Nick Castellanos' solo home run in the fifth. Keller has yielded eight runs and 15 hits over 10 innings in his first two starts since returning from Triple-A Indianapolis, giving him an ugly 7.06 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 57.1 frames on the year. Opponents are hitting .305 off of Keller and he's issued 33 free passes.

Darvish didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 6-2 victory over Arizona, allowing two runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts in seven innings.

Darvish limited the damage to a Christian Walker second-inning two-run home run and scattered only two more hits across the other six innings in an excellent rebound outing. Though he didn't earn the win, this was Darvish's first quality start since June and the 12 strikeouts tie his season high. The veteran righty will look to build on the solid performance as he lines up to face the Snakes again next week.

Gutierrez (7-3) allowed one run on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six innings to get the win Saturday against the Pirates.

That's now five quality starts in the last six outings for Gutierrez, who held the Pirates to a Bryan Reynolds run-scoring triple in the third inning to earn his third straight win. The 25-year-old Gutierrez has done a better job of limiting traffic on the bases in recent starts, but his 4.39 ERA and 1.34 ERA -- not to mention peripherals like his 5.68 xFIP -- suggest he's still more of a matchup-dependent option for the time being. His next start is tentatively scheduled for next week at Atlanta.

Garcia (8-6) fired six scoreless innings on two hits while striking out eight, earning the win against the Twins on Saturday.

Garcia fired six scoreless innings for just the second time in a start this season. It was a solid comeback outing after allowing five earned runs in each of his last two appearances. The 24-year-old carries a 3.29 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. In addition, he supports a solid 10.9 K/9 in 106.2 innings. However, he will have to wait a while for his next start as the Astros have two days off next week.

Houck was returned to Triple-A Worcester following his start in Saturday's 2-1 win over Toronto, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. He didn't factor into the decision in the second game of the doubleheader, covering 3.2 innings and striking out six while giving up one run on three hits and two walks.

Since Boston designated Houck as it 27th man for the twin bill, he was removed from the active roster without a corresponding move. High pitch counts aside, Houck has undoubtedly been one of Boston's most effective starting pitchers since the All-Star break, so he'll likely be back with the big club at some point before the end of August to slot back into the rotation.