MLB Player News

Messick didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins after allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings.

Messick kept Minnesota quiet outside of the second inning, when Kody Clemens singled and Royce Lewis followed with an RBI double to open the scoring. The left-handed Messick allowed only one additional hit before departing with one out in the sixth, keeping Cleveland within a run until its offense eventually broke through. Messick owns a 2.51 ERA after the strong outing, though he was denied his 12th victory of the season. In 10 starts since the Midsummer Classic, Messick has a 2.09 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:11 K:BB across 60.1 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start at home against the White Sox in a matchup with plenty of playoff implications next week.

May (7-9) earned the win Friday against the Reds after allowing two hits and a walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings.

May had little trouble protecting the massive advantage Milwaukee's offense provided, limiting Cincinnati to a pair of Sal Stewart singles over six innings. The right-hander threw 84 pitches (56 strikes) and didn't allow a Reds runner to reach third base while combining with Garrett Stallings on a two-hit shutout. May improved to 2-2 in seven starts since joining Milwaukee at the trade deadline, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with a 27:11 K:BB in 29.1 innings over that stretch. He's scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Pirates.

Houck (elbow) allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four over three innings for Double-A Portland on Friday.

Houck stretched out to 48 pitches after he was limited to 20 pitches during his first rehab outing. The right-hander's next step is an outing for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Abbott (6-11) took the loss Friday against the Brewers after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits over two innings. He didn't issue a walk or record a strikeout.

Abbott endured his shortest start of the season as Milwaukee overwhelmed him almost immediately. The left-hander surrendered two runs in the first before the Brewers erupted for six in the second, including three-run and two-run homers from Brice Turang and Jake Bauers, respectively. Abbott also allowed nine of the 14 batters he faced to reach safely. He's been trending in the wrong direction of late, as he's allowed at least seven earned runs in two of his last three outings. His ERA jumped to 4.84 following this disastrous outing, and he also owns a 6.20 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP since the All-Star break. Abbott is scheduled to make his next start against the Dodgers at home.

Imanaga (10-10) picked up the win in Friday's 12-2 rout over the Pirates, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw delivered his 13th quality start of the season on 100 pitches (60 strikes). Imanaga has put together an effective second half, and over 10 starts since the All-Star break he's produced a 5-2 record with a 3.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB through 54.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Nola did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Nola allowed two solo homers but still outdueled Chris Sale, departing with a 3-2 lead after throwing 68 strikes on 101 pitches. The 33-year-old has now delivered a quality start in four of his past five outings, and he owns a 3.08 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. He'll take a 4.69 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 165:55 K:BB across 161.1 innings this season into a road matchup with the Mets next week.

Sale did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over seven innings.

Sale allowed a bases-loaded double in the second inning but settled in from there, throwing 59 of 94 pitches for strikes with 11 whiffs. The veteran southpaw has now recorded a quality start in each of his nine outings since the All-Star break, posting a 2.14 ERA during that stretch. He'll take a 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 190:31 K:BB across 157 innings this season into a road matchup with the Astros next weekend.

Nelson (elbow) will make one more rehab appearance at Triple-A Reno before rejoining the Diamondbacks, MLB.com reports.

Nelson has thrown a pair of scoreless innings and struck out four over his first two rehab outings. The right-hander will pitch out of the bullpen as Arizona competes for a playoff spot.

Molina (3-1) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings to take the loss Friday versus the Padres.

Molina got through the first inning without damage, but he struggled in the second and third before his early exit. He has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) over 17.1 innings in his four outings with the Giants. Between San Francisco and Atlanta this year, he has a 5.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB through 22.1 innings.

Ray (12-8) allowed five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings Friday, earning the win over the Giants.

Ray didn't exactly produce a revenge game against the team that dealt him to a division rival at the trade deadline, but he did enough to get the win. He's now allowed 10 runs across 7.1 innings over his two starts in September. For the season, the southpaw is at a 3.57 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 132:81 K:BB across 156.1 innings through 29 games (28 starts). He'll look to build off his 100th career win when he takes the mound in Colorado next week.