MLB Player News

Valdez (7-2) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings to pick up the win over the Giants on Friday.

Valdez appeared to have solved his command issues early in the game, setting down the first seven batters on 22 pitches, but the rest of the third inning became a grind. He walked the eighth batter, Thairo Estrada, after getting ahead 1-2, then issued a four-pitch walk to pitcher Kevin Gausman. Both scored to tie the game, and Valdez expended 36 pitches in the inning. The left-hander was gone after five frames and 89 pitches but earned his second straight win. Since July 1, Valdez has walked 24 batters in 33.1 innings. His next turn comes Thursday, the kickoff to a four-game set at home against the Twins.

Carrasco didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Jonathan India greeted Carrasco with a solo homer on the first pitch he threw, but after that it was fairly smooth sailing for the right-hander as he made his long-delayed Mets debut. He was removed after 58 pitches (35 strikes), not surprising given that he didn't throw more than three innings in any of his rehab starts, but it was a very encouraging beginning to his 2021 campaign. Expect Carrasco to get stretched out further in his next outing, making him at least a candidate to qualify for a win if he gets a little more run support.

Gray (3-6) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six innings in a 6-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out seven.

The right-hander celebrated not being dealt at the trade deadline by delivering his fifth quality start of the season and only his second since the beginning of June. Gray stumbled into the second half before rebounding Friday, coughing up 13 runs over eight innings in his first two starts after the All-Star break, and he'll carry a 4.26 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 96:29 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing.

Skubal (6-10) took the loss Friday as the Tigers fell 4-3 to the Orioles, giving up four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Things could have been worse for the lefty, as all three O's homers were solo shots, but keeping the ball in the yard has become a major problem for Skubal. He's served up eight homers in his last four starts, going 1-3 over that stretch with a 5.16 ERA despite a 1.06 WHIP. His upside remains intriguing, but he'll be a tough pitcher to rely on until he solves this issue.

Gallen allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Friday.

Gallen cruised through five innings before Chris Taylor led off the sixth with a home run. The Dodgers pushed home another run, and the right-hander was pulled after 100 pitches (64 strikes). It was Gallen's longest outing since May 7 -- he's dealt with elbow and hamstring in recent months. Gallen is expected to pitch next Wednesday at home against the Giants.

Stripling (4-6) picked up the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out one.

While he blanked Kansas City through four innings, Stripling started to give up some loud contact in the fifth and got the hook after 76 pitches (47 strikes) when Salvador Perez took him deep for a solo shot in the sixth. It was the right-hander's first win since June 27, but over his last 12 outings he sports a solid 3.73 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB through 60.1 innings.

Lynch (1-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings as the Royals were downed 6-4 by the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

While he was far from dominant, Lynch tossed 63 of 107 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start. The rookie southpaw still has a 6.95 ERA and 1.68 WHIP through his first 22 big-league innings, but he's beginning to flash the potential that makes him one of Kansas City's top pitching prospects.

Sandoval (3-5) took the loss against Oakland on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and six walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Considering the left-hander's wildness -- Sandoval's six walks were a season high -- he was fortunate to emerge from his outing having allowed only one run. He did a good job of limiting the damage against him by surrendering no extra-base hits and keeping Athletics hitters on their toes with 20 swinging strikes. Sandoval threw a season-high 115 pitches in the outing, and he continues to justify his spot in the Angels' rotation. He'll carry a 3.38 ERA into his next start, which is tentatively lined up to take place at Texas next Thursday.

Bassitt (11-3) earned the win over the Angels on Friday, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing six hits and one walk while striking out seven.

The right-hander faced little resistance from an Angels offense that managed only one extra-base hit against him. Bassitt threw 63 of 95 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 3.28 with the strong effort. He has tossed exactly seven innings in five of his past seven appearances, though he also has two clunkers in the span. Bassitt's next outing is likely to come at home against Texas next weekend.

Lynn allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings in Friday's win over Cleveland. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Most of the damage against Lynn came in the first inning via Franmil Reyes' two-run single. He later coughed up another RBI double to Jose Ramirez in the fifth. He had allowed one or fewer runs in each of his last five outings but he still hasn't taken a loss since June 19. The 34-year-old righty owns a terrific 2.07 ERA and 122:33 K:BB through 19 starts. Lynn is lined up to face the Royals at home next week.