MLB Player News

Boyd (elbow) took the loss for Triple-A Tacoma against Albuquerque on Friday, allowing two earned runs on two hits, a balk and a hit batsman while recording four strikeouts.

As the busy final line implies, Boyd had some control issues in his third rehab appearance. The veteran southpaw did work up to 40 pitches (26 strikes), and his swing-and-miss stuff was encouraging. Boyd had logged a pair of scoreless one-inning outings in his first two trips to the mound for the Rainiers, and the Associated Press reports manager Scott Servais estimates the 31-year-old could join the big-league bullpen within the next two weeks.

Blackburn (finger) revealed Friday that he pitched through progressively worsening discomfort during his final four starts of the season before being shut down Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. "I was hoping that it would just kind of go away," he said. "... It just never went away. It got worse."

The right-hander was a first-time All-Star in 2022, and his 8.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 2.7 HR/9 over the 20.1 innings covering his last four starts are largely explained by what was ultimately revealed to be a torn flexor tendon sheath in his right middle finger. Blackburn apparently suffered the injury in his preparation for his July 13 start against the Rangers, the outing that marked the beginning of his slump. The combination of the increasing pain and the inability to extend his finger and finish pitches ultimately caused the early end to Blackburn's season, and although he'll be in a cast for up to eight weeks, he's expected back at full strength for spring training.

Taillon (11-4) took the loss Friday as the Yankees were downed 4-0 by the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander didn't pitch too badly aside from grooving a first-pitch fastball to Teoscar Hernandez in the fourth inning that wound up traveling 421 feet to nearly straightaway center field, but the New York offense managed only four singles all night and never got a runner past second base, so Taillon had no margin for error. In six starts since the All-Star break, he's posted a 4.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB through 32.1 innings, with the ERA being fueled by a 1.7 HR/9.

Gausman (9-9) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Yankees. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander was dominant, retiring 10 straight batters after New York got two on with two outs in the first inning and not letting another runner get into scoring position the rest of the night. Gausman fired 58 of 86 pitches for strikes before exiting with his third quality start in four August trips to the mound, a month is which he's sporting a 1.75 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB through 25.2 innings.

McCullers (1-1) took the loss to Atlanta on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking three over five innings.

After pitching a six-inning gem versus Oakland in his first game back from injury, McCullers did not fare as well in his second outing. The Atlanta offense got to him early thanks to a third-inning three-run homer from Austin Riley. The righty allowed three walks in the contest after allowing four in his previous one, something McCullers has struggled with in past seasons. He's never posted a BB/9 lower than 3.0 in his first six seasons. He will take a 2.45 ERA into his next appearance.

McClanahan did not factor into the decision against the Royals on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out eight and walking three over seven innings.

After posting an ERA under two until July 26, McClanahan has seemed like a mere mortal since. From that point on, he has allowed 13 earned runs across 23.2 innings for a 4.94 ERA in that span. McClanahan picked up a quality start in Friday's contest, his 17th of the season. The lefty threw 90 pitches (56 for strikes) in the game and does not appear to be limited by the management in Tampa, which is typically cautious with young pitchers.

Singer did not factor into the decision against the Rays on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking four over six innings.

Singer threw 58 of 99 pitches for strikes in Friday's contest. Although he walked four and allowed five hits, he limited the damage to just two runs scored on a Randy Arozarena single in the sixth inning. The outing was Singer's third quality start in a row and his seventh in his last eight games. He is turning in the best season of his career, posting a 3.27 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Manning (0-1) took the loss to the Angels on Friday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six and walking one over seven innings.

The lone home run that Manning allowed to Jared Walsh in the second inning turned out to be the only run of the game, giving Manning the loss despite a strong outing. He threw 63 of 90 pitches for strikes and earned a seven-inning quality start. It was the third quality start in six games this season for the righty. Manning will take a 2.81 ERA through 31 innings into his next outing.

Sandoval (4-8) earned the win against Detroit on Friday, pitching a four-hit shutout while striking out nine and walking none.

Sandoval was incredibly efficient and accurate in his complete game shutout Friday. He threw 73 of 97 pitches for strikes, limiting Detroit batters to four hits and no walks. The lefty had not completed six innings since July 9. Sandoval earned a quality start in the contest, his eighth of the year. He has earned a quality start in each game this season that he has gone six or more innings. The impressive outing lowered his ERA to 3.14.

Gonzales (8-12) gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one over 5.1 innings to earn the win in a 10-2 victory over the Athletics on Friday.

Gonzales took advantage of a favorable matchup against the weak Athletics lineup to churn out his eighth win of the season despite only striking out one batter. The soft-tossing lefty got plenty of run support and pitched to contact before coming out of the game at 79 pitches. The positive start lowered his ERA to 4.08 after a rough ride his last time out against the Rangers. Gonzales has an elevated 1.41 WHIP and has struck out only 75 batters in 134.2 innings this season. He is tentatively expected to make his next start against the Guardians.