MLB Player News

Imai (3-3) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over five innings in a win over the Athletics on Saturday.

Houston scored six runs in the first two innings, allowing Imai to go on cruise control. The right-hander gave up a pair of runs in the third frame but didn't allow the A's to get any closer. Imai racked up an impressive 17 swinging strikes and fell one short of his season-high mark with eight punchouts, though he was pulled after five innings and 92 pitches. That snapped a streak of two straight quality starts, but Imai nonetheless continued to turn things around after a rough beginning to his MLB career. He had an 8.31 ERA through his first five starts spanning 17.1 innings, but he's gone 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA across 17 frames over his subsequent three starts.

Littell (6-4) notched the win Saturday against Arizona, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.

After limping to a 7.85 ERA through his first six outings, Littell has managed an impressive resurgence since the start of May. Over his last 35.2 innings (seven starts), the veteran right-hander has a 2.27 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB to lower his season ERA to 4.76 and his WHIP to 1.31. Littell will be aiming for his sixth consecutive win in his next scheduled start at home versus the Mariners.

Rodriguez (5-2) took the loss Saturday against Washington, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

Rodriguez bookended his outing poorly Saturday, giving up a pair of runs in both the opening frame and the seventh inning. The 33-year-old southpaw was hit very hard, surrendering four extra-base hits (two home runs), but he did manage to throw at least six frames for the sixth time in his last seven starts. Rodriguez is still enjoying a resurgent campaign in 2026 despite Saturday's hiccup, sporting a 2.52 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB across 78.2 innings.

Ashcraft (5-3) took the loss Saturday against Atlanta, allowing six runs on nine hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Ashcraft fired 61 of his 86 pitches for strikes Saturday, but he might've been too aggressive in pounding the zone. The 26-year-old right-hander was knocked around for a season-worst nine hits and tied a season high in runs allowed, though he was still able to pitch at least five innings for the 12th time in 13 starts this year. Ashcraft will bring a strong 3.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 86:17 K:BB over 79.2 frames into his next scheduled outing at home against the Marlins.

Strider (4-1) notched the win Saturday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Pittsburgh tagged Strider, who fanned a season-low three, for three doubles Saturday, plating three runs across the fourth and fifth frames. The 27-year-old right-hander has now given up three runs in five of his first seven starts this year, and he's also walked multiple batters in each outing. Strider will carry a middling 4.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 43:19 K:BB over 36 innings into his next scheduled outing in New York against the Mets.

Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Reds, giving up five runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The Cardinals grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but Liberatore promptly gave up back in the top of the third before getting tagged for two more runs the following frame, eventually getting lifted after 84 pitches (47 strikes). It's the fourth time in his last five trips to the mound that he's allowed at least three earned runs, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.18 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB through 24.1 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next weekend in Minnesota.

Lodolo didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Cardinals, giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw got tagged for three runs in the second inning and another in the fifth on a Jordan Walker solo shot, but Lodolo actually left the mound with the Reds nursing a 5-4 lead, only for the bullpen to blow it late. Lodolo has lasted at least five innings in five of six starts since making his season debut in early May due to blister issues, managing a 5.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 32.2 innings while serving up eight homers. He'll look to produce a sharper outing in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Ryan didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Royals, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander delivered his eighth quality start of the season on 102 pitches (66 strikes), but Ryan left the mound with the score tied 1-1. Five of those quality starts have come in his last six outings, a stretch in which he's delivered a 2.39 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 44:6 K:BB through 37.2 innings. He'll look for his fifth win of the year in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Detroit.

Montero (2-4) took the loss Saturday as the Tigers fell 4-0 to the Mariners, giving up four runs on six hits and and a walk over five innings. He struck out one.

Half the hits off the right-hander went for extra bases, including a solo homer by Dominic Canzone in the fourth inning. Montero has been tagged for four runs in three of his last five outings, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.13 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB in 26.1 innings. With Tarik Skubal (elbow), Justin Verlander (hip) and Casey Mize (thigh) all closing in on returns from the IL in the next couple weeks, Montero's time in the Detroit rotation could be coming to an end very soon.

Miller (2-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Tigers. He struck out nine.

No longer working in tandem with Luis Castillo, Miller completed six innings for the first time in five starts since coming off the IL while setting a season high in strikeouts. The right-hander has been outstanding since making his belated 2026 debut in mid-May, posting a 1.33 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB through 27 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Baltimore.