MLB Player News

Cantillo (4-3) earned the win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings.

Cantillo was impressive against a tough Boston lineup, completing six innings for the first time this season. The southpaw's lone blemish came in the fourth inning when Boston scratched across a run on three singles, but he quickly rebounded to retire seven of the final eight batters he faced. Wednesday's performance continued a strong stretch in which Cantillo has now allowed exactly one run in three straight outings. Across his nine starts this year, the 25-year-old has posted a 3.68 ERA and 51:24 K:BB over 44 innings.

Ellard will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Twins, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ellard will work as an opener for the second time in four days after coughing up one unearned run in 1.2 innings in Monday's 6-5 win over Minnesota. Jonathan Cannon is expected to pitch in bulk relief after Ellard exits the game.

Leiter (9-8) took the loss Wednesday as the Rangers were downed 2-0 by the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The 25-year-old right-hander delivered his third straight quality start, and eighth of the season, on 99 pitches (64 strikes), but Leiter got no run support from the Texas offense. In nine outings since the All-Star break, Leiter has posted a 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 57:24 K:BB over 47.1 innings as he establishes himself as a key part of the team's rotation plans for the present and future. Leiter is scheduled to make his next start at home early next week against the Brewers.

Topa (1-5) was charged with the loss and a blown save in a 4-3 defeat to the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

That's consecutive blown saves for Topa, who has now given up at least one run in four straight outings. Given the right-hander's recent struggles, it wouldn't be surprising to see manager Rocco Baldelli turn to a different high-leverage arm, such as Cole Sands or Kody Funderburk, for Minnesota's next save chance. Topa has a 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 58 innings this season.

Mize (13-5) picked up the win over the Mets on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings in a 6-2 victory. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander was lifted after only 69 pitches (48 strikes), his lowest workload since Aug. 4 -- denying Mize a shot at his eighth quality start of the season. The Tigers' caution is understandable considering he stumbled to a 5.81 ERA across five starts in August, but his spot in the rotation for September is secure, and the team may be attempting to build in some rest for him ahead of the playoffs. Mize lines up to make his next start on the road next week against the Yankees.

Leasure picked up the save in a 4-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Leasure turned in his sixth save of the season, and it was also his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. The right-hander had a 4.62 ERA for the year through July 28, but he's been exceptional out of the Chicago bullpen since the start of August. Over his last 14 innings, Leasure has a 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB with four saves to enhance his ERA to 4.08 for the campaign.

Quero went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 4-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday.

Quero left the yard for the fifth time this season, and it was his first homer since Aug. 12 versus Detroit. The switch-hitting backstop has a decent .737 OPS during his rookie year, and he's fared even better over his last 18 games. During that span, Quero is batting a torrid .351 with two big flies, two doubles, 10 RBI and eight runs scored across his last 57 at-bats.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lugo's next start will be delayed due to lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lugo reported tightness in his back Monday, so the Royals will give him a few extra days to recover before sending him back to the mound. The 35-year-old was initially lined up to start Thursday's series finale against the Angels, but that game will now instead belong to Noah Cameron. No official starter has been named for Saturday's contest against the Twins, however, so Kansas City may look to get Lugo on the bump then if his back cooperates.

The White Sox will recall Cannon from Triple-A Charlotte to pitch in bulk relief during Thursday's game against the Twins, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cannon owns a 5.34 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 96 innings in the majors, but he's set to make his return to Chicago and follow opener Fraser Ellard on Thursday. The right-hander will get to face a Twins offense that sports a .696 OPS since the beginning of August, but he shouldn't be viewed as a reliable fantasy option after giving up at least five earned runs in each of his last three big-league outings.

Raley was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays due to tightness in his side, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 30-year-old entered Wednesday's game in the fourth inning for Josh Naylor, but Raley was later taken out of the game himself in the seventh after going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The Mariners are calling his removal precautionary, however, and he'll receive an additional day to recover before Seattle begins its next series in Atlanta on Friday thanks to Thursday's team day off.