MLB Player News

Cease (6-7) earned the win Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Cease got off to a horrendous start, allowing four runs on four hits in the first inning while also hitting Cedric Mullins with a pitch. He then surrendered a solo shot to Anthony Santander to open the third before hurling three scoreless frames to finish the day. The right-hander has now allowed at least five runs in back-to-back starts and has given up at least four runs in three straight. Furthermore, he's walked multiple batters in each of his last nine starts and holds an unflattering 33:22 K:BB in August.

Crawford (6-7) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings as the Red Sox fell 7-4 to the Astros. He struck out only one.

After a calm 1-2-3 first inning, Crawford quickly fell apart and get the hook after 46 pitches. The right-hander hadn't given up more than three runs in a start since July 21, but the sour ending to August leaves him with a 4.73 ERA on the month despite a 1.28 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 26.2 innings. Crawford will look to rebound in his next outing, likely to come on the road early next week in Tampa Bay.

Valdez (10-9) picked up the win in Wednesday's 7-4 victory over the Red Sox, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The southpaw blanked Boston for five frames before fading in the sixth, but a Jeremy Pena error helped reduce the damage to his ERA and Houston had already piled up a seven-run lead. It's Valdez's first win since his no-hitter Aug. 1 against the Guardians, with the two outings bookending a month in which he posted a 3.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 41.2 innings. Valdez will look to take some momentum into his next start, which is likely to come early next week on the road against the Rangers.

Eflin pitched 6.1 scoreless innings against Miami on Wednesday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision.

Eflin was excellent in the outing, preventing the Marlins from putting on more than one baserunner in any inning. The right-hander notched his third straight quality start and was very efficient with just 69 pitches over 6.1 frames but had to settle for a no-decision since Miami starter Jesus Luzardo was nearly unhittable. Eflin lowered his season ERA to 3.40 with the standout start, and he's already set a career high with 13 victories. He's bounced back well from a three-inning, six-run dud against Cleveland on Aug. 13, posting a 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 18.1 frames over his subsequent three starts.

Dunning allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.

All of the damage against Dunning came in the second inning, when he gave up three runs, two of which came on back-to-back long balls by Daniel Vogelbach and DJ Stewart. Though Dunning put up a zero in each of his other frames, he needed 74 pitches to get through four innings and didn't make it to the mound for the fifth. The right-hander began August by posting a 2.18 ERA and 29:4 K:BB over 20.2 frames across his first three starts, but he ended the month much less positively, allowing 10 runs while recording a 14:9 K:BB across 11 innings over his past three appearances.

Cole (12-4) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Cole wasn't overpowering in the effort -- he recorded a modest nine swinging strikes and seven punchouts -- but he walked away with his second straight victory following a rough four-inning, six-run loss to Boston on Aug. 19. The right-hander collected his league-leading 20th quality start, with seven of those coming in his nine outings since the All-Star break. Cole also ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (188), second in ERA (2.95) and fourth in WHIP (1.04).

Wentz tossed five innings as the bulk pitcher in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Yankees. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.

The six strikeouts were nice, but Wentz was largely ineffective once again, pushing his season ERA to 6.65, which would be the worst in the majors if he qualified. Three home runs accounted for most of the damage, and he's now allowed 21 long balls this season in 89.1 innings. Wentz may continue to get some chances as a starter or bulk reliever down the stretch, but he can be avoided in fantasy given his struggles.

Bassitt (13-7) earned the win Wednesday, allowing three hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings against Washington. He struck out three.

It was a rebound performance from Bassitt after he was tagged for four runs over 5.2 innings in a loss to Cleveland in his prior start. The 34-year-old right-hander had been somewhat inconsistent recently, pitching to a 5.09 ERA in his previous three starts coming into Wednesday (17.2 innings). Overall, Bassitt sports a 3.81 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 151:52 K:BB across 28 starts (165.1 innings) this season. He's currently in line for a road matchup with the A's in his next start.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Miller (elbow) will likely make one more rehab start, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller topped 100 mph eight different times while tallying three strikeouts in a scoreless inning Tuesday with Triple-A Las Vegas, but the outing only lasted 29 pitches and the A's want him to build up a bit more on the farm. The 25-year-old has been on the major-league injured list since early May because of a UCL sprain in his right elbow.

Oakland outrighted Watkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

Watkins was lit up in his lone major-league appearance for the Athletics this season, yielding five earned runs over 4.1 innings in an Aug. 15 start at St. Louis. The 31-year-old right-hander is officially off the 40-man roster.