MLB Player News

Mathews allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Thursday.

It wasn't an easy outing for Mathews, as he needed 99 pitches to complete five innings and threw only 52 of those offerings for strikes. He logged just one clean frame but wasn't scored upon until he uncorked a wild pitch to allow a run to cross the plate in the fifth inning. The four walks were a career high, but Mathews would have come away with a second straight victory if Riley O'Brien hadn't blown a save opportunity in the bottom of the ninth. Mathews has shown some flashes during his first five MLB starts but is just 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 24.2 innings. He's slated to make his next start in San Francisco.

Skubal allowed two runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Thursday.

Skubal didn't have his best stuff Thursday, as he gave up a season-high 10 hits while logging only one 1-2-3 inning. However, the star hurler showed poise in mostly working around the constant flow of traffic, as the Cardinals were able to plate just two runs against him. Skubal extended his stretch of outings with three or fewer runs allowed to 12, and he's struck out six or more batters 11 times during that span. He has only one win through six starts as a Dodger, but Skubal has been pretty effective, logging a 3.03 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB across 35.2 innings since being traded to Los Angeles.

The Reds signed Fletcher to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Fletcher has been assigned to Triple-A Louisville. The 29-year-old has spent most of the 2026 campaign in the Pirates' organization, where he slashed .301/.386/.485 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 42 runs scored, three stolen bases and a 26:34 BB:K across 237 plate appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis before being released last month.

Alcantara (13-9) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out two.

Kansas City made its mark in the third and fifth innings, bringing across a pair of runs in each frame to cost Alcantara a quality start. The workhorse right-hander continues to deliver plenty of length for the Marlins, pitching at least six innings in 12 consecutive starts. He'll take a steady 3.54 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 142:51 K:BB over an MLB-high 195.2 frames into his next scheduled outing versus the division-rival Mets.

Stowers exited Thursday's contest against the Royals with left hamstring tightness, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stowers was hit by a pitch in the foot during top of the seventh frame, but it was ultimately hamstring discomfort that resulted in him being removed in the eighth inning. The 28-year-old will likely undergo additional imaging and should have his status updated in the near future. It's worth noting that a strain of the same hamstring put Stowers on the injured list for a couple weeks in August.

Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

Crow-Armstrong went deep against Milwaukee starter Logan Henderson with a runner on in the third inning, and it was all the offense the Cubs would need to secure a series split with their division rivals. The young outfielder came into the night with just a .322 OPS against the Brewers this year with no home runs, but he's been dynamite overall. Crow-Armstrong is now one long ball shy of his first career 40-homer campaign, and he's tacked on 32 stolen bases as well to put a 40-40 season well within reach.

Stowers was removed from Thursday night's contest against the Royals in the eighth inning due to an apparent foot injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stowers took a 93.2-mph fastball from Craig Kimbrel off his left foot with two outs in the top of the seventh frame, and he ultimately remained in the contest. The 28-year-old was later replaced by Deyvison De Los Santos in the field with no outs and a runner at second base in the bottom of the eighth. More information on the status of Stowers will likely come following the conclusion of the game.

Gausman (9-11) earned the win against the Brewers on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out nine.

The right-hander outdueled Logan Henderson on Thursday, authoring one of his finest efforts as a member of the Cubs. Gausman registered his most strikeouts in a Chicago uniform, giving up one or no runs for the second time in six starts with his new club. He'll try to build more momentum his next time out in a road rematch with Milwaukee, holding a 4.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB in 35 innings since being traded from Toronto.

Rolison pitched a clean ninth inning with no strikeouts to record the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

With Jacob Webb taking a comebacker off his forearm Wednesday, the Cubs needed to go in a different direction to close out Thursday's game, and Rolison was up to the task. Webb is experiencing soreness but will avoid a stint on the injured list, so Rolison's time as Chicago's closer may be short lived, though it's possible Webb misses a few more games. No matter what role he's been in this year, Rolison has been reliable with a 2.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 55.1 innings, and he now has two saves to his name as well.

Henderson (9-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was outdueled by Kevin Gausman on Thursday, taking a hard-luck loss in a valiant effort. Henderson continued to deal on the mound, rattling off his sixth straight quality start and fourth consecutive outing with fewer than three runs allowed. He'll look to keep the good times rolling his next time out in a home rematch with the Cubs, sporting a 2.48 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 93:14 K:BB in 83.1 innings.