MLB Player News

Kremer (12-5) earned the victory over Toronto on Wednesday, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six scoreless innings.

Kremer had originally been scheduled to start Thursday, but he was moved up a day as a result of Jack Flaherty (general soreness) being scratched. The adjustment didn't faze Kremer, who picked up his third straight quality start and his first scoreless outing since May 10. The right-hander has been pitching well since ending June with a three-inning, seven-run blow-up, posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB over his subsequent nine starts covering 63 frames.

Urquidy allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Urquidy needed 100 pitches (61 strikes) in this appearance, which came after his last outing was a two-inning relief stint against the Mariners on Friday. The right-hander has struggled to get in form this season -- this was the fourth time in 10 appearances he's allowed at least four runs. He's at a 5.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB through 42.2 innings. Urquidy is tentatively lined up for a road rematch in Boston next week if the Astros continue to roll out a six-man rotation.

Sale allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Sale built up to 80 pitches (53 strikes) in his third start back from a shoulder injury. While the surface numbers were unimpressive -- though also against the toughest opponent he's faced since his return -- his velocity rebounded to an average of 93.9 mph on his fastball after it sat at 91.8 mph last Thursday. The southpaw is at a 4.68 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 90:19 K:BB through 73 innings across 14 starts this season, and his pitch count Wednesday suggests he's close to shedding any workload restrictions. His next projected start is expected to be a rematch with the Astros at home early next week.

Skubal allowed four runs on six hits across six innings and did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cubs. He walked one and struck out seven.

Skubal pitched decently against a hot Chicago lineup, but it wasn't enough for his fourth win of the season. The lefty did manage to complete six innings for the second straight start after not going six frames in any of his previous seven appearances. Skubal will look for win No. 4 the next time he takes the hill, which is currently scheduled for Tuesday against the struggling Yankees.

Ragans (5-4) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two hits over six scoreless innings while striking out 11 in a 4-0 win over Oakland.

Ragans blanked the A's for six innings Wednesday, matching a season high with 11 strikeouts en route to his third win in his last five starts. The 25-year-old southpaw has been quietly excellent since he was recalled from Triple-A on Aug. 2, pitching to a 1.93 ERA while recording 44 strikeouts in five starts (32.2 innings). Ragans' ERA is down to 3.66 with a 1.27 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 59 innings between Kansas City and Texas this season. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week against Pittsburgh.

Kirby did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings against the White Sox. He struck out nine.

Kirby's now gone four starts (27.2 innings) without issuing a walk. He held the White Sox to one run through his first five innings Wednesday, working his way through traffic thanks to his nine strikeouts. However, Trayce Thompson's two-run homer ended Kirby's outing with two outs in the sixth. The 25-year-old right-hander's allowed seven runs over his last two starts (11.2 innings), though he still sports a 2.89 ERA with 49:3 K:BB in his last seven outings. Overall, Kirby's 10-8 across 25 starts (156.1 innings) this season with a 3.28 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He's currently in line for a home matchup with the Athletics early next week.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Flaherty is dealing with "general soreness," Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Hyde downplayed it as a typical between-starts issue and noted that Flaherty just needs a bit more rest, though it's unclear when the 27-year-old right-hander will slot into the rotation again. Dean Kremer got the start in his place Wednesday versus the Blue Jays and Flaherty seems unlikely to be rushed back for Thursday's series finale. He'll be re-evaluated heading into the O's three-game weekend series against the Rockies.

Flaherty said Wednesday that he doesn't know when he'll make his next start after he dealt with an unspecified issue during his most recent outing Aug. 15 in San Diego, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Flaherty had been scheduled to take the mound for the Orioles on Wednesday versus the Blue Jays, but he ended up being scratched and later told reporters that he didn't "bounce back" well following his last turn in the rotation. Asked whether he was scratched for physical or mechanical reasons, the 27-year-old right-hander declined to get into specifics. He has surrendered 11 earned runs in 14 innings (three starts) since being acquired from the Cardinals on Aug. 1.

Kopech is considered day-to-day after exiting prior to the fifth inning of Wednesday's game versus the Mariners due to leg cramps.

Kopech apparently began experiencing cramps as he tried to warm up before the top of the fifth. He scattered four walks and one hit over four scoreless innings while striking out five prior to his departure. The 27-year-old right-hander is currently lined up to take the mound again in Monday's series opener at Baltimore, though he could require a day or two of extra rest. Either way, he doesn't seem to be dealing with an overly serious concern.

Kopech was removed from his start Wednesday against the Mariners due to an apparent injury, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kopech threw five warmup tosses before the top of the fifth inning and didn't look quite right. White Sox manager Pedro Grifol then visited the mound with a trainer and the 27-year-old right-hander was lifted following a brief chat. He appeared to be shaking out his arm as he made his way to the dugout. Kopech worked four scoreless innings versus Seattle prior to his departure, scattering four walks and one hit while striking out five.