MLB Player News

Alcantara (13-7) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were downed 1-0 by the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over seven innings. He struck out out.

The veteran right-hander didn't have his best stuff or best command, but Alcantara still put together his fourth straight quality start and MLB-leading 19th of the season on 103 pitches (67 strikes), only to have Chase Burns be just a little bit stingier opposite him. Alcantara was also a little unlucky -- he saw his scoreless streak end at 25.2 innings when Eugenio Suarez dumped a ball into left field that Heriberto Hernandez badly misplayed, allowing Tyler Stephenson to lumber home from first base as the ball rolled to the warning track on what was officially ruled a double. Alcantara has become a throwback workhorse of late, lasting at least seven innings in six of eight starts since the beginning of July while compiling a 1.80 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB through 55 frames. He'll look to get more offensive support in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

Liberatore (5-10) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.1 innings as the Cardinals fell 3-0 to the Cubs. He struck out six.

The 26-year-old southpaw put together one of his better performances of the season while tossing 58 of 95 pitches for strikes, but the St. Louis offense got completely shut down as Clay Holmes took a perfect game into the sixth inning. Liberatore hasn't gotten into the win column since before the All-Star break, going 0-4 over his last five starts with a 5.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB in 25.1 innings. He'll try to snap that streak in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Cecconi (arm) underwent an MRI that confirmed no structural damage, MLB.com reports.

That's good news for the Cecconi, who felt an issue during a relief appearance Aug. 6. The right-hander is expected to resume throwing in the coming days.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Royals, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Rodriguez allowed runs in the second and third innings, throwing just 53 of 89 total pitches for strikes with 12 whiffs. Despite exceeding 80 pitches for the sixth straight start, he lasted just four innings for the fourth time in seven outings since returning from the injured list July 10. The 26-year-old owns a 7.17 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 55:28 K:BB across 59 innings this season and lines up for a road matchup with the Astros next week.

Lugo did not factor into the decision in Friday's 7-6 win over the Angels, allowing five runs on seven hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Lugo was mostly undone by a four-run third inning and departed after 86 pitches in the fifth after allowing a game-tying single with two outs. It's been an uneven second half for the veteran, who's posted four quality starts in six outings while also succumbing to two five-run blowups. He owns a 4.59 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 108:46 K:BB across 139.1 innings this season and lines up to face the Athletics at home next week.

Holmes (5-5) tossed 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.

Holmes' second start with the Cubs was much better than his first -- he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings in his team debut. The righty dazzled Friday and retired the first 16 batters he faced before Jose Fermin dumped a soft single into right field in the sixth inning to break up the potential perfect game. While Holmes has just 49 strikeouts in 63.1 innings this year, he's still has been effective with a 2.56 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, and he should get more run support than he got with the Mets now that he's backed by a strong Chicago lineup. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next outing, which is currently lined up for Wednesday against the cross-town rival White Sox.

Lambert did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-7 extra-inning win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings.

Lambert allowed two runs in the first inning but settled in from there, generating 12 swinging strikes on 96 pitches while limiting the Mariners to just two hard-hit balls. The 29-year-old is now winless in six starts since the All-Star break despite yielding two earned runs or fewer and completing at least five innings in each of those outings. He'll carry a 3.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 117:46 K:BB across 118.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Angels next week.

Kirby did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-7 extra-inning loss to the Astros, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

The damage was done early, as Kirby surrendered a solo homer in the first before enduring a four-run second inning. He labored overall, issuing three walks for just the third time this season while generating only seven whiffs on 99 pitches. The 28-year-old has now posted a 4.39 ERA through five second-half outings, though 12 of the 13 runs he's allowed have come in two blow-up starts. He'll take a 3.89 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 114:31 K:BB across 136.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Brewers next week.

Roupp (7-12) allowed four runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 5.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Rockies.

Roupp threw just 57 of 91 pitches for strikes in this outing, which was his fourth straight loss. He's been competitive in just one of those games while allowing a total of 14 runs over his last 19.1 innings with a 15:15 K:BB in that span. Overall, Roupp is at a 4.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 128:60 K:BB through 129.1 innings over 24 starts. While his performance is fading, the Giants lack better options to fill in as part of the rotation, so expect Roupp to make his next projected start at Cleveland.

Freeland (4-10) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out two over eight innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

Freeland threw 66 of 95 pitches for strikes to get back in the win column. He's won two of his three starts in August, allowing just five runs (three earned) over 21.1 innings with a 13:6 K:BB in that span. Freeland has had a largely unimpressive season, but he's shown an ability to cover heavy innings on some occasions with seven starts of at least six frames. He's at a 6.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 98:27 K:BB through 120.2 innings over 22 starts this season. Freeland is lined up to make his next start at home versus the Dodgers, which will be a challenging matchup. He has allowed 14 runs over nine innings in two previous starts versus the Dodgers this season, both of which were in Los Angeles rather than Colorado.