MLB Player News

Gilbert (11-5) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk over six innings against the Astros. He struck out three.

Gilbert turned in his fourth quality start of his last five appearances, allowing just two runners to score despite surrendering eight hits Saturday. The win was his 11th of the campaign -- tied for the 10th most in MLB -- and marked his ninth consecutive start that didn't result in a loss. Over that stretch, Gilbert owns a 3.07 ERA and a 53:8 K:BB in 55.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start against the Royals, who chased him after 4.1 innings the last time they met.

Valdez (9-9) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.

Valdez struggled to get through the Mariners lineup, giving up a season-high 10 hits and tying his season high in runs allowed. He struggled mightily with power, giving up five extra-base hits on the day, including a two-run home run to Dylan Moore in the fifth. Since throwing a no-hitter on Aug. 1, Valdez owns a 6.86 ERA, 12:5 K:BB and 2.3 HR/9 over 19.2 innings. He's set up for a bounce-back opportunity in his next projected start, which is tentatively scheduled to come against the Tigers in Detroit.

Crawford (6-6) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over six innings against the Yankees while striking out five.

Crawford didn't allow a hit until the bottom of the sixth when Giancarlo Stanton tagged him for a solo home run on a hanging four-seamer. That would be the only hit surrendered by the right-hander on the afternoon as the Red Sox backed him with plenty of run support to help him earn his sixth win of the season. Crawford has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, while Saturday marked just the fourth time this season in which he's hurled at least six innings.

Cole dropped to 10-4 on the season in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Red Sox, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Cole unraveled in the second inning, giving up back-to-back singles and a walk to open the frame before surrendering a grand slam to Luis Urias. The right-hander would last just four innings, marking his shortest outing of the season, while also allowing a season-high six earned runs. He came into Saturday's contest having not allowed two home runs in a start since May 28, and he's now lost his last two decisions (spanning three starts).

Manoah has yet to pitch for Triple-A Buffalo since being demoted eight days ago, with the Blue Jays still working out when he'll return to the mound, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah isn't dealing with any reported injuries this season but has seen his effectiveness completely evaporate, going from a 2.24 ERA and 0.99 WHIP last season to a 5.87 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 2023. He's been demoted on two separate occasions, and the Blue Jays are seemingly in no rush to get him back in the big-league rotation. It's hard to count on him even returning at all this season, let alone returning and pitching at a high level. Perhaps the patient approach the Jays are taking helps him return to viability next season.

Houck (face) will be activated to start Monday or Tuesday in Houston, MLB.com reports.

Houck was sharp in his third and final rehab start Wednesday, firing four scoreless innings and allowing one hit and no walks while striking out four. He threw 59 pitches Wednesday, which means the Red Sox may have him on a limited pitch count when he starts against the Astros.

Williams (1-4) took the loss Friday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Tigers, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The rookie right-hander rebounded well after getting tagged for three runs in the first inning, eventually generating 31 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches, but the Guardians were never able to close the gap. It's the first time Williams has allowed more than two runs in an outing since his final start before the All-Star break, and he's posted a 2.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 35 innings in the second half. He'll look for a better result in his next start, a home matchup next week against the Dodgers.

Wentz came away with a no-decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The lefty didn't let a Cleveland baserunner get past second base as he got 17 swinging strikes among his 83 pitches, but a Jose Cisnero meltdown in the eighth inning cost Wentz his third win of the season. With Alex Faedo holding down the fifth starter spot for the Tigers, Wentz will likely head back to Triple-A Toledo, but he'll likely see more big-league action before the season is done -- Detroit plays 13 games in 13 days in the middle of September. Wentz has held the opposition scoreless in two of three MLB appearances since the All-Star break, but he got hammered for eight runs over three innings by the Twins in the third outing.

Anderson allowed five runs on six hits and two walks over four-plus innings in Friday's loss to the Rays. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Anderson gave up one run through three innings before the Rays broke through with a three-run fourth. He's been charged with 12 runs over his last 8.2 innings, raising his season ERA from 4.92 to 5.50 in the process. His record still sits at 5-4 next to a lackluster 95:49 K:BB through 113 frames. Anderson's next outing is projected to be on the road against the Mets next week.

Skubal (3-2) picked up the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw delivered his first quality start in eight outings this season, generating 33 called or swinging strikes on only 88 pitches in a dominant performance. Skubal is now consistently tossing around 90 pitches after having his workload capped in July following his return from flexor tendon surgery, and he's posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB through 16.2 innings over three August trips to the mound. His next start lines up for a home tilt next week against the Cubs.