MLB Player News
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Reverts to poor form in loss
Kelly (5-6) allowed six runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Angels on Tuesday.
This was Kelly's third consecutive loss. He pitched a scoreless first inning but was tagged for at least one run in each of the next five frames, creating a deficit too large for the Diamondbacks to escape. During his skid, Kelly has given up 15 runs over 16.1 innings while posting a 9:6 K:BB. He's at a 5.81 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 42:28 K:BB through 69.2 innings over 12 starts this season. His velocity has been stable compared to the last couple of years, but a back injury that delayed his start to the season may have disrupted his rhythm. Kelly is projected to make his next start in St. Louis early next week.
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Mitch Keller SP | PIT
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Strikes out seven in no-decision
Keller allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Tuesday.
Keller got off to a miserable start, walking three of the first four batters he faced on the way to giving up four runs in the first inning. The right-hander was able to pull it together thereafter, and the only other run he allowed came on a Zack Gelof long ball in the sixth. Keller needed 38 pitches to get through the first frame, yet he managed to spare Pittsburgh's bullpen from being overly taxed by getting through his remaining 4.1 innings on 58 pitches. It was actually the deepest Keller has gone since May 24, as he'd given up five-plus earned runs while tossing fewer than five frames in each of his previous three outings coming into Tuesday.
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Austin Slater RF | TB
Rays' Austin Slater: Logs third steal
Slater went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Slater has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with two doubles, two steals and one RBI over six games since he joined the Rays' big-league roster June 8. He was designated for assignment by the Mets in mid-May and elected free agency before signing with the Rays on May 26. He's played with three teams this season, batting .231 with a .578 OPS, three steals, three RBI, three doubles, six runs scored and no home runs over 73 plate appearances between the Rays, Mets and Marlins. Slater will likely fill a short-side platoon role in the outfield as long as he's with Tampa Bay.
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Drew Rasmussen SP | TB
Rays' Drew Rasmussen: Takes hard-luck loss
Rasmussen (6-3) allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over seven innings, taking the loss versus the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Rasmussen gave up a solo home run to Shohei Ohtani in the sixth inning, and that was the difference in this close game. It's the first run Rasmussen has given up in June. He's added a 29:1 K:BB with just nine hits allowed over 21 innings this month. The right-hander is now at a 2.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 84:13 K:BB through 80 innings across 14 starts. Rasmussen will look to stay in dominant form in his next start, which is projected to be at home versus the Royals early next week.
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Davis Martin SP | CHW
White Sox's Davis Martin: Shelled in short start Tuesday
Martin (9-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing nine runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings.
Martin looked sharp out of the gate, striking out three of the first four batters he faced, before things drastically unraveled. The right-hander needed 88 pitches to record just 10 outs and was tagged for a season-high three home runs in his worst outing of the campaign. Across the third and fourth innings alone, Martin allowed 10 baserunners as New York's offense repeatedly capitalized on traffic. After carrying a 2.00 ERA through his first 11 starts, Martin has now allowed six or more earned runs in two of his last three outings, causing his ERA to jump to 3.31. The 29-year-old is scheduled to make his next start on the road against Detroit.
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Framber Valdez SP | DET
Tigers' Framber Valdez: Bounces back with quality start
Valdez allowed one unearned run on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Tuesday.
Valdez took two losses while giving up nine runs over 16.2 innings over his previous three starts coming into Tuesday, but he was much better against the Astros. The southpaw gave up just one run -- which was unearned -- and recorded his first quality start since May 24 while registering his highest strikeout total in over a month. Valdez did issue three walks, but he also kept the ball in the park for just the second time across his past five outings. The veteran hurler has been somewhat disappointing so far in his first season with Detroit, as he holds a 4.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 67:32 K:BB over 83.2 innings through 15 starts.
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Tanner Scott RP | LAD
Dodgers' Tanner Scott: Perfect inning for save
Scott struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Rays.
Scott retired the side on 11 pitches (nine strikes) to preserve the narrow lead. This was his third scoreless outing in a row, and he's earned a save in each of them, giving him nine saves in 10 chances this season. The trusty southpaw has added a 2.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 38:3 K:BB through 31 innings. He has pitched two days in a row, so Alex Vesia or Blake Treinen could be called upon for a save chance if one surfaces Wednesday.
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Tony Santillan RP | CIN
Reds' Tony Santillan: Nails down fourth save Tuesday
Santillan struck out two while allowing one hit over one inning to get his fourth save of the season Tuesday night against the Mets.
Santillan has converted the Reds' last two saves and now has six consecutive scoreless outings. He credits seeing a clip from him from two years ago that inspired him to clean up his delivery, Charlie Goldsmith reports. On a team hurting for reliable relievers, Santillan looks to be its best healthy reliever and likely to get most of the Reds' saves until Emilio Pagan returns.
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Justin Wrobleski SP | LAD
Dodgers' Justin Wrobleski: Shines in eighth win
Wrobleski (8-2) allowed three hits and struck out five without walking a batter over six shutout innings to earn the win over the Rays on Tuesday.
Wrobleski was efficient in this start, throwing 50 of 67 pitches for strikes in a strong showing of command. Shohei Ohtani's solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning was all the help he needed, and the Dodgers' bullpen preserved the lead to give Wrobleski his first win in three starts in June. He's allowed four runs over 16.2 innings this month while adding a 10:2 K:BB. The southpaw is at a 2.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50:16 K:BB through 79.1 innings over 13 appearances (12 starts) in a breakout campaign. Wrobleski is projected to make his next start in Minnesota.
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Gets aboard three times
Crawford went 1-for-2 with two walks in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Orioles.
Crawford missed the minimum time on the 10-day injured list due to a hand injury. Notably, he returned as the leadoff hitter and third baseman Tuesday, allowing Colt Emerson to stay at his natural shortstop position. That arrangement looks like it could stick, at least until Brendan Donovan (groin) returns, which isn't imminent. Crawford is batting .231 with a .773 OPS, 10 home runs, 23 RBI, 31 runs scored, five doubles and one stolen base over 56 contests. He hit .333 (14-for-42) over the 11 games immediately before his injury, so he'll be looking to sustain that momentum.