MLB Player News

Blackburn (3-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-0 victory over the Cardinals, allowing six hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

In his best performance of the season, Blackburn generated 33 called or swinging strikes on just 86 pitches, and he only ran into trouble in two frames -- he escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the second, then Luken Baker got thrown out at home in the seventh on a one-out double. Since getting rocked by the Red Sox in his first outing after the All-Star break, Blackburn has been sharp, posting a 2.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 30 innings over his last five starts. He'll look to keep rolling when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come at home early next week against the Royals.

Eovaldi (forearm) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi has thrown two encouraging bullpen sessions this week, including Wednesday when he worked the equivalent of two innings. The Rangers presumably will check to see how the right-hander is feeling following this weekend's session before deciding on next steps.

Maeda did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against the Tigers. He struck out six.

Maeda struck out four batters over the first two innings and appeared to be on track for his third quality start in a row. However, the right-hander ran into trouble in the top of the third after allowing a leadoff single to Akil Baddoo, which would be followed by home runs from Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson in two of the next three at-bats. Maeda had gone at least five innings in each of his previous five starts coming in, and the seven hits allowed Wednesday were the most he's given up since April 26. Despite the poor outing, he still holds a 2.81 ERA to go along with a healthy 17:2 K:BB through three starts this month.

Clevinger settled for a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over seven scoreless innings.

Clevinger was dominant in the outing, holding the crosstown rivals without an extra-base hit in a season-high seven frames. He departed with a a three-run lead but lost his chance at a victory when the White Sox's bullpen gave up three ninth-inning runs. Clevinger nonetheless finished with his second consecutive quality start, and he's allowed just one run while posting a 13:5 K:BB over 13 frames during that stretch. The veteran will look to keep rolling in his next matchup, which is projected to come at home against Seattle.

Gray dropped to 8-6 on the season in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Angels after allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters across seven innings.

Gray gave up a solo homer to Shohei Ohtani in the first inning but kept Los Angeles off the scoreboard for the rest of his outing. However, Reid Detmers and a pair of Angels relievers shut down the Rangers' potent offense, saddling Gray with first loss since July 5. Despite the defeat, the right-hander picked up his second straight quality start, and he's allowed just one run over 14 frames during that stretch. He appears to be back on track after giving up 11 runs over 10.1 innings across his previous two starts.

Detmers (3-9) earned the win Wednesday in the Angels' 2-0 victory over Texas, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out five batters over 7.1 scoreless innings.

Detmers came into the contest having allowed 14 earned runs over his previous two outings covering just 6.1 frames, so it made perfect sense that he shut down one of the league's top scoring offenses in a dominant effort Wednesday. The left-handed hurler made a push for his second career no-hitter, holding the Rangers without a base knock until Marcus Semien got to him for a one-out double in the eighth inning. That was the last batter Detmers faced, and the Angels' bullpen completed the shutout to give the 24-year-old his first win since July 2. This type of outing is a good reminder of Detmers' potential, though he's been frustratingly up-and-down this season and has pitched to a mediocre 4.93 ERA and 1.37 WHIP despite a career-best 10.6 K/9.

Vasquez (2-2) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings.

After working in bulk relief in his previous outing, Vasquez got a traditional start Wednesday. The right-hander served up a two-run homer to Eddie Rosario in the second inning, which was enough to saddle him with the loss on a day when New York was shut out for the second straight game. Aside from the long ball, Vasquez gave up only one other hit, but he also walked three batters and needed 60 pitches to get through 3.1 frames. The Yankees' rotation is extremely thin right now with Nestor Cortes (shoulder) out at least another month, Carlos Rodon (hamstring) not eligible to return from the IL until next Tuesday and Domingo German (personal) out for the season, so Vasquez could be needed to fill a spot in the rotation -- either in bulk relief or as a traditional starter -- for the immediate future.

Kremer dropped to 11-5 after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Padres.

Kremer turned in a baseline quality start, with just a rough third inning tarnishing his line. He's allowed no more than three runs in any of his last five starts, giving up 11 runs over 29.1 innings in that span. For the season, he's posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 124:43 K:BB through 138 innings over 25 starts. The right-hander should get a little extra time to shake off this loss with Baltimore recently transitioning to a six-man rotation. He's lined up for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.

Verlander (8-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks over five innings in a 12-5 win over the Marlins. He struck out two.

It wasn't Verlander's best effort, though he did enough to earn his second win thanks to Houston's offensive outburst. It's the first time in three starts that Verlander failed to make it through six innings since rejoining the Astros at the trade deadline. Overall, the veteran right-hander has a 3.36 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 94:35 K:BB across 19 starts (112.1 innings) between the Astros and Mets. Verlander currently lines up for a home matchup with the Red Sox in his next outing.

Marsh allowed a run on four hits and five walks while striking out six over five innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.

Marsh worked behind opener James McArthur, who allowed three runs in a shaky first inning. Given that he allowed a season-high five walks, it could have been a much worse outing for Marsh, who was working in relief for the third time in his nine appearances this season. He remains in search of his first win (0-6) with a 5.68 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 41:24 K:BB through 38 innings. The Royals are just playing out the string, so the 25-year-old should continue to function as a member of the rotation. He's tentatively projected for a favorable road outing versus Oakland next week.