MLB Player News

McKenzie (5-7) took the loss in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Royals, surrendering seven runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander couldn't keep the ball in the park and couldn't keep the bases clear before he did, serving up two-run shots in the second, third and fifth innings before getting the hook. McKenzie saw his streak of seven straight quality starts end with a thud, but even with Monday's brutal outing, the 24-year-old sports a 2.86 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 52:6 K:BB through 50.1 innings since the beginning of August.

Anderson (7-9) earned the win Monday against the Athletics after tossing seven innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and a walk while fanning seven.

Anderson matched his season-best output in strikeouts while also allowing just one run for the second straight start, and he seems to be gearing up for a strong end of the regular season. He has allowed three or fewer runs in eight of his nine appearances since the beginning of August, posting a 3.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in that span.

Singer (5-10) picked up the win in the first game of Monday's doubleheader sweep of Cleveland, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander went the distance in his return from the COVID-19 list while recording his fourth quality start in his last six outings. Singer has a 2.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB through 36.1 innings over that stretch, striking out at least five batters in all six trips to the mound, and only a 1.5 HR/9 prevented him from putting up even better ratios. The 2018 first-round pick appears to be settling in after a bumpy beginning to his big-league career, making him an intriguing sleeper for 2022.

Valdez (11-5) earned the win Monday against the Angels after tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and three walks while fanning six.

Valdez was coming off two straight outings in which he allowed four earned runs in each, but he bounced back admirably here and delivered his fifth quality start over eight appearances since the beginning of August. The southpaw owns a 3.16 ERA across 51.1 innings in that span.

Baz (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits while striking out five over five innings as he got the win over the Blue Jays on Monday in his MLB debut.

Baz allowed just two hits to the high-powered Blue Jays offense. However, both of them left the yard for home runs. Teoscar Hernandez connected on a fastball in the second and then Lourdes Gurriel turned on a slider in the fifth. The 22-year-old appeared to fit the part as one of baseball's top pitching prospects, showcasing excellent command with a great arsenal of pitches. Baz has a real shot to become a fantasy ace in the coming years, but for now, managers should temper their expectations with the Astros as the team he's projected to face his next time out.

Ray (12-6) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings Monday as he took the loss to the Rays.

Things were going smoothly for Ray until the fifth inning when he allowed a three-run home run to Yandy Diaz to give the Rays a 3-2 lead. Ray stayed in for two more batters after the long ball and then was pulled after surrendering a double to Randy Arozarena at 97 pitches. It was the second time Ray's failed to reach five innings over his last three starts, but it was just his first loss since July 21. The 2021 Cy Young candidate now has a 2.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 238:45 K:BB over 182 innings and will have a good opportunity to bounce back against the Twins over the weekend.

Cortes allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Monday's win over Texas. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Cortes snuck out of a two-on, no-out jam in the first inning and was then in total control through four scoreless frames. He allowed two runs in the fifth, including a solo home run by Charlie Culberson, and was charged with a third run after Chad Green gave up an RBI sacrifice fly later in the frame. Cortes has allowed at least one home run in nine consecutive appearances but has yielded three or fewer runs in seven straight. The 26-year-old lefty will carry a 2.79 ERA into his projected start in Boston this weekend.

Wells worked a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over the Phillies on Monday.

Wells needed just seven pitches to roll through the heart of Philadelphia's order and finish off the 2-0 win. He's now 3-for-6 in save chances this season after blowing his previous two opportunities. The 6-foot-8 righty owns a 4.09 ERA through 55 innings.

Means (6-7) allowed four hits and a walk over 6.2 shutout innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over Philadelphia.

Means was spotted a 2-0 lead before he took the mound in the first inning and used it to his advantage. He didn't allow a runner into scoring position until the seventh and never gave up an extra-base hit. It was his fifth straight start allowing two or fewer runs and his first scoreless appearance since May 11. The 28-year-old is now sporting a 3.25 ERA with a 124:26 K:BB through 138.2 frames. Means is lined up to face Texas at home this weekend.

Rodon experienced soreness during Monday's start against Detroit, and the team is uncertain as to when he'll make his next start, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. He didn't factor into the decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out six over three innings.

The White Sox have been cautious with their southpaw down the stretch of the regular season, but Rodon still hasn't felt quite right out on the bump of late. Skipper Tony La Russa stated Rodon will need to be examined and reassessed following Monday's outing, per Fegan, which will likely take place over the next few days. The outcome of this assessment will determine the date of his next start. Interestingly enough, Rodon described his own soreness after the contest as "normal soreness" and "nothing crazy," per Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago.