MLB Player News

Ray (12-8) earned the win during Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing six hits while recording three strikeouts across six shutout innings.

Ray permitted two hits in each of the first, third and fifth innings but kept Cleveland off the board with the help of a pickoff and double play. The 30-year-old's impressive August carried into September as he's now surrendered just six runs in 39 innings across his last six starts -- good for a 1.38 ERA. Saturday's three strikeouts mark his lowest total during the stretch, though he still induced a healthy 10 swinging strikes on 87 pitches. Ray carries a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come against at home against Atlanta next weekend.

Crawford was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to Sept. 1, with a right shoulder impingement.

The 26-year-old had already been scratched from Sunday's scheduled start against the Rangers due to the injury, and he'll end up missing some additional time. Crawford's shoulder injury doesn't seem to be overly severe, as manager Alex Cora said he's hopeful that the right-hander will require a minimum-length stay on the IL, per Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican. Josh Winckowski was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move and will start Sunday in Crawford's stead.

Whitlock allowed three runs on four hits while striking out three over two innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Whitlock followed starter Brayan Bello, who pitched six cruised innings. Whitlock cruised through the seventh before adversity struck in the eighth. He was tagged for a single, two home runs and flyout that Alex Verdugo tracked down in front of the bullpen in right field. It was the second consecutive game in which Whitlock allowed three runs and nearly wiped out a stellar pitching effort by a starter. Prior to his last two outings, the right-hander pitched well since returning from a hip injury July 15, including five saves, two holds, a 1.59 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

Kluber (10-7) earned the win against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out four and walking none over seven innings.

It was a vintage Kluber performance Saturday, as he limited the Yankees' offense to just two hits. He tossed 62 of 88 pitches for strikes across seven frames. Kluber now has three straight wins in his last three appearances and is on a streak of four quality starts. He has five quality starts in his last six games, with the exception being a seven-run clunker against the Orioles. After that game spiked his ERA to 4.40, Kluber has pitched well and his ERA now sits at 4.00.

Schmidt (5-4) took the loss Saturday against the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two and walking none over 4.1 innings.

Despite allowing no walks and four hits, Schmidt picked up the loss thanks to a Yandy Diaz two-run single in the third inning that would turn out to be the winning runs for the Rays. This was Schmidt's third appearance this season as a starter, although he may be called upon to start more games with Nestor Cortes on the IL. Schmidt seems to have a short leash for the Yankees as a starter, which limits his fantasy upside.

Garcia didn't factor in the decision against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over seven innings.

Garcia and the Astros held a 1-0 lead over opposing starter Shohei Ohtani through six innings, but Los Angeles tied the score on a single, walk and sacrifice fly in the seventh. That was the only run Garcia gave up in the contest, but it was enough to prevent him from picking up his fourth straight win. Despite the no-decision, it was the right-hander's first quality start in over a month and the first time he's surrendered less than two runs since a July 12 outing against the Angels. Garcia has recorded a 3.99 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 139:42 K:BB over 135.1 innings on the campaign.

Bello (1-4) picked up the win Saturday, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Rangers. He struck out five.

The 23-year-old earned his first career win in his eighth major-league appearance (sixth start). A top pitching prospect in the organization, Bello has endured his fair share of growing pains this season. He should be considered a volatile option, though Bello may finally be finding his footing at the big-league level.

Cease (13-6) pitched a complete-game shutout Saturday versus the Twins, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out seven in nine innings.

Cease came within an out of a no-hitter before Luis Arraez broke it up with a single. It was still an excellent performance and the second shutout of Cease's career as well as his best outing of 2022. The right-hander entered Saturday without a win in his last four starts. He was also fairly efficient in this gem, throwing 68 of 103 pitches for strikes while racking up 14 whiffs. He now has a 2.13 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 197:64 K:BB through 156 innings across 27 starts in what could be a Cy Young campaign. Cease is projected for a favorable road start in Oakland next week.

Mahle left Saturday's game against the White Sox with right shoulder inflammation, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Mahle was expected to face a limited workload in his return from the injured list, but he ended up throwing only two innings and 37 pitches. We now know it's because the shoulder is still barking, and it could very well land him right back on the IL, though Mahle should be considered day-to-day and questionable for his next start until the Twins update his status further.

Verlander (calf) played catch from 60 feet Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander hit the injured list with a calf issue Tuesday, two days after he exited his start against the Orioles early. While he still has several steps to go before being activated, it's encouraging to see him throwing again in some capacity.