MLB Player News

Morton allowed four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five over 2.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Saturday.

Morton had seemingly turned a corner with two successful starts in a row since returning to the rotation, but he faltered again Saturday. He threw 76 pitches (42 strikes) in this effort, which saw him give up all four runs in the first inning, though the Orioles were able to overcome the early deficit. Morton has generally been better since the start of May after a brief shift to the bullpen, but it continues to be tough to trust the 41-year-old from one outing to the next. He's at a 6.59 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 57:31 K:BB through 56 innings over 15 appearances (nine starts) this season. Morton's next start is tentatively projected to be at home versus the Angels.

Kolek didn't factor in the decision against Milwaukee on Saturday, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and four walks while striking out two batters.

Kolek struggled with his control, as he threw just 51 of 88 pitches for strikes and issued a season-high four free passes. However, the right-hander didn't allow any extra-base hits and let just one Brewer get to third base. This was the second straight start in which Kolek finished with exactly 5.2 scoreless frames, and he's now gone 15.1 innings since last giving up a run. Kolek has been a solid asset for the Padres since moving into the rotation in early May, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.24 WHIP despite a mediocre 29:16 K:BB across 42 frames.

Brown settled for a no-decision after allowing one run on four hits and five walks while striking out nine in 5.1 innings of work during Saturday's 5-3 win over the Guardians in 10 innings.

For a second straight start, the free passes piled up for Brown. After walking a season-high five batters Saturday, the 26-year-old has walked nine batters in his last 11.1 innings. Despite the recent run of free passes, Brown still has a career-best 2.8 BB/9 across 79 innings this year. The right-hander has allowed one or fewer runs in nine of his past 11 starts, bringing his season-long ERA down to an impressive 1.82.

Quintana pitched five innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters.

Quintana allowed a fair number of baserunners, but none of the five hits against him went for extra bases. The southpaw was limited to five frames as he racked up 101 pitches, and he departed in line for the loss before a seventh-inning Milwaukee rally took him off the hook. Quintana has completed exactly five frames in each of his two starts since being activated off the IL on June 1, and he's yielded just three runs despite a 7:7 K:BB during that span. He'll look for his first victory since late April the next time he takes the mound, which lines up to be at home against St. Louis next week.

Castillo (4-4) allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and struck out five without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Angels.

Castillo was able to limit the damage, as all three home runs he allowed were solo shots. However, the Angels' tying rally in the third inning yielded two unearned runs, and the Mariners failed to bounce back effectively after that. Prior to Saturday, Castillo had seemingly rounded into form with four straight quality starts, allowing just four runs over 25 innings in that stretch. He's now at a 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB over 73.1 innings through 13 starts, and he's given up seven homers this year. The 32-year-old is projected to make his next start at home versus the Guardians.

Kochanowicz allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

Kochanowicz was working from behind after giving up a three-run home run to Cal Raleigh in the first inning. Kochanowicz was pulled at 75 pitches (50 strikes), and the Angels worked their way ahead after his exit. It's the third time in four starts the right-hander has failed to complete five innings. He's now at a 5.61 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 48:33 K:BB across 67.1 innings this season. The 24-year-old's next start is projected to be on the road in Baltimore.

Wacha (3-5) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

Wacha gave up a two-run homer in the second inning and a solo shot in the third, accounting for all of the runs against him. He was otherwise fine, racking up 12 whiffs and throwing 64 of 95 pitches for strikes, but the right-hander got only one run of support as he fell to 3-5. Wacha did manage to notch his second straight quality start and his sixth overall this season, and he's been a steady part of Kansas City's rotation with a 3.01 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 74.2 frames.

Marquez (2-8) allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out three without walking a batter over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Mets.

Marquez allowed three of those four runs on solo home runs by Ronny Mauricio, Jared Young and Jeff McNeil. Prior to Saturday, Marquez had gone five starts (28 innings) without allowing a homer. He's given up a reasonable seven long balls across 13 starts this year, but he's also frequently gotten punished by balls that stayed in the yard, pitching to a 7.00 ERA. He's added a 1.68 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB over 63 innings as well, so Saturday's strong display of control shouldn't be considered the norm. Marquez is tentatively projected to make his next start at Atlanta.

Houser (2-1) earned the win over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.

Houser gave up a second-inning solo homer to Vinnie Pasquantino but didn't allow any other runs or extra-base hits. The right-handed hurler tied his season high with six punchouts -- a mark he's tallied in each of his past three outings -- and has now notched a quality start in each of first four appearances this season. Houser hasn't finished a campaign with an ERA below 4.12 or a WHIP under 1.39 since 2021, so fantasy managers are justified in being skeptical about the red-hot start to his White Sox tenure. That being said, Houser now holds a sparkling 1.48 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with a 20:6 K:BB through 24.1 innings, so he's becoming hard to ignore on waiver wires.

Holmes (7-3) allowed one run on nine hits and struck out six without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Saturday over the Rockies.

Holmes put a lot of traffic on the basepaths, but the only run he surrendered was on a Ryan McMahon solo shot in the fourth inning. The long ball has been a bit of an issue lately for Holmes, who has surrendered eight homers over his last six starts, but he also has four quality starts in that span. For the season, he's maintained a 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 65:23 K:BB through 73.1 innings during his first year as a full-time starter. Holmes is tentatively scheduled to make his next start at home versus the Rays.