MLB Player News

Suarez will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Suarez hasn't had particularly strong results during his six appearances (five starts) for the Angels this year, as he's posted a 5.96 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 22.2 innings. However, the southpaw will be called up to serve as the starting pitcher in Saturday's nightcap.

Houck gave up a run on two hits with one strikeout in one-third of an inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Cardinals.

Boston led 6-1 heading into the ninth inning, but after Austin Davis made a mess of things with two outs, Houck got the call and barely escaped the jam, serving up back-to-back doubles to Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan before finally striking out Paul Goldschmidt. Houck has converted three straight save chances since being moved into a high-leverage relief role, while Friday's run was the first on his ledger since May 15. Out of the bullpen this season, the right-hander has a 3.08 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB through 26.1 innings, and he may be the guy to bring some stability to the Red Sox closing picture.

Wacha (5-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a 6-5 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out five.

Aside from a solo homer by Nolan Arenado in the second inning, Wacha stifled the Cardinals' bats and got some revenge against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2012 before cutting him loose ahead of the 2020 campaign. The right-hander has a remarkable 2.28 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 41:17 K:BB through 59.1 innings despite lasting at least six innings only twice in 11 starts.

Valdez (7-3) earned the win against the White Sox on Friday, going six innings and allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out seven and walking none.

Valdez continued a dominant season on Friday, earning his 11th quality start of the year and his 10th in a row. He was efficient, throwing 66 of 91 pitches for strikes. Although he did allow eight hits in the game, Valdez was able to limit the damage to three runs and benefitted from an offensive explosion from his own team. The lefty will carry a 2.78 ERA into his next outing.

Stripling (3-2) took the loss Friday, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Blue Jays fell 12-3 to the Yankees. He struck out three.

The right-hander needed 84 pitches (58 strikes) to record only 11 outs before getting the hook, as New York's hitters fouled off a massive 27 pitches to help force Stripling from the game. Once he was off the mound, the floodgates opened against the Toronto bullpen. Eight of Stripling's 16 appearances this season have come as a starter, and he's posted a sharp 3.03 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB through 35.2 innings in that role.

Montgomery (3-1) picked up the win in Friday's 12-3 victory over the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw tossed only 54 of 93 pitches for strikes but bore down when he needed to, and Montgomery got a chance to relax after the Yankees erupted for an eight-run fifth inning. After settling for no-decisions in eight of his first nine starts, he's now won three of his last four while reeling off five straight quality starts. Montgomery will carry a 2.72 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 56:11 K:BB through 72.2 innings into his next outing.

Giolito (4-3) picked up a five-inning loss Friday against the Astros, allowing eight runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking three.

This was arguably Giolito's worst game of the season, increasing his ERA by nearly a run to 4.78. The righty got tagged for eight runs, including two home runs, both of which are the most he has allowed in a game this season. He also threw a season-low three strikeouts for the second time this month. He has a 7.88 June ERA, which he will look to improve in his next appearance, which is projected to be a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.

Skubal (5-4) took a five-inning loss Friday against the Rangers, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking two.

Skubal is on a rough stretch in his last three games, allowing a total of 12 earned runs and three home runs, giving him a 4.70 ERA in June. He was a bit inefficient against the Rangers on Friday, throwing 62 of 100 pitches for strikes in five innings. The eight hits on Friday were the most that Skubal has allowed in a game this season. The lefty also allowed the second most runs (5) and threw the second fewest strikeouts (4) of his 2022 campaign thus far. Skubal will look to turn things around in his next appearance, which is projected to be in Boston next week.

Gray (2-3) pitched seven innings and earned the win Friday against the Tigers, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out six and walking none.

Gray impressed Friday, allowing no runners to score for just the second time this season. It was also his first game this year without allowing a walk. He picked up a quality start for the third time this month, and aside from a recent clunker against the Guardians, seems to have made some adjustments to improve. The righty threw 68 of 102 pitches for strikes against the Tigers on Friday and lowered his ERA to 4.27.

Lynch (3-6) allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 across five innings Friday, earning the win over the Athletics.

Lynch wasn't all that efficient, tossing 99 pitches (67 strikes) including a pair of wild pitches, but he turned in one of his best outings of the season. He'd gone 0-4 with 22 runs allowed across his last five starts before Friday's impressive performance, although the win came against a lackluster opponent. The 25-year-old southpaw owns a 5.19 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 60:25 K:BB across 59 innings in 12 starts overall. He'll likely have a tougher test next week on the road versus the Angels.