MLB Player News

Houck did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with one strikeout over six innings.

Houck allowed a run in the first inning but rebounded for five scoreless frames before departing with a 3-1 lead that the bullpen couldn't preserve. He generated only two swinging strikes on 82 pitches but also limited the Astros to four hard-hit balls. The 28-year-old's command remains worth monitoring, as he has posted a 19:19 K:BB in six starts between July and August. On the year, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 124:38 K:BB across 140 innings and lines up to face the Orioles next week.

Blanco did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Blanco surrendered a two-run double in the second inning and allowed another run to score on an errant pickoff attempt in the fourth. He was pulled at 88 pitches in his shortest appearance since being ejected after three innings May 14. The 30-year-old is winless in four outings since the All-Star break, yielding 12 earned runs across 19 innings while failing to log a quality start. On the season, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 126:51 K:BB across 128 innings and will try to get back on track in a matchup with the Rays next week.

Soriano didn't factor into the decision Friday against Washington, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

After allowing a run on a pair of hits and a walk in the first inning, Soriano proceeded to blank the Nationals over his final five frames, allowing just two additional hits. The 25-year-old has held opponents to one run or fewer in four of his last five outings. His ERA is down to 3.36 on the season with a 1.19 WHIP and 92:42 K:BB across 109.2 innings. Soriano's currently in line for a home matchup with Atlanta in his next outing.

Spence (7-8) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks with two strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Spence surrendered a leadoff homer to George Springer and was pulled an out shy of a quality start after allowing three hits and a run in the sixth. The rookie has pitched well since the All-Star break, yielding two earned runs or fewer and working into the sixth frame in each of his four outings. On the season, he owns a 4.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 86:31 K:BB across 106 innings and lines up to face the Mets on the road next week.

Littell (5-8) took the loss Friday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

After surrendering a home run to Colton Cowser to lead off the game, Littell managed to settle in and keep Baltimore off the board until the fifth, when Ryan O'Hearn drove in two more runs with a two-out single. The 28-year-old Littell had won back-to-back starts prior to Friday, allowing just one run in 12.2 innings. Overall, the right-hander sports a 4.11 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 113:24 K:BB across 124.2 innings this season. Littell's currently slated for a home matchup with the Astros in his next outing.

Berrios (10-9) earned the win against the Athletics on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Berrios allowed a solo home run in the third inning but was otherwise fantastic, limiting hard contact and generating 12 swinging strikes on 103 pitches. He has been inconsistent since the All-Star break, posting two seven-inning victories but also yielding eight earned runs across 9.2 frames in his other two outings. On the season, the 30-year-old owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 111:43 K:BB across 142.2 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Angels next week.

Eflin (8-7) earned the win Friday over the Rays, allowing four hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

It was a dominant performance from Eflin against the club that shipped him north just before the trade deadline. The right-hander has won all three of his outings with Baltimore with three quality starts, allowing just five runs in 19.1 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is down to 3.83 with a 1.15 WHIP and 104:15 K:BB in 22 starts (129.1 innings) between the Orioles and Rays. He's lined up for a home matchup with the Red Sox his next time out.

Cobb (hip/shoulder/finger) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start in the second game of Friday's doubleheader versus Minnesota.

Cobb has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a left hip procedure he underwent in the offseason as well as various other injuries he suffered during rehab. He's now set to make his season debut for the Guardians after being traded from San Francisco ahead of the trade deadline. The 36-year-old righty posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while striking out 29 batters across 23 innings during his rehab assignment, and he was able to throw 69 pitches (4.2 innings) during his most recent minor-league outing. Anthony Gose was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Cantillo (0-2) took the loss in the opening game of Friday's doubleheader with the Twins, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

Cantillo allowed a run in the first inning before Minnesota added solo homers in the second and fourth. The 24-year-old has allowed three runs in each of his three starts in the majors this year, posting a 6.23 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP and nine strikeouts over 13 innings. The left-hander figures to return to Triple-A following Friday's outing, where he has a 2.79 ERA in seven starts.

Giolito (elbow) was throwing in the field at Fenway Park on Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito joined the Red Sox in the offseason to be part of Boston's starting rotation. However, he never had the chance to suit up in the regular season after suffering a partial UCL tear and flexor strain in his right elbow during spring training, which required an internal brace procedure in March and a trip to the 60-day injured list. That type of procedure carries a 10-12 month recovery window, so the fact that Giolito is throwing just five months after surgery shows how well the 30-year-old is progressing in his rehab. Barring any setbacks, he could begin throwing off a mound before the end of the season.