MLB Player News

Bello (8-7) took the loss Saturday as the Red Sox fell 6-2 to the Tigers, giving up four runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander got taken deep by Kerry Carpenter in the second inning and Eric Haase in the fifth, continuing a recent trend that has seen Bello serve up 10 homers in seven starts since the beginning of July. Over that stretch, he's been saddled with a 5.19 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB through 40.1 innings. Bello could have a tough time keeping the ball in the park in his next outing as well, which is likely to come next weekend in Yankee Stadium.

Williams did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings against the Rays. He struck out 10.

Williams allowed four baserunners over the first three frames but managed to avoid any damage until the bottom of the fourth when he hung a curveball in the middle of the zone, which Luke Raley sent over the wall in center field to tie the game at 1-1. Aside from that hiccup, the rookie right-hander continued to look like a future ace Saturday, racking up double-digit strikeouts for the second straight outing while not issuing a walk for the first time in 10 starts this season. Williams now holds a 1.59 ERA to go along with a 28:5 K:BB through three August starts.

Manning (4-4) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings in a 6-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out only one.

The right-hander wasn't dominant, managing only seven swinging strikes among his 90 pitches, but Manning produced plenty of weak contact as he won his first game in over a month. He also kept the ball in the park, a big improvement after he'd served up six homers over his last three starts. Since the All-Star break, he carries a 5.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through 29.2 innings, and he'll look to claw back that ERA further in his next outing, likely to come next weekend in Cleveland.

Bassitt did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out six.

Bassitt got off to a solid start, striking out four of the first seven batters he faced before surrendering a leadoff double to Nico Hoerner in the top of the fourth. The right-hander then proceeded to give up a walk, a single and a three-run homer in the next three at-bats, putting Toronto in a 4-1 hole. Bassitt has now allowed a home run and at least two walks in each of his last four starts, though he was able to make it through six frames in three of those outings. He's also recorded six or more strikeouts in four straight.

Anderson (5-4) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings.

Anderson got through three scoreless frames before the Astros struck for four runs in the fourth, with three coming on a Kyle Tucker homer. The left-hander then allowed four straight hitters to reach base with two outs in the fifth, three of whom came around to score. Anderson looked like he might be turning things around in his past two starts coming into Saturday, as he had allowed just three runs over 11.1 frames. However, he's been disappointing as a whole after signing with the Angels in the offseason, posting a 5.28 ERA and and 1.52 WHIP across 109 innings.

France (9-3) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

France was back in the rotation Saturday after a temporary move to the bullpen following his previous start. The right-hander continued to hum along, picking up his fifth win over his past five outings. Excluding an effective 3.1-inning relief appearance last Sunday against New York, France has picked up four straight quality starts, going exactly seven innings in each instance. He's given up more than three earned runs in an outing only twice over 17 appearances on the campaign, with his last such performance coming all the way back on May 29. The only knock on him from a fantasy perspective has been his below-average strikeout numbers, but France has still been a valuable rotation piece with nine victories, a 2.74 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

Kirby allowed just three hits and struck out seven over nine scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Saturday.

Kirby brought his best against the American League's top team, but he came away with nothing despite the gem. He faced just 29 batters, erasing one of the three hits he surrendered on a double play. Kirby also threw 73 of 103 pitches for strikes, again showcasing his high-end control. The right-hander now has a 3.11 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 131:14 K:BB through 144.2 innings over 23 starts on the year. He's lined up for a favorable road start in Kansas City next week.

Irvin allowed two hits and a walk while striking out six over five shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

Irvin was solid in his first start since the All-Star break. The southpaw threw 52 of 67 pitches for strikes and went toe-to-toe with Mariners starter George Kirby over the first five frames, while the Orioles' bullpen held on the rest of the way. Irvin is at a 4.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB through 53 innings over 17 appearances (nine starts) this year. With Baltimore moving to a six-man rotation for a while, it's safe to assume Irvin will get another start, tentatively set for a favorable road matchup versus his former team, the Athletics, next weekend.

Heaney allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy explained after the game that Heaney was under the weather and missed his bullpen session during the week. Bochy added Heaney was on a short leash, and he quickly worked into a jam in the second inning before Grant Anderson was brought in to relieve him. This was Heaney's shortest outing since his season debut, though the extenuating circumstances shouldn't be an issue going forward. The southpaw is at a 4.17 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 119:47 K:BB through 114.1 innings over 23 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Brewers next week.

Ragans (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings against St. Louis. He struck out five.

Ragans made his fourth start of the season Saturday and entered the contest having allowed just two runs in 17.2 innings to go along with a 22:4 K:BB as a starter, but he struggled mightily against the Cardinals. He served up four runs while setting a season high in walks and tying his season high in hits allowed. Ragans is tentatively scheduled for a start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field next week.