MLB Player News

Kochanowicz did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs (none earned) on one hit and six walks over 4.2 innings in a 6-4 victory over the Rangers. He struck out three.

Kochanowicz had an eventful outing Monday in his first big-league start since July 10. While the Rangers had trouble squaring him up, they managed to reach base via walks and took advantage of a costly error by Gustavo Campero to plate two runs in the fifth inning. The walks are a concern, but holding Texas to no earned runs marked a positive step for Kochanowicz, who entered the game with a 7.51 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over his previous 10 starts spanning 44.1 innings.

Sears (7-9) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 4.1 innings.

While Sears kept the A's in the game, he couldn't provide much length, needing 96 pitches (58 strikes) to get through 4.1 frames. The lefty did miss plenty of bats, racking up 14 whiffs and six strikeouts, though he also tied a season high with three walks. Sears has perked up in the punchout department of late with at least six Ks in four of his past five starts, but he's also given up at least one long ball in four straight outings. On the season, he holds a 4.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 97:29 K:BB over 111 frames across 22 starts.

Castillo (8-6) earned the win over the Athletics on Monday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters over seven innings.

Castillo was more crafty than overpowering in the outing, as he notched just six whiffs and four punchouts. The veteran right-hander allowed only six baserunners (on five hits and one hit batsman), with the Athletics' lone run coming on a fielder's choice in the sixth frame. This was Castillo's 13th quality start of the campaign, tied for 11th-most in the majors. He's putting together another steadily reliable season, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 111:36 K:BB through 127 innings spanning 22 starts.

Montas tossed 4.1 innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Monday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

Montas and Padres starter Dylan Cease (head) engaged in a tight battle early, with each pitcher giving up just one run over the first four innings. The Mets got to Cease for four runs in the top of the fifth, but Montas couldn't hold the lead, giving all four runs (two of which scored following his departure) back in the bottom of the frame. The five runs were the second-most the veteran right-hander has given up through six outings this season. Montas looked to be shaking off rust from a late start to the season by giving up just three runs over 10.2 innings across his previous two starts, but his ERA now sits at an unappealing 5.46 on the campaign overall. His next start is scheduled to take place this weekend against San Francisco.

Cease is receiving a CT scan on his head after being hit on a bounce by a comebacker in the third inning of Monday's game against the Mets, Marty Caswell of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Cease ended up on the ground after a ball hit by Francisco Lindor bounced and then struck the hurler on the back of the head in the third frame. The right-hander was checked on by trainers but stayed in the game, and he struck out the next two batters he faced. Cease ultimately departed the contest after 4.2 innings, but his departure seemed to be a result of the grand slam he gave up to the final batter he faced rather than a consequence of the hit to the head. Nonetheless, Cease is getting a CT scan to check for any issues, and the results of the testing should provide insight about whether he's in danger of missing his next start.

Cease allowed five runs on five hits and five walks with nine strikeouts over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Monday.

As usual, Cease looked dominant at times, racking up 13 whiffs and nine punchouts despite completing less than five innings. However, the righty couldn't sustain a strong opening four frames -- he loaded the bases in the fifth and then gave up a two-out grand slam to Mark Vientos. This was the third time in Cease's past five starts that he's surrendered four or more earned runs, and his ERA sits at a below-average 4.79 on the season. He ranks fourth in the majors with 153 strikeouts but has also posted a 3.57 BB/9, seventh-highest among qualified pitchers.

Keller allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three batters over two innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Monday.

It was a slog from the start for Keller, who allowed three baserunners and one run in the first inning. The Giants tagged him for two more runs in the second, though Keller at least managed to avoid a disastrous frame by striking out two batters with the bases loaded. However, the right-hander finished that inning at 73 pitches -- just 42 of which were strikes -- and didn't return for the third. This was Keller's shortest outing of the campaign and the first time in 20 starts that he's failed to complete five frames. Pittsburgh was able to pull out the win, however, so Keller remains without a loss on his record since June 21.

Cecconi did not factor into the decision in Monday's 8-6 loss to the Rockies, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over seven innings.

Cecconi threw 64 of 98 pitches for strikes and limited the Rockies to just two extra-base hits despite allowing 12 hard-hit balls. The 26-year-old closes out July with four quality starts in five outings and has now held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 starts this season. He'll take a 3.77 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 63:22 K:BB across 76.1 innings into a road matchup with the Mets early next week.

Blalock did not factor into the decision in Monday's 8-6 win over the Guardians, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings.

Blalock racked up a career-high seven strikeouts and didn't allow an extra-base hit, exiting with a 3-0 lead the Rockies' bullpen couldn't hold. The outing marked the 24-year-old's first career quality start, and he's now allowed just three earned runs over 17 innings since rejoining the majors July 12. He'll take a 7.09 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB across 33 frames into a home matchup with the Pirates this weekend.

Triple-A Round Rock placed Teodo on its 7-day injured list June 12 due to an unspecified injury.

Teodo is on the shelf for the second time this season, after he previously missed about three weeks from late April through mid-May with a shoulder impingement. The 24-year-old right-hander has served as a full-time reliever for Round Rock when available, logging a 10.13 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 19:17 K:BB over 16 innings.