MLB Player News

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.

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.