MLB Player News

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.

France (9-4) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings in a 2-0 loss against the Mariners. He struck out seven.

France continues to pitch well in his first major-league season but was outmatched in a pitchers' duel by fellow rookie Bryce Miller. France has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last 13 starts and has gone at least six innings in 11 of those 13 appearances. He's currently projected to face the Red Sox next week in the friendly confines of Minute Maid Park.

Miller (8-4) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and one walk over 6.1 scoreless innings against Houston. He struck out two.

It was the first quality start for Miller since June 18, but the third consecutive start in which he's allowed one or fewer earned runs. Miller was efficient in tossing 82 pitches while working into the seventh but was pulled with one out in the inning following an error by shortstop Jose Caballero. The Mariners bullpen prevented any more damage and preserved the win for the rookie right-hander. Miller is projected to next take the hill on the road in a matchup against the White Sox.

Lopez (9-6) earned the win Friday, allowing six hits and two walks over six scoreless innings against the Pirates. He struck out seven.

The right-hander threw 99 pitches to earn his ninth win of the season. Lopez has now won all four of his August starts and has gone at least six innings in each, allowing only one earned run with a 27:3 K:BB in 25 innings. He'll look to continue his run of dominance in what is projected to be a much tougher test next week at home against the Rangers.

Medina allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out one and walking none over three innings as a bulk reliever Friday versus the Orioles.

Medina's gone fewer than five innings in each of his last three outings, with the prior two appearances being traditional starts, and it appears the Athletics may be slowing him down as he approaches a career-high workload. He's already covered 99.1 innings between the majors and Triple-A this season, while his career high is 106.1 innings in 2021. Medina's also had a couple of rough performances lately, which has put him at a 5.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 84:43 K:BB over 18 appearances (13 starts). The right-hander tentatively lines him up for a home outing against the Royals next week.

Gibson (12-7) allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.

Gibson wasn't great, but he managed to avoid walking a batter and also kept the ball in the yard. The Orioles' offense did the rest, carrying him to his third win in his last four starts. The right-hander has given up 17 runs over 23.1 innings in that span and now has a 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 127:45 K:BB through 150.1 innings over 26 starts this year. Gibson is projected for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

Heaney did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 3.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out three.

The veteran lefty allowed all three of his runs in the third inning on three doubles and a single, then was pulled with two outs and one man on in the fourth after 84 pitches. Heaney maintains a decent 4.27 ERA with nine wins and 122 strikeouts in 118 innings on the season for the first-place Rangers. However, in his last two starts he's allowed 13 baserunners and four runs over just five innings. Manager Bruce Bochy noted Heaney was under the weather and did not throw a bullpen prior to his previous start against San Francisco, per Kennedi Landri of MLB.com, but there were no such concerns Friday. The manager chalked up the short outing to poor command. Heaney will look to regain his form next week in Minnesota.

Kopech (5-11) yielded nine runs on six hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out one and taking a loss against the Rockies.

Kopech served up three homers in Friday's brutal outing. He also continues to struggle with his command; over his last 10 starts, Kopech has registered an unsightly 32:43 K:BB over 42.1 frames. His season ERA climbed to 5.12 through 23 starts. The 27-year-olf righty is currently projected to start at home against Seattle next week.

Brito (4-6) took the loss Friday, yielding seven runs (six earned) on nine hits over just 2.1 frames against the Red Sox. He struck out one.

The Red Sox jumped on Brito early and often, as each of the first four batters of the game reached and scored. He labored in the second inning as well, ultimately needing 46 pitches to cover his 2.1 innings. With Carlos Rodon (hamstring) set to return early next week and Luis Severino remaining in the rotation for now, Brito could be headed back to the minors.

Bello (9-7) allowed one run on six hits and one walk over six innings Friday, picking up a win over the Yankees. He struck out four.

Bello's teammates gifted him four runs in the top of the first inning before he threw a pitch and the young right-hander was on cruise control all night. He induced 10 swinging strikes on 98 pitches, with the only tally against him coming on a fielder's choice in the third. Bello has alternated good and bad starts in the second half as he has lacked the consistency he showed prior to the All-Star break, posting a 5.03 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB over his last 39.1 innings.