MLB Player News

McKenzie (0-1) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

McKenzie dazzled in his season debut against Minnesota last Sunday, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 batters over five scoreless innings. He looked far more mortal Saturday, surrendering three runs in the first frame and two more in the fourth en route to the loss. On the plus side, McKenzie missed plenty of bats in inducing 15 swinging strikes, so there's evidence to suggest that his previous start wasn't a mirage. The right-hander is tentatively lined up for a road start in Arizona his next time out.

France (2-1) picked up the win against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and six walks while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

France allowed 11 batters to reach base through six frames, but he managed to yield just one run thanks largely to three double plays behind him. The right-hander finally succumbed to the onslaught of baserunners when he was charged with two runs in the seventh, but the Astros' offense gave him enough of a cushion to allow him to end up in the win column. France's six walks doubled his previous career-high mark, and he threw just 56 of 105 pitches for strikes, so this wasn't the typical stat line of a pitcher who picks up a quality start. Still, France should be commended for getting big outs when needed, and he's now given up three or fewer earned runs in five of his first seven MLB outings.

Ryan didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander delivered his 10th quality start of the season on 84 pitches (56 strikes), but Ryan exited the game in line for his fourth loss before Minnesota's bats came alive in the late innings. He'll take a 2.90 ERA and 84:15 K:BB through 77.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come at home next weekend against the Tigers.

Bradley (4-3) took the loss against Texas on Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings.

This was the shortest outing through eight big-league starts for Bradley, who came into the contest having allowed just two earned runs over his previous 10.2 frames. The right-hander was largely responsible for his own demise Saturday, as he walked a season-high four batters, three of whom came around to score. Bradley issued just five free passes across his first 30 innings, but he's walked seven over his subsequent 8.2 frames, and it may be critical to his sustained success that he's able to regain good control. However, Saturday's rough outing probably isn't reason to panic, as it came across a tough Texas squad that leads MLB in scoring on the season.

Eovaldi (9-2) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 6.1 innings.

This won't go down as one of Eovaldi's best starts this season, but he was staked to an early lead and cruised to the win, with the only hiccup being a four-run fourth inning by the Rays. Eovaldi is now tied with Tampa Bay ace Shane McClanahan for the MLB lead in victories on the campaign, and he hasn't been stuck with a loss since April 12. The right-hander's 2.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP are easily the best marks of his career.

Sandoval (3-6) took the loss Saturday versus the Mariners, surrendering five runs on 10 hits while striking out eight and walking none over five innings.

This was the third time in 12 starts that he hasn't walked a batter, and the eight strikeouts was a season high, but that's where the good news ends. He's given up 11 runs over his last 8.1 innings, and while struggling in Houston isn't too surprising, Sandoval's work against the Mariners wasn't great. The southpaw now has a 4.52 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 48:25 K:BB through 63.2 innings this season. He's lined up for a favorable road start in Kansas City next week.

Woo allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over 4.2 innings in a no-decision during Saturday's 6-2 win over the Angels.

After getting tagged for six runs in two innings in his debut versus Texas, Woo was much improved against another AL West rival. He still needed 81 pitches (56 strikes) to get 14 outs, falling one-third of an inning short of qualifying for his first win. The blemish on his line Saturday was a two-run home run from Shohei Ohtani. Woo has managed an 11:2 K:BB over 6.2 innings to begin his major-league career -- his strikeout stuff has carried over from Double-A Arkansas, where he racked up 59 strikeouts in 44 innings this season. Assuming he gets another start, he's tentatively projected to face the White Sox in Seattle next week.

Houck (3-6) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Yankees.

While Houck did well to limit baserunners, two of the three hits he allowed left the yard, and the Red Sox's offense couldn't overcome that. This was Houck's third quality start of the season, and a solid bounce-back effort after he was tagged for eight runs in nine innings over his last two starts. The right-hander still doesn't have great numbers on the surface with a 5.23 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with a 62:22 K:BB over 63.2 innings this season. He's projected for a home start next week in a rematch with the Yankees.

Maeda (triceps) threw four scoreless innings in his rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. He allowed three hits and struck out five.

Maeda has now made three rehab starts with the Saints, and this one was his best. The right-hander is working his way back from the triceps strain that has limited him to just 16 innings and four starts in the 2023 campaign. Assuming there's a good health report after this outing, it seems very plausible that Maeda's next start will be made as a member of the Twins.

German (4-3) allowed a run on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings to earn the win Saturday over the Red Sox.

German limited the damage to a Rafael Devers solo home run in the sixth inning. While German has given up a homer in each of his last three starts, he's been able to cover 19 innings while allowing just six runs in that span. The right-hander has a solid 3.49 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP and 64:21 K:BB through 67 innings over 12 starts this season, emerging as a reliable innings-eater. He's lined up for a rematch with the Red Sox in Boston next week.