MLB Player News

Kopech didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Royals, allowing two runs and four walks while striking out three across five innings.

Kopech remains without a decision this season, but his 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP show that he's pitching extremely well. He has yet to allow a home run over 19 innings pitched, and his strand rate of 83.3 percent is well above average. The wins will come eventually for Kopech, provided he can receive some run support.

Keller (0-2) didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 5-2 win over the White Sox, allowing three hits and a home run with three strikeouts in seven innings.

Keller recorded his longest stint of the season on the mound, and aside from surrendering a homer to Leury Garcia in the sixth, the 26-year-old put together a solid outing, throwing no more than 15 pitches in any of his seven innings. Keller's performance lowered his ERA to 2.19 for the season, although his first win has eluded him due to a lack of run support.

Perez allowed one run on two hits in seven innings, striking out four in a 3-2 loss Thursday against Houston. He did not factor into the decision.

After being perfect through six innings, Perez allowed a leadoff double and a two-out RBI single in the seventh. The lefty was incredibly efficient, needing only 77 pitches to complete seven full frames. The last two games have been masterfully pitched by the 31-year-old, allowing just one run on four hits in 13 innings. However, he's compiled an ERA below four just once in his MLB career, during his first stint in Texas when he posted a 3.62 ERA in 2013.

Verlander (2-1) earned the victory and pitched seven innings, striking out eight and allowing one run on four hits in a 3-2 win Thursday over Texas.

Verlander retired 19 of the first 20 batters he faced before giving up three consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. He was efficient and had stellar command, having only one three-ball count. The 39-year-old had only pitched six innings in the previous two seasons combined but now leads all of baseball with 26 innings pitched through his first four starts. He's been nothing short of phenomenal with a 1.73 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB ratio.

Springs opened and allowed a run on three hits in 2.2 innings while striking out three in a 2-1 win Thursday over Seattle. He did not factor into the decision.

Springs served as the opener and lasted a season-best 2.2 innings. He allowed a two-out RBI triple in the first inning but otherwise shut down the Mariners. It was the first appearance for the lefty in five days following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. He's been highly effective in the early going for the Rays, accumulating a 0.93 ERA and 0.83 WHIP while striking out 12 in 9.2 innings.

Flexen (1-3) received the loss after allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in 6.2 innings in a 2-1 defeat Thursday in Tampa Bay. He struck out four.

Flexen scattered six singles and was the beneficiary of two double plays. At one point he retired 12 consecutive batters, and the righty has now gone six innings or more in three consecutive starts. Not known as a strikeout pitcher, he has found other ways to limit runs and has a strong 3.38 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on the season. His next start will likely be early next week in Houston.

Quantrill (1-1) suffered the loss against the Angels on Thursday, completing six innings and allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out four.

Quantrill struggled with his control and induced only three swinging strikes in the contest, but he may have met a better fate if not for a pair of third-inning errors -- one of which was his own -- that led to three runs. The right-hander nonetheless registered his second straight quality start and lowered his season ERA to 3.27, though that has come with an unimpressive 10:10 K:BB. His next start is tentatively slated to come at home against San Diego on Wednesday.

Detmers (1-1) allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four batters to earn the win against Cleveland on Thursday.

The left-hander kept the Guardians off the scoreboard for four innings before Austin Hedges slugged a solo home run with two outs in the fifth. Detmers bounced back to retire the next batter and line himself up for the victory. The 22-year-old allowed five runs over 3.1 innings against Texas in his his second start of the campaign but has since yielded just three runs over 10 frames. His strikeout numbers haven't yet exploded the way they did in the minors -- Detmers has a modest 16 punchouts across 17.1 innings this season -- but he appears to be settling into the final slot in the Angels' rotation. His next start is likely to come in Boston next week.

Skubal (1-2) allowed six runs (three earned) on six hits across five innings to take the loss Thursday against the Twins. He walked two and struck out four.

The Tigers committed four total errors in this one, which certainly didn't do Skubal or the three relievers any favors. The lefty now has a losing record but has pitched well overall with a 3.05 ERA and 20 strikeouts across 20.2 innings this season, so wins should come if he gets more run support and some better defense behind him. Skubal will look to even up his record in his next scheduled start Wednesday against an exploitable Pittsburgh lineup.

Taillon allowed two earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.2 innings Thursday against Baltimore. He did not factor into the decision.

Taillon surrendered a run in both the second and third innings, but his primary problem was his inefficiency. He needed 83 pitches to record 14 outs while scattering seven hits -- including two doubles. On the positive side, Taillon continued to show strong control, as he's walked only two batters across 17.1 innings to begin the campaign. He's also maintained a solid 3.26 ERA across 19.1 frames, but he has now worked either 4.2 or five innings in all four of his starts.