MLB Player News

Valdez (13-4) picked up the win over Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over seven innings.

Valdez was a bit wild with four walks, but he surrendered only two base hits and completed seven innings for the third straight outing. He finished with his 21st consecutive quality start, surpassing the franchise record set by Mike Scott in 1986. Valdez has earned a win in five of his past six appearances, and he's already established a career-best mark with 13 victories on the campaign. The southpaw doesn't typically post huge strikeout numbers and has issued at least three passes in three of his past four starts, but he keeps rolling along as one of the game's most consistently effective starting pitchers.

Quantrill (10-5) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six over seven shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Padres.

Quantrill was able to keep his former team quiet. This was the right-hander's third scoreless outing in his last four starts. He's allowed eight runs in 32 innings in August, good for a 2.25 ERA with a 23:5 K:BB. For the season, he's pitched to a 3.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 94:38 K:BB through 143 innings across 24 starts. Quantrill is projected for a home start versus the Orioles next week.

Singer (7-4) earned the win over Arizona on Wednesday, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out six batters.

Singer cruised through four scoreless frames before Daulton Varsho knocked a solo shot off the right-hander in the fifth. That looked like it might be enough to tag the Kansas City ace with the loss as Zac Gallen outdueled him with six shutout innings, but a late offensive surge by the Royals turned things around and handed Singer his third victory over his past four starts. He's been tossing the ball well for over a month, picking up eight quality starts over his past nine outings and compiling an outstanding 2.01 ERA along with a 62:16 K:BB across 58.1 innings over that stretch. The 2018 first-round draft pick has blossomed in his third big-league campaign, recording a 3.15 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 21 appearances, including 18 starts.

Kirby didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on eight hits over seven innings in a 3-1 loss to the Nationals. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

The rookie right-hander was impressive once again, firing an efficient 85 pitches (69 strikes) before exiting with the Mariners down 1-0, but his teammates were at least able to take him off the hook for the loss with a run in the eighth. Kirby hadn't worked more than six innings in a start since July 2 as Seattle keeps a close eye on his workload, but he still sports a 2.43 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 40:4 K:BB through 33.1 innings since the All-Star break.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Marlins, allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out 11 without walking a batter.

The lefty put together perhaps the best start of his big-league career, setting a new personal best with the 11 Ks and generating a massive 25 swinging strikes among his 92 pitches. Unfortunately, Irvin was denied his seventh win of the year when Zach Jackson and Dany Jimenez faltered in the eighth and ninth innings. The quality start was Irvin's 13th of the year, and he'll carry a 3.16 ERA and 98:26 K:BB through 142.1 innings into his next outing.

Watkins (4-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against the White Sox. He struck out five.

Watkins gave up a two-run single to outfielder Gavin Sheets to open the scoring with one out in the first. The righty has not gone deep into games this season, pitching six innings or more in just four of 17 starts. The 29-year-old has been more effective on the road with a 3.72 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 38.2 innings in eight outings, compared to a 4.17 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 45.1 innings in 10 starts at home.

McClanahan did not allow a run on four hits and one walk over six innings with nine strikeouts in an extra-innings victory against the Angels on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

The southpaw returned to form Wednesday, firing his first scoreless outing in 12 starts dating back to June 9 and the most strikeouts in a game since July 2. He was in command all night, throwing 62 of 90 pitches for strikes and allowing just five runners on base. The Cy Young contender lowered his ERA to 2.20 and will look to keep the momentum going in his next scheduled start against Miami next week.

Berrios did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning victory against the Red Sox. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings with six strikeouts.

Berrios was sharp for the second straight start with the only damage on the night coming from a two-run home run off the bat of Franchy Cordero that just cleared the Green Monster. The 28-year-old's effort lowered his ERA on the season to 5.28 as he attempts to finish strong. Signs point in that direction, as he had a 4.65 ERA since the start of July coming into Wednesday's start, including one start in which he was touched for eight runs. Additionally, his xFIP of 4.03 suggests the worst may be behind him. He tentatively lines up to face the Cubs next week.

Bello allowed two runs on six hits, one walk and seven strikeouts over five innings in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss versus Toronto. He did not factor in the decision.

In his first start since completing an IL stint due to a groin injury, Bello turned in the best outing of his young career. He needed just 65 pitches to get through five innings and set a season high in strikeouts with seven. He will likely face the Twins next week if he sticks in the rotation.

Giolito (10-7) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against Baltimore. He struck out three.

Giolito's only run allowed came in the fourth on an RBI groundout that scored catcher Adley Rutschman after he doubled to lead off the inning. The 28-year-old's struggles had been more severe than usual lately with a disastrous 7.39 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in 28 innings over his six starts prior to this contest. The righty has been dreadful at home this season with a 6.71 ERA and a .318 average allowed in 53.2 innings, compared to his 3.91 ERA and .259 BAA in 69 innings outside Guaranteed Rate Field.