MLB Player News

Buehler allowed three runs on nine hits and three walks over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against Houston on Saturday. He didn't notch any strikeouts.

Given the constant traffic allowed by Buehler, he fared relatively well in allowing just three runs. The right-hander didn't toss any clean innings and had multiple batters reach base against him in all but one of the frames in which he pitched, but only one of the Astros' nine knocks against him -- a first-inning, two-run homer by Christian Walker -- went for extra bases. Buehler was helped by two double plays, but he didn't strike out any batters and got just six whiffs among his 84 pitches (54 strikes). He showed a bit of promise in July when he posted a 3.57 ERA over four starts, but his 12:9 K:BB across 22.2 innings during that month was far from promising, and he still sits at an ugly 5.74 ERA on the season after Saturday's outing.

Burns' start against Atlanta on Saturday has been suspended due to inclement weather, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Burns tossed one perfect inning before the suspension, striking out two batters.

After a rain delay lasting well over an hour, Burns took the mound in the first inning and mowed down Atlanta in order on 18 pitches. That will likely end up being the extent of his outing, as the contest has been suspended. Though the matchup will resume Sunday afternoon, Burns is unlikely to retake the mound.

Castillo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings loss to the Rangers, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Castillo allowed both of his runs in the third inning and failed to complete five frames for just the second time in 23 starts, throwing only 51 of 87 pitches for strikes. Still, the veteran has now surrendered three earned runs or fewer in seven straight outings, a stretch that includes four wins and four quality starts. He'll take a 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 115:37 K:BB across 131.1 innings into a home matchup with the Rays next weekend.

Kelly did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Kelly cruised through five scoreless frames but faltered in the sixth, allowing two runs and departing an out shy of a quality start at just 69 pitches. The 36-year-old threw 48 strikes with an impressive 15 whiffs, and he's now yielded three earned runs or fewer in eight straight outings. He'll carry a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 127:38 K:BB across 134.1 innings into a home matchup with the Phillies next weekend.

Wheeler (9-5) took the loss against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts over six innings.

Wheeler generated 15 whiffs on 98 pitches and turned in a quality start, but he was burned by three home runs and ultimately outdueled by Tarik Skubal. The 35-year-old has now dropped back-to-back starts for the first time this season and has allowed four runs in three of his past four outings, though one was unearned Saturday. He still boasts a stellar 2.64 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while leading all qualified starters with 182 strikeouts across 139.2 innings. Wheeler is slated to face the Rangers on the road next weekend.

Skubal (11-3) earned the win against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.

Skubal outdueled fellow ace Zack Wheeler, spinning six scoreless frames before allowing three runs in the seventh. He generated 20 whiffs on 98 pitches and has now notched double-digit strikeouts eight times this season. The southpaw leads all qualified starters with a 0.83 WHIP and paces the American League with a 2.18 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 140.2 innings. He lines up to face the Angels at home next weekend.

Strider has been scratched from his start in Saturday's matchup with the Cincinnati at the MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn. due to the game being delayed over an hour by inclement weather, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Strider had already completed most or all of his warmup before the delay was announced, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, so Atlanta is opting to go to a bullpen game rather than risking an injury to the star hurler. Atlanta is off Sunday, so Strider's next start likely won't come until at least Monday against Milwaukee. It's not yet clear which reliever will start Saturday for Atlanta if the game takes place.

Musgrove (elbow) threw 20 pitches (all fastballs) in a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove had previously thrown off a mound, but that consisted simply of tossing to a standing catcher. Sanders deemed Musgrove's activity Saturday as his "first official bullpen session" since the veteran hurler underwent Tommy John surgery last October. Musgrove is scheduled to throw a bullpen every Tuesday and Saturday moving forward, and he could begin introducing his secondary pitches after about eight sessions. Musgrove stated Saturday that his goal is to get into at least one minor-league rehab game before the end of the campaign, saying, "I want one inning ... I don't care if it's one hitter. I just want to be able to say I contributed in some aspect on the field." Triple-A El Paso -- the Padres' affiliate that goes the longest -- ends its regular season Sept. 21, so for Musgrove to accomplish his goal he may need to be allowed to pitch in a minor-league playoff game (if El Paso qualifies) or settle for an appearance in the fall instructional league in Arizona.

Ober (hip) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision Saturday versus the Guardians.

Ober missed a month due to a left hip impingement. He had only stretched back out to 65 pitches during his rehab assignment, but he was able to throw 91 pitches (62 strikes) Saturday, so he should have no further workload restrictions as long as he feels good between starts. The next goal for the right-hander will be putting a strong finish on what's been a difficult campaign -- he's pitched to a 5.38 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 78:23 K:BB through 97 innings across 18 starts. Home runs have been the big issue; after allowing two of them against Cleveland, he's yielded 23 long balls on the year, four off his career-high 27 across 178.2 innings last year. Ober is projected to make his next start at home versus the Royals.

Scherzer (2-1) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-2 victory over the Royals, allowing one run on five hits over six innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 41-year-old right-hander produced his third quality start in his last four trips to the mound on 84 pitches (57 strikes), and Scherzer was shutting out Kansas City until Salvador Perez took him deep in the sixth inning. Scherzer continues to have trouble keeping the ball in the yard -- he's served up nine homers in 41 innings on the season -- but he's doing a better job of late of keeping the bases empty for them, posting a 4.13 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 28:2 K:BB in 24 innings over that four-start stretch. He'll look to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Dodgers.