MLB Player News

Gray allowed three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Thursday.

Gray put together a quality start, but he wasn't able to get the win since the Red Sox's offense didn't show up until the late innings. This was a third straight quality start for Gray, who has allowed six runs over 19.1 frames in September. He has pitched to a 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 146:45 K:BB through 163 innings over 28 starts this year. He is projected to make his next start at home versus the Guardians.

Valdez (10-11) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings to take the loss versus the White Sox on Thursday.

Valdez picked up his most strikeouts in a start in the second half, but an early home run by Munetaka Murakami was the difference in the game. Over his last four outings, Valdez has given up six earned runs across 24 innings to end the season in good form. Overall, the southpaw has a 4.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 129:64 K:BB through 168.2 innings over 30 starts. Valdez is lined up to make one more start in the regular season, tentatively scheduled to be at home versus the Nationals.

Lugo (7-9) took the loss Thursday against Houston, striking out five while allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in five innings.

Lugo was burned badly by the long ball Thursday, serving up a whopping four homers on the evening. The veteran right-hander hasn't been particularly effective of late, giving up at least three runs in seven of his last nine starts while tossing at least six innings just twice during that span. He'll carry a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 131:54 K:BB over 169 innings into his next scheduled outing against the White Sox, which is likely to be his last of the campaign.

Pecko didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, striking out four while allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He picked up his first hold of the season.

Working in long relief for the Astros on Thursday, Pecko delivered a strong performance out of the bullpen. The rookie right-hander has been a serviceable addition to the Houston pitching staff since being promoted to the major leagues in mid-August, giving up one run while working at least 4.1 innings in three consecutive outings. He should have some streaming appeal in fantasy leagues still in play for next week's scheduled appearance at pitcher-friendly Seattle, where he'll bring a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 28.2 innings.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Thursday that Castillo has been moved to the bullpen, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Since being acquired from the Mariners on Aug. 2, Castillo hasn't provided the boost to the rotation that the White Sox had anticipated. Over his seven appearances (six starts) with Chicago, Castillo has labored to a 1-2 record, 7.76 ERA and 1.79 WHIP. In light of his struggles, the veteran right-hander looks like he could be limited to a low-leverage role out of the bullpen the rest of the way. Castillo had been lined up to start Friday versus the Tigers, but rookie David Sandlin is now on track to take over Castillo's spot in the rotation.

Springs (4-14) took the loss Thursday against the Rays, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

Things started off well for Springs, who held Tampa Bay scoreless through three innings. The fourth frame was a different story, however, as the left-hander gave up six runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batter while recording just one out. Coming into the day, Springs had allowed only two runs over 12 innings across his prior two outings. His ERA now sits at 6.18 across 28 starts (138.1 innings) this season with a 1.47 WHIP and 109:56 K:BB. He's currently in line to face the Angels at home his next time out.

Rasmussen (15-5) earned the win Thursday over the A's, allowing four hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

It was another strong outing from Rasmussen, who's given up just five runs over 31 innings in his last five starts. The right-hander's ERA is down to 2.72 across 29 starts (165.1 innings) this season with a 0.93 WHIP and 163:29 K:BB. Rasmussen currently lines up to face the Yankees on the road his next time out.

Povich will rejoin the Orioles this weekend and is likely to make a start against the Brewers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Povich had been slated to start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, but he was scratched from that scheduled outing and could take the ball for the Orioles as soon as Friday. The left-hander has logged a 4.05 ERA and 25:13 K:BB over 33.1 frames covering six starts and one relief outing with the big club this season. With Kyle Bradish (sports hernia) done for the season, Povich could make an additional start next week.

Eovaldi improved to 11-9 on the season after allowing one hit and no walks while striking out one batter over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Red Sox.

Eovaldi made his second relief appearance since coming off the injured list last weekend and shut down the Red Sox. He was needed for length as starter MacKenzie Gore battled muscle spasms in his shoulder and was limited to four innings. After tossing 46 pitches Wednesday, Eovaldi could be built up enough to make an abbreviated start or bulk-relief appearance at some point during the final week of the regular season. The Rangers could have some openings in the rotation, as Gore and Cal Quantrill (back) are battling injuries, while Cody Bradford has gone 0-5 with a 4.72 ERA in his seven starts since returning from the 60-day IL in early August.

Pecko is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Miguel Ullola in Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will go back to an arrangement that yielded strong results in last Friday's 3-1 loss to the Rays. In that contest, Ullola started and tossed a scoreless inning, while Pecko entered the game in the midway through the third. The 24-year-old Pecko proceeded to deliver his best MLB performance to date, limiting the Rays to one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings.