MLB Player News

Eovaldi did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over 3.1 innings against Toronto. He struck out three.

The 33-year-old had another short outing and surrendered a two-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero in the first inning. The silver lining is that Eovaldi fired 73 pitches, his most in three starts since returning from the injured list Sept. 5, as he continues to build back up to a normal workload. In the right-hander's previous two outings, he threw 35 and 47 pitches while failing to complete three innings. While it's encouraging to see his pitch count increase, fantasy managers have to hope Eovaldi can improve upon the 7.71 ERA, 2.43 WHIP and 7:6 K:BB he has posted across just seven innings since his return. He is currently slated to make his next start early next week in a home matchup with one of his former teams, the Red Sox.

Olson (4-7) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over six innings against the Reds. He struck out seven.

Olson didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, when Jake Fraley singled to open the frame. The right-hander then surrendered a solo homer to Spencer Steer two batters later but was still able to get through the inning and earn his fourth win of the season. Olson has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in three consecutive starts to open the month, going at least six innings on each occasion. He's also recorded at least seven strikeouts in three of his last five outings.

Urena (0-6) took the loss against Minnesota on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out eight batters over 6.1 innings.

Urena gave up a pair of solo shots in the fourth inning, but those were the only runs he gave up through six frames. Things fell apart for him in the seventh, however, as he allowed four straight one-out hits that led to four runs, with Kyle Farmer's two-run homer being the biggest blow and marking the end of his outing. Urena has been tagged with the loss in all but one of his seven appearances this season, compiling an ugly 8.48 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 20:16 K:BB over 28.2 frames.

Maeda (5-7) earned the win over the White Sox on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over seven innings.

Maeda rattled off six scoreless frames before Andrew Vaughn tagged him for a two-run homer in the seventh. The veteran hurler nonetheless finished off that inning and exited with his first quality start since Aug. 10. Maeda was impressive with 14 whiffs and eight strikeouts, with the latter mark tying for his second-highest total of the campaign. Though the right-hander has just five wins over 19 starts on the season, he's now notched consecutive victories for the first time in 2023.

Schmidt allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Boston.

Schmidt had to wait awhile to make this start -- it was originally scheduled for Monday but got pushed back due to a pair of rainouts. He fell behind 2-0 in the first frame but recovered enough to last 5.1 innings and depart with a lead, though he had to ultimately settle for a no-decision. Schmidt gave up exactly three earned runs for his third straight start, though this was arguably the least impressive of that trio as he struck out just three batters compared to a combined 13 across the other two. Barring any more weather issues, he's set to face Toronto at home next week in his next scheduled start.

Houck (5-9) earned the win over the Yankees in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader. He allowed four hits and issued three walks while striking out seven batters over six scoreless innings.

Houck excelled in the outing, racking up 19 whiffs and seven punchouts. He finished without yielding a run for the first time if 18 starts this season, bouncing back nicely from a five-run, 5.1-inning performance against Baltimore his previous time out. Houck also notched his first quality start since June 10, which was one appearance prior to a start June 16 during which he suffered a facial fracture that kept him out of action for over two months. The right-hander has compiled a 4.94 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB over 93 innings overall this season.

Miller is listed as the Athletics' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Padres.

The Athletics plan to be cautious with Miller's usage for the rest of 2023 after he recently returned from a UCL sprain in his elbow that kept him on the shelf for most of the season, so he'll likely work anywhere between 1-to-3 innings Saturday before turning the game over to the bullpen. He excelled in his most recent turn as an opener in front of Ken Waldichuk in Monday's win over Houston, striking out three while allowing no runs on one hit and one walk over two innings. Waldichuk is listed as the Athletics' starter for Sunday's series finale with the Padres, so Miller will likely be opening for Luis Medina on Saturday.

Gipson-Long is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

As expected, Gipson-Long will stick around with the big club to make a second turn through the rotation after he limited the White Sox to two runs while striking out five over five innings en route to picking up a win in his MLB debut. Gipson-Long showcased swing-and-miss stuff during stops at Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo prior to getting called up last weekend, but his lack of prospect pedigree and minimal MLB experience still make him a risky streaming option against the Angels.

Wentz is scheduled to pitch either as a starter or bulk reliever in Sunday's game against the Angels, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Wentz faltered in his return to the rotation Tuesday, failing to escape the third inning in his start against the Reds while allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks. The Tigers still plan to keep Wentz in the fold as part of a six-man rotation, though manager A.J. Hinch could elect to deploy the lefty behind an opener Sunday with the hope of coaxing better results from him. In four appearances out of the bullpen this season, Wentz has turned in a 4.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 12.7 K-BB% over 15.1 innings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Weaver could start a game this weekend in Pittsburgh, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Weaver was claimed off waivers from the Mariners on Tuesday and officially joined the Yankees' active roster for the second half of Thursday's doubleheader in Boston. The 30-year-old right-hander has struggled to a 6.77 ERA in 110.1 major-league innings this season and should probably be ignored in the majority of fantasy leagues, regardless of his role.