MLB Player News

Sasaki (shoulder) tossed two-plus innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with zero strikeouts.

The outing was Sasaki's first game action since he went four innings in a start for the big-league Dodgers against Arizona on May 9. The right-hander needed 41 pitches Wednesday to retire six batters, and he departed after allowing the first two batters he faced in the third frame to reach base. While he reportedly hit 97 mph with his fastball in a sim game last week, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, Sasaki's velocity settled in the 93-94 mph range in the rehab outing and topped out at 95.7 mph while inducing just two whiffs. Though this was an important step for Sasaki in his quest to return to the majors before the end of the season, the results suggest that he has a ways to go before he's ready to face big-league hitters again.

Blalock (1-4) allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks while failing to log a strikeout over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

Home runs from Lourdes Gurriel and Jose Herrera accounted for five of the seven runs on Blalock's line. Those blasts came within the first two innings, and the right-hander ran into more trouble before he was pulled in the fourth. Blalock has given up 19 runs across his last 15 innings over three starts. The 24-year-old is at an 8.62 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 22:18 K:BB in 47 innings through 11 appearances (nine starts) this season. He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home against the Dodgers, who have been struggling lately but still pose a threat.

Rodriguez (5-7) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rockies.

Rodriguez didn't fare well in a no-decision versus the Rockies in Arizona last week, allowing five runs over 5.1 innings. He was much better in Colorado, limiting the damage to a Kyle Farmer solo home run in the fifth inning. Inconsistency has been the story of the year for Rodriguez, who has allowed two or fewer runs in just three of his last seven outings. He's at a 5.40 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 111:43 K:BB across 110 innings through 21 starts. The veteran southpaw is projected to make his next start at home versus the Guardians.

Senga didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk across 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Senga nearly submitted his first quality start in seven appearances, but he was pulled at 93 pitches with two outs in the sixth frame. Still, it was a step in the right direction for the 32-year-old, as he had allowed at least three runs in each of his last four starts and walked 14 batters during that span. His seven Ks also tied a season high. Through 19 appearances, Senga has a 2.35 ERA and a 95:48 K:BB across 99.2 innings. He's on track to face the Nationals in his next start.

Elder (5-9) picked up the win Thursday against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out six.

Elder snapped a streak of three consecutive losses Thursday, delivering a quality start and completing seven innings for the first time in 10 appearances. The 26-year-old has been inconsistent in his last eight starts, allowing five or more earned runs three times and fewer than three earned runs three times during that stretch. On the year, Elder has a 5.89 ERA and an 87:41 K:BB across 107 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox next time out.

Luzardo (11-6) took the loss Thursday against Washington, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Luzardo recorded his fourth consecutive quality start, but Thursday's outing was his first of that stretch to not result in a win. The left-hander seems to have left a late July blip in the rearview mirrow, during which he allowed 10 runs over 9.2 innings across two starts. During his quality start streak, Luzardo has a 2.52 ERA and a 22:5 K:BB across 25 innings. Luzardo's next start is tentatively scheduled to come against the Mariners early next week.

Ober allowed three runs on four hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Tigers on Thursday.

Ober allowed a two-run home run to Riley Greene in the fourth inning and an RBI single to Colt Keith in the sixth. While Ober was stingy with baserunners, the Tigers were able to take advantage of his few mistakes. He's given up eight runs over 16.1 innings across three starts since returning from a left hip impingement. Overall, he's posted a 5.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 86:24 K:BB through 108.1 innings across 20 starts this season. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Athletics.

Skubal allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Thursday.

Skubal was chased in the fifth inning of his previous outing, but he was able to bounce back with a quality start this time around. However, the three strikeouts were his second fewest in a game this year, better than only his Opening Day performance against the Dodgers. He's also allowed at least three runs in four of his last six starts -- while not terrible in that stretch, we've seen him be more dominant for long stretches in the last couple of years. Overall, Skubal has a 2.42 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 190:23 K:BB through 152.1 innings over 24 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be at home versus the Astros.

Cabrera (6-6) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was a tough outing for Cabrera, who came back to earth after pitching to a 1.40 ERA in his previous four starts (25.2 innings). Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander sports a 3.34 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a career-high 120 strikeouts across 21 starts (113.1 innings). Cabrera will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals.

Bibee (9-9) earned the win Thursday over the Marlins, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

After giving up three runs in the first inning -- in part due to some shoddy defense -- Bibee managed to right the ship and hold Miami to just one run over his final 4.2 frames. The right-hander has won five of his last six outings despite posting a subpar 5.13 ERA in that span. Overall, Bibee sports a 4.54 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 124:43 K:BB across 24 starts (136.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up to face the Diamondbacks on the road his next time out.