MLB Player News

Whitlock picked up the save against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two and walking none over two innings.

Whitlock threw 18 of 25 pitches for strikes in what turned out to be a two-inning save Saturday. This was the second game in a row in which Whitlock was called upon for the save. The righty has been reliable in relief, blowing just one save -- on April 8 in his first appearance of the year. Whitlock now has five saves on the season and a 3.03 ERA.

Wacha (8-1) earned the win against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing no runs on four hits while striking out four and walking one over 5.2 innings.

Wacha was lights-out across 5.2 innings, limiting the damage to just five baserunners and not allowing any to score. He threw 52 of 79 pitches for strikes in the contest. The righty has not allowed an earned run in two games since returning from the IL. He has lowered his ERA to 2.28 in the process.

Javier allowed a run on two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Saturday.

Javier's lone mistake was a solo home run to Vaughn Grissom in the fifth inning, which tied the game at 1-1. This was Javier's fourth straight quality start, but he's picked up just one win to go with two losses in that span despite allowing only four runs across 24 innings. The right-hander continues to pitch well with a 2.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 146:40 K:BB through 112.1 innings across 23 outings (19 starts) this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Orioles next weekend. Considering Javier's strong pitching of late, he appears to be safe as a starter even if the Astros opt to go down to a five-man rotation later in the year.

Gilbert allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Saturday. He didn't walk a batter.

For the third time in four starts, Gilbert was unable to complete six innings. He finished Saturday's outing with just 66 pitches (46 strikes), and manager Scott Servais said after the game Gilbert tightened up after getting hit by a line drive, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. It sounds like his early exit was cautionary, so it appears the right-hander should be good to go for his projected home start versus the Guardians next week. Gilbert owns a 3.52 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 131:41 K:BB across 143.1 innings through 25 starts.

Kaprielian allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts over five innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Mariners.

Kaprielian has walked four or more batters in five of his 20 starts this season, though this was the first time he hit that mark in his last seven outings. Both runs against him came via sacrifice flies. The right-hander improved his ERA to 4.29 with a 1.33 WHIP and 71:45 K:BB through 100.2 innings this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Yankees next week.

Detmers (4-4) took the loss against Detroit on Saturday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings.

Detmers had been on a roll entering the contest, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 over six starts since his July 8 return from the minors. However, he clearly lacked his best stuff against the Tigers, as he recorded only three strikeouts and and surrendered four extra-base hits (all doubles). The Angels will hope that this was merely a blip on the radar and not an indication that Detmers is dealing with any sort of physical issue. According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, the rookie's velocity was down a tick in the outing, so that's something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Rasmussen (8-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Royals. He struck out eight.

Rasmussen allowed only one extra-base hit in the form of a double from shortstop Bobby Witt. The righty has been particularly effective lately with a 33:6 K:BB and a 0.83 WHIP over 38.2 innings over his last seven starts. In addition, the 27-year-old has been significantly better at home with a 1.99 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 58.2 innings compared to a 3.86 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 46.2 innings away from Tampa Bay.

Cole (9-6) took the loss against Toronto on Saturday, pitching six innings and allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Cole was locked in through four frames, allowing only two baserunners on a walk and a hit batsman. After striking out Matt Chapman to begin the fifth, he subsequently let six straight batters reach base on three doubles, two infield singles and a free pass. The onslaught resulted in four runs, and though Cole rebounded to retire the side in order in the sixth, the damage was too much for a recently tepid New York offense to overcome. Cole has now gone six starts without earning a victory, and he's posted an uncharacteristic 4.62 ERA over that span. He leads the majors with 189 strikeouts but has otherwise had a mildly disappointing campaign thus far.

Mahle (shoulder inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Per Miller, it's a precautionary move by the Twins that allows the team to add a lefty reliever (Devin Smeltzer) against the lefty-heavy Rangers. Mahle was already expected to miss his next start. He is eligible to return Sept. 2.

Blackburn (finger) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

His right middle finger will be in a splint for the next six weeks, so Blackburn's season is over. He was a great story in the first half of the season, but his production plummeted over his final eight starts (7.94 ERA), in part due to the finger discomfort he dealt with over his final four starts. Blackburn will be a key part of Oakland's rotation in 2023.