MLB Player News

Kirby allowed two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Wednesday.

Kirby's five walks were a season high, and it underscores his step back in the command department this season. The right-hander has issued 44 walks this year, already 15 more than in any other campaign of his career, though his 2.3 BB/9 is still pretty good in the general context of the majors. The walk rate has been creeping up lately -- he's issued 19 free passes over 49.2 frames since the start of August. Through 169.2 innings this season, Kirby has a 4.24 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 143 strikeouts. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Astros.

Kelly (9-14) allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Marlins on Wednesday.

Kelly gave up a pair of runs in both of the second and third innings. He exited at 91 pitches (61 strikes) while falling short of the five-inning mark for the second start in a row. The veteran right-hander is now at a 5.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 111:69 K:BB through 28 starts this season. This was his 200th career start in the majors. Kelly is projected to make a start in Colorado next week, which may be his last of the campaign.

Alcantara walked one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

With the Marlins still technically holding onto thin playoff hopes, Alcantara stepped up just two days after his most recent start to close out this game. The Marlins are without Pete Fairbanks (hand) for the rest of the year, but Alcantara is not expected to move to the bullpen on a full-time basis. This was Alcantara's first relief appearance since he began his career with eight games out of the Cardinals' bullpen in 2017. The workhorse starter has a 3.84 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 149:58 K:BB through 206 innings over 33 games (32 starts) this year. Assuming Wednesday's appearance functioned as a between-starts bullpen session, Alcantara is lined up to pitch over the weekend in San Diego.

Gusto allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Both runs against came on solo shots -- Pavin Smith had one in the second inning and Gabriel Moreno went deep in the fifth. Gusto has allowed nine runs over 15 innings across his three outings in September. The right-hander is at a 4.14 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 69:26 K:BB through 82.2 innings over 22 games (17 starts) this year. Gusto is currently projected to make one more start this season on the road against the Cubs.

Adams (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over 4.1 innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Wednesday.

Adams was under the five-inning mark for the third time in five starts in the majors, and this was his worst outing yet. While he gave up just two extra-base hits, the Padres were able to pick him apart, racking up at least one run in four of the five innings Adams pitched in. Through 23 innings, he has a 5.09 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB as well as six home runs allowed. Adams is projected to make his next start at home versus the Diamondbacks.

Ray (13-8) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Wednesday.

After giving up five runs in back-to-back starts to begin September, Ray responded with his 13th quality start of the season Wednesday, though he was trending even better before giving up a two-run home run to Kyle Karros in the sixth inning. The southpaw has a 3.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 138:83 K:BB across 162.1 innings over 30 games (29 starts) on the year. Ray is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Dodgers.

Javier (2-6) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Royals on Wednesday.

Javier dealt with a lot of traffic on the basepaths, but all the damage against him came via a John Rave two-run homer in the fourth inning. This start continued a strong September for Javier, who has a 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings through three starts this month. A matchup with the Mariners in Seattle is likely up next for the right-hander.

Manager Skip Schumaker said after Wednesday's game against the Red Sox that Gore is dealing with spasms in his back/shoulder, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gore gave up three earned runs over four innings on just 69 pitches during his start Wednesday, and his spasms help to explain why his outing was cut short. It's unclear whether the left-hander will be able to make his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Mets -- but the Rangers will likely have a better idea of his availability after monitoring him for a few days.

Bennett took a no-decision Wednesday against Texas, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Bennett kept the ball in the park after serving up five homers in his prior two starts, but he was instead tagged for a trio of doubles Wednesday. The rookie southpaw is showing signs of fatigue late in the season, surrendering at least three runs in all but one of his last 10 outings. He'll take a 3.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 90:20 K:BB over 109.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance against Cleveland, which will be a key matchup in the American League playoff race.

Gore took a no-decision Wednesday against Boston, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks in four innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

The Red Sox were hardly fooled by Gore on Wednesday, as the hurler induced a mere two whiffs on the evening. The southpaw appears to be losing his effectiveness quite a bit down the stretch, fanning four or fewer in five consecutive starts while yielding at least three runs in three straight abbreviated outings. He'll look to right the ship when he carries a 4.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 172:69 K:BB over 165.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Mets.