MLB Player News

Blackburn (6-3) took the loss Wednesday versus the Mariners. He allowed seven runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four in four-plus innings.

Blackburn allowed runs in each of the first three innings and then ran into a bunch of trouble in the fifth without recording an out. This was easily the worst start of the season for the right-hander, as he gave up season highs in hits and runs. Despite the stumble, he still has a 2.97 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 75.2 innings overall. Blackburn is projected to face an even tougher challenge next week in New York versus the Yankees.

Montgomery allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings against Tampa Bay on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

The Rays touched up Montgomery for two homers and three runs in the second inning, but he limited the damage to one run the rest of the way and escaped with a no-decision thanks to a late-innings New York comeback. This was arguably the left-hander's worst outing of the campaign, as he gave up a season-high four runs and notched a season-low two strikeouts. Nonetheless, he hasn't taken any losses over his past 11 starts and ranks 11th among qualified AL starters with a 2.97 ERA.

Lynch (3-7) took the loss Wednesday versus the Angels. He allowed a run on three hits and five walks with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

The season-high five walks did Lynch no favors, as his pitch count stood at 104 (55 strikes) at the end of his outing. The lone run he allowed came on a David MacKinnon sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Despite the lack of control, this was still a fairly positive outing for Lynch, who has allowed just one run in each of his last two starts. He's at a 4.95 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 65:30 K:BB through 63.2 innings overall. The southpaw is projected for a home start versus the Rangers next week.

Wacha (6-1) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, completing six innings and allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Wacha got off to a rough start in the outing, serving up a two-run homer to Javier Baez in the first inning. The right-hander settled down from there, keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard for the remainder of his start. Along the way, Wacha racked up a season-high seven strikeouts. It has been a resurgent campaign for the veteran hurler, as he boasts a 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 65.1 innings. His six wins rank second on the club.

Gray allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and no walks with four strikeouts in four-plus innings, taking a no-decision versus the Guardians on Wednesday.

Gray limited the damage to a Steven Kwan RBI triple in the third, but the Guardians put together a three-run rally in the fifth to knock him out of the contest. This was Gray's second start back from a pectoral strain, but it was a step back in performance after he notched five scoreless innings in his return. The right-hander has posted a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 46:10 K:BB across 42.2 innings in nine starts overall. He'll look to pitch deeper in his next start, tentatively set for a rematch with the Guardians next week in Cleveland.

Stripling (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the White Sox after giving up one run on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk over six innings.

The 32-year-old covered only 3.2 innings during his previous outing, but he rebounded Wednesday and produced his second quality start of the season. Stripling has a 3.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 43:11 K:BB across 52.2 innings this season, and his spot in Toronto's starting rotation is secure for the foreseeable future since Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) recently underwent Tommy John surgery.

McKenzie allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Wednesday.

McKenzie posted his shortest start since April in this one, with the nine hits he allowed marking a season high. He also allowed multiple homers (three) for the fourth time in his last five starts, though the Guardians' offense was able to bail him out. The 24-year-old's poor start pushed his ERA to 3.51 with a 1.01 WHIP and 66:20 K:BB through 74.1 innings overall. McKenzie will look to get back into form next week with a home rematch against the Twins.

Wells (5-4) allowed three hits and four walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Nationals.

Wells walked two to load the bases in the third inning but he struck out Luis Garcia to escape the jam. Wells was solid otherwise, though he needed 95 pitches to record 15 outs. After struggling to work deep into games to begin the campaign, Wells has worked at least five frames in five of his last six starts. He has a 3.34 ERA on the season, though that's paired with a modest 40:16 K:BB across 64.2 innings.

Giolito (4-4) was charged with the loss Wednesday against the Blue Jays after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts and one walk across five innings.

Giolito generated 10 swinging strikes on 95 pitches but gave up five extra-base hits, including a grand slam to Bo Bichette during the fourth inning. The right-hander had a 2.63 ERA through his first seven starts of the year, but in his past five outings he's allowed 30 runs (27 earned) with a 25:11 K:BB over 25.2 innings. Giolito tentatively lines up to next take the mound Monday against the Angels.

Ober (groin) has started playing catch and said he's hopeful to return to the mound and throw a bullpen by the end of this week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ober has an aponeurotic plate injury, which he described as a tendon pulling on his pelvic bone, the Star Tribune adds. Ober could make the first of likely several rehab starts next week.