MLB Player News

Koss went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Astros.

Koss lined a double to left field in the sixth inning, driving in San Francisco's final run. He's recorded a hit in three straight games and is batting .191 with three runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base across 49 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He figures to continue seeing increased opportunities for the injury-plagued Giants, as Matt Chapman (abdomen) underwent season-ending surgery Tuesday.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said that Houser will start Wednesday's game against the Astros in San Francisco, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Houser will essentially be making a second straight turn through the rotation, after he worked behind an opener and picked up a win while throwing five innings of one-run ball in bulk relief Friday against the Tigers. Trevor McDonald's season-ending elbow injury as well as the recent trades of Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle should keep a rotation spot available for Houser over the balance of the season if he's able to perform well enough to maintain it. Over 23 appearances (14 starts) with the Giants, Houser owns a 4.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB across 97 innings.

Torres is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Torres finds himself on the bench for a third straight game, with the left-handed-hitting outfielder sitting twice against right-handed pitchers during that span. Jose Fermin will get the nod over Torres in left field, but both players may be merely keeping the seat warm for prospect Joshua Baez, who has submitted an .893 OPS at Triple-A Memphis this season and could be in the mix for a late-season promotion.

Irvin (2-6) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings as the Nationals were downed 8-6 by the Cubs. He struck out four.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, Chicago tagged Irvin for runs in each of the next three frames before the right-hander got the hook after 88 pitches (56 strikes). Irvin has made three starts since coming off the IL in late July, and he's surrendered five runs in two of them while serving up four homers in 13.2 innings, including a solo shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday. Irvin will try to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Mets.

Webb recorded his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up one hit and striking out two in 1.1 scoreless innings.

After Ryan Zeferjahn let the Nats creep closer in the eighth inning, Webb was called in to put out the fire and got the final out of the frame before handling the ninth. Webb hasn't been tagged for a run since June 20, with his scoreless streak standing at 20.2 innings with a 0.87 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB, and he's converted all six of his save chances during that span. Daniel Palencia (elbow) isn't looking especially sharp during his rehab assignment, and Webb is making a strong case to hang onto the closer role for the Cubs even after Palencia comes off the IL.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The ball was flying at Nationals Park as the two teams combined for six long balls, and Imanaga served up half of them, though he was able to limit the damage. The veteran southpaw left the mound after 86 pitches (55 strikes) as he got tagged for more than two runs for the first time since June 24. Over seven starts and 40.2 innings between those shaky performances, Imanaga put together a 1.77 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

Criswell (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, pitching around a hit and a walk to log a scoreless frame.

Criswell landed on the 15-day injured list nearly a month ago with a right shoulder strain. He could require another rehab outing or two before rejoining the Rockies' bullpen.

Fairbanks struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 18th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Pirates.

The veteran closer converted his fifth straight save chance while extending his scoreless streak to seven appearances and seven innings -- a stretch in which he's allowed just one hit with a 10:2 K:BB. Despite his recent form, on the season Fairbanks is saddled with a 6.03 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 37.1 frames with 18 saves in 21 opportunities.

Perez (6-9) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Matched up against Paul Skenes, Perez rose to the occasion and fired 62 of 100 pitches for strikes while preventing Pittsburgh from even getting a runner into scoring position. The win was Perez's first since July 5, but he hasn't been pitching poorly -- during that five-start stretch, the 23-year-old delivered a 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 30 innings despite winding up with an 0-3 record. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Cincinnati.

Skenes (9-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Marlins. He struck out four.

Pittsburgh's hitters couldn't solve Eury Perez and the Miami bullpen, giving Skenes no margin for error in a solid outing. While Skenes made an early exit after 65 pitches (45 strikes), manager Don Kelly told Jason Mackey of MLB.com after the game that there was no injury concern with the right-hander. Instead, the game situation presented Kelly with an opportunity to give the 24-year-old right-hander a bit of extra rest. Skenes has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs in 14.1 innings over his prior three starts, and his fastball velocity was down over one tick Tuesday, averaging 95.7 mph. Skenes will look to rally in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox.