MLB Player News

Giolito (2-2) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against Kansas City. He struck out nine.

Giolito has pitched at least six innings while allowing two runs or less in three straight starts. Tuesday was the only time he managed a win, though. Vinnie Pasquantino delivered two run-producing hits off Giolito, but that was the extent of the damage. The righty has a 3.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2023.

Kirby (4-2) scattered six hits and struck out nine batters over seven shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Rangers.

Kirby threw 75 of 101 pitches for strikes, which included a solid 11 whiffs. The nine strikeouts were a season high for Kirby in what was his sixth straight quality start. He's gone at least seven innings in each of his last three outings. For the season, he owns a 2.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 35:3 K:BB over 44.2 innings through seven starts. He'll look to keep rolling in his next turn, tentatively projected to be a road start in Boston next week.

Heaney (2-3) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.

Heaney put in a solid effort, but the Rangers couldn't do anything with their seven hits in the contest. The southpaw's trouble with the long ball continued Tuesday when he gave up a seventh-inning blast to Tom Murphy, the sixth home run he's allowed over his last three starts. Heaney has a 5.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB through 36 innings over seven starts this season. He's projected for a favorable weekend start in Oakland.

Valdez (3-4) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits over eight innings against the Angels. He struck out 12.

Valdez delivered his best outing of the season in a showdown with Shohei Ohtani. Valdez posted season highs in innings and strikeouts, punctuating the evening by sitting down Mike Trout on three pitches in the eighth. Valdez has been a tough-luck loser this season with four losses despite never allowing more than three runs. The Astros offense ranks 27th in OPS, giving Valdez less margin for error so far.

Varland did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Padres. He struck out six.

Varland made his second consecutive start Tuesday, taking advantage of Tyler Mahle's (elbow) and Kenta Maeda's (triceps) injuries by turning in his best outing of the season. After giving up four home runs across his first two starts of 2023, Varland allowed just one extra-base hit while keeping the ball in the park against San Diego. Though it's unclear how long Varland will remain in the rotation, he is expected to take the mound at least once more and should be an intriguing streaming option considering he has racked up at least six strikeouts in each of his three starts this season.

Schmidt (1-3) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Athletics. He struck out seven.

Schmidt made it six innings for the first time all season, fanning seven batters and allowing just two runs to earn his first win. However, Schmidt's trouble with power sustained, as he gave up a solo home run to Jordan Diaz in the fourth inning, marking his eighth long ball allowed in as many starts. Though Schmidt will likely find himself on the outside looking in on the Yankees rotation once Carlos Rodon (back) and Luis Severino (lat) return from the injured list, he should remain a high-risk, high-reward streaming option given his high strikeout rate (10.95 K/9).

Eflin (4-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

Baltimore tallied three runs against Eflin in the third inning and another in the fourth, handing the 29-year-old right-hander his first loss of the season. It's also the first time Eflin has allowed more than three runs in a start this season. He still has a solid 2.91 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 35:4 K:BB through six starts (34 innings) in his first season with Tampa Bay. Eflin will look to get back in the win column in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week against the Yankees.

Rucinski (0-3) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 10-5 loss to the Yankees. He struck out two.

Though Rucinski managed to make it through the first two innings without a blemish, he could not bring the early success into the third, walking Jose Trevino and Aaron Hicks to open up what would become a five-run inning. Despite the rough frame, Rucinski did not allow a single extra-base hit, instead giving up four singles, a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly. The rest of the damage came in the seventh, when Gleyber Torres launched a two-run homer that plated Anthony Rizzo. Rucinski picked up his third loss in as many starts, dropping his ERA on the season to 8.16. Considering Rucinski has struck out just six batters in 14.1 innings, the right-hander should remain firmly out of fantasy consideration.

Rodriguez (2-0) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out four.

Rodriguez held the first-place Rays at bay for the majority of Tuesday's outing, allowing just a pair of solo home runs as he improved to 2-0. The home-run ball has hurt Rodriguez recently -- he's allowed five homers in his last two starts (seven innings). He now sports a 5.08 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through his first seven MLB starts. The 23-year-old Rodriguez is currently lined up to face the Angels at home in his next outing.

Lorenzen (1-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing a run on five hits over seven innings against the Guardians. He struck out three.

Lorenzen was excellent Tuesday, but he'd ultimately take the loss as the Tigers' offense couldn't get him any support against Shane Bieber. The 31-year-old Lorenzen has pitched seven innings in each of his last two starts, allowing just two runs on nine hits in that span. He now has a 4.18 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB through 28 innings this season.