MLB Player News

Blackburn (0-2) allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out three in 3.2 innings, taking the loss versus Toronto on Saturday.

On the bright side, he didn't walk a batter, but it didn't matter when he allowed Toronto to tee off for three home runs. Blackburn's outing Saturday was the shortest of his four starts this season. He's posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 19.2 innings overall. The 27-year-old lines up for a more favorable start versus Texas in next weekend's three-game series.

Berrios (10-7) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out seven in 6.2 innings to earn the win Saturday over Oakland.

The right-hander turned in his second straight quality start with a strong showing Saturday, although Toronto's bullpen nearly let a seven-run lead slip away in the ninth inning. Berrios is beginning to look more like himself again after an inconsistent August. He has a 3.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 169:40 K:BB through 159.2 innings. He's also gone 16.2 innings without walking a batter. The 27-year-old lines up for a tough road start against the Yankees next week.

Houck allowed three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts through five scoreless innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over Cleveland.

The Cleveland scouting department has to be doing a double-take right now. After showing no semblance of command against Cleveland just six days ago (four walks issued, three hit batters), Houck was rock solid for the Red Sox through five innings Saturday, throwing 69 percent of his pitches for strikes and conceding just a pair of singles and a double. The 25-year-old's velocity remained with him for the entire outing, as he retired the last nine batters he faced and hit 95 mph with his final pitch of the day. He is slated to pitch again Friday against the White Sox.

Montgomery didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles, giving up one run on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw was sharp but inefficient, and Montgomery tossed 97 pitches (65 strikes) before getting the hook. He left the game down 1-0 and headed for his sixth loss of the year, but the Yankees erased the deficit in the eighth inning. Montgomery will carry a 3.47 ERA and 131:43 K:BB through 135 innings into his next outing.

Cobb (wrist) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Cobb threw a side session early in the week, and it appears as though he's close to facing hitters. If he feels good following Saturday's activities, he's expected to throw an accelerated sim game in the coming days before the Angels determine his next steps.

Dunning is expected to return from the COVID-19 injured list during the Rangers' current road trip and could be called upon to start next weekend in Oakland, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Dunning hit the injured list as part of the team's late-August coronavirus outbreak. He hasn't embarked on a rehab assignment, but it's possible he returns to the team without one.

Junk will make his MLB debut as the starter for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Junk came over from the Yankees at the trade deadline in a deal which sent Andrew Heaney to the Bronx. Junk isn't a particularly highly-rated prospect and has struggled to a 5.27 ERA in five starts for Double-A Rocket City, an uninspiring mark considering his age (25). His combination of a 24.0 percent strikeout rate and 5.8 percent walk rate over those outings suggests he likely deserved better results, though those are hardly the numbers of a pitcher who looks ready to dominate at the highest level.

Winn returned to Double-A Frisco's roster Saturday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports

Winn hasn't pitched since mid-August due to the team's COVID-19 outbreak. He was putting up great numbers prior to his absence, striking out 33.1 percent of opposing batters over 16 starts en route to a 2.57 ERA and 0.83 WHIP.

Albers (1-1) allowed nine runs on 10 hits and one walk with two strikeouts through three innings, taking the loss in Saturday's 11-4 defeat to the Rays.

After shutting out the Brewers over 5.1 innings Aug. 27 in his first start in MLB since 2017, Albers took a giant step in the wrong direction Saturday. He was shelled over his three innings of work, allowing home runs to Yandy Diaz, Jordan Luplow, Manuel Margot and Randy Arozarena. It remains to be seen how much juice Albers has remaining in his left arm at 35 years old.

Bieber (shoulder) will throw a simulated game with Double-A Akron on Saturday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bieber has been making slow-but-steady progress in his recovery from a strained right shoulder, an injury which has kept him on the shelf since mid-June. He recently completed a pair of bullpen sessions, reaching 36 pitches Friday, so a simulated game is a natural next step. He still has a few more steps to go before returning from the injured list, however, which won't leave him time to make many starts before the end of the year.