MLB Player News

Valdez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the A's, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The 27-year-old was locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel with fellow lefty Sean Manaea through six innings, but after Kyle Tucker gave the Astros the lead in the top of the seventh with a solo shot, Valdez gave up a single to Khris Davis and hit Elvis Andrus with a pitch to get the hook after 95 pitches (52 strikes). Unfortunately, Kendall Graveman promptly allowed an inherited runner to score, costing Valdez his shot at the win. The quality start was his 13th of the year in only 21 outings, and he'll take a 2.98 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 118:57 through 129.2 innings into his final start of the regular season next weekend.

Anderson (7-10) took the loss in Saturday's 14-1 defeat at the hands of the Angels, allowing nine runs on nine hits and a walk in two innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Anderson was hammered early and often Saturday, permitting two runs in the first inning, one in the second and six in the third before being pulled. The poor start comes on the heels of two straight one-run outings and marks Anderson's first start allowing more than four runs in 11 starts since being acquired from Pittsburgh.

Ray (13-6) allowed a run on three hits and four walks with six strikeouts in six innings to earn the win Saturday versus Minnesota.

The southpaw gave up a sacrifice fly in the first inning, but that was the only run Minnesota scored in the game. Ray's September hasn't been as smooth as his August, as he's allowed eight runs in each month, but in just 28.2 innings this month as opposed to 41 frames last month. He's still been excellent more often than not in 2021 with a 2.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 244:49 K:BB across 188 innings. His last start of the regular season lines up as a pivotal home showdown versus the Yankees next week.

Cortes yielded two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings Saturday against Boston. He had four strikeouts and did not factor into the decision.

Cortes gave up a solo homer to Kevin Plawecki in the third inning and was chased from the game with one out in the fifth after giving up singles to Plawecki and Kyle Schwarber. Cortes hasn't been able to complete five innings in either of his last two starts, but he's at least limited the damage to five total runs while providing 11 strikeouts against just two walks. He projects to face the Rays at home next Friday in his final start of the regular season.

Lyles (9-13) allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts through 6.2 innings, taking the loss in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to the Orioles.

Lyles worked six shutout innings Saturday night, but he couldn't tame the Baltimore bats in the seventh. A walk, an RBI double and a two-run homer by Kelvin Gutierrez spelled an unfortunate end to an otherwise stellar performance. Regardless, the rubber-armed Lyles has been a reliable innings-eater for the Rangers this season. He's slated to make his final appearance of the year next Saturday against Cleveland.

Skubal pitched four scoreless innings in a no-decision Saturday against Kansas City, giving up just one hit to go with one strikeout.

The 24-year-old had his workload limited once again, but he was nearly perfect in his four innings of work, limiting the Royals to just an Edward Olivares single while registering 32 of his 45 pitches for strikes. Skubal has gone 8-12 in 30 appearances (28 starts) this season, posting a 1.24 WHIP and 163:46 K:BB over 146 innings.

McClanahan (10-6) allowed one run on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts through five innings, picking up the win in Saturday's 7-3 victory over the Marlins.

The Marlins embarked on a hit parade against McClanahan in his first three innings, but the left-hander retired eight of the final nine batters he faced to turn the tides of his evening. The only damage to his line came on a Miguel Rojas solo homer in the third inning. Since surrendering four runs in five innings against Boston on Sept. 2, McClanahan has a 1.20 ERA and a K:BB of 13:4 in his last three starts.

Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

The 29-year-old rookie owns an 8.42 ERA in 10 starts and four relief appearances so far this season, striking out just 13.6 percent of opposing batters. It looks as though he's up as a reliever this time around, taking the bullpen spot that had belonged to Tyler Wells, who landed on the injured list with a shoulder injury.

Wells was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with right shoulder inflammation.

He had seemingly taken over as Baltimore's closer in recent weeks, going 4-for-6 in save chances this month with a 7.27 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. With Wells on the shelf, Cole Sulser should be the primary option in the ninth inning.

Bassitt will make his next start on normal rest Tuesday in Seattle, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This will give Bassitt a chance to make two starts next week, as he could pitch the final game of the season in Houston on normal rest. He was excellent in his first start back Thursday, logging three scoreless innings while allowing one hit, one walk and striking out four Mariners. Bassitt threw 48 pitches in that outing, so there's an outside chance he goes deep enough to qualify for the win in Tuesday's start.