MLB Player News

Montero (5-5) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Wednesday's 6-2, extra-innings victory over the Yankees. He walked one and struck out three.

After blanking Houston across seven innings to earn a win as a starter Friday, Montero shifted back to the bullpen and continued to post zeroes. The righty certainly has more fantasy value in the rotation, but he's proving that he can capably handle a swing role and give the Tigers some length in relief when needed. For now, expect Montero to remain in the bullpen, though he is likely to pick up more starts as the season rolls along.

Tolle (4-6) took the loss Wednesday as the Red Sox were routed 10-2 by the Nationals, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over three-plus innings. He struck out five.

Four of the hits off Tolle went for extra bases, including a first-inning homer by Andres Chaparro and a fourth-inning blast by Nasim Nunez -- with both long balls being their first of the season. It's the first time since May 28 that the southpaw has failed to last at least five innings, and Wednesday's outing was his shortest of the year. Tolle will take a 3.39 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 74:23 K:BB through 74.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the White Sox.

Wicks allowed one run on five hits across three innings of relief to earn the save in Wednesday's 23-3 win over the Padres. He struck out two.

Wicks certainly had a big enough cushion to work with, and he finished off the rout for his second save in the last four days. The lefty isn't necessarily Chicago's top option for saves, as his last one came after the team had already gone through six pitchers in an extra-inning contest, and Wednesday was simply mop-up duty. Wicks should settle in as a middle-relief option most days, which limits his general fantasy appeal.

Alvarez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two hits and a walk over 4.2 scoreless relief innings in a 10-2 rout of the Red Sox. He struck out six.

Entering the game in the third inning with the Nationals already up 2-0 after Brad Lord recorded the first seven outs as the opener, Alvarez kept the shutout going while tossing 74 pitches (46 strikes) in bulk relief. The 27-year-old southpaw has given up two runs or fewer in six straight trips to the mound since the beginning of June, producing a 2.45 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB across 25.2 innings during that stingy stretch. His next outing is set to come at home early next week against the Astros.

Cantillo (7-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 9-4 victory over the Rangers, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The five free passes were a season-worst performance from Cantillo, who tossed just 53 of 93 pitches for strikes, but the left-hander was able to limit the damage as all three hits off him were singles. He's won three of his last four starts while not giving up more than two runs in any of those outings, posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB through 24 innings over that stretch. Cantillo will look to tighten things up in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Minnesota.

Gore (5-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings as the Rangers fell 9-4 to the Guardians. He struck out seven.

All five runs against the southpaw came in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from David Fry, and Texas offense was never able to climb out of the hole. It's the first time since May 7 that Gore has been tagged for more than four runs, but since the beginning of June he's stumbled to a 4.92 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB over 34.2 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Angels.

Kremer (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings during a 6-1 victory over the White Sox. He struck out four.

Making his first start since April 18 after recovering from a quadriceps strain, Kremer got taken deep by Sam Antonacci on the second pitch he threw but then slammed the door shut on Chicago, retiring the next 11 batters he faced and not letting another runner get past second base. Kremer has delivered quality starts in two of his three trips to the mound this season, and he'll take a 3.18 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB over 17 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Cubs.

Rea (6-5) earned the win Wednesday against the Padres, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Rea was mostly unfazed by the difficult conditions at sizzling Wrigley Field, and he also got plenty of run support on a day when the Cubs erupted for 23 runs. The 36-year-old right-hander was a bit wild at times, walking three and hitting a pair of batters, but he still worked at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer for a third consecutive outing. Rea will bring a shaky 4.74 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 68:34 K:BB over 89.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Orioles.

Kolek (personal) is expected to return from the family medical emergency list to start Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kolek moved from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Tuesday so that he could spend more time away from the team following the birth of his child, but the Royals won't end up having to skip his turn in the rotation for a second time. The 29-year-old righty will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous nine-run, 1.2-inning performance during his last start June 21, though he'll be facing a Rays offense that's posted an .881 OPS across its last 10 games.

Buehler (5-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing nine runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Working under tough conditions at scorching Wrigley Field, Buehler floundered in what was a season-worst outing. The veteran right-hander gave up more than five runs for the first time this year, breaking up a string of five consecutive starts during which he allowed just one run in each outing. Buehler's ERA swelled to 4.61 and his WHIP to 1.38 to go with a 76:30 K:BB over 82 innings, so he'll be looking to erase Wednesday's disaster his next time out versus Arizona.