MLB Player News

Rodon (2-5) allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four across five innings to take the loss Saturday against the Tigers.

Rodon held the Tigers scoreless for the first two innings before giving up all five of his runs over the next two frames, leading to his fifth loss of the season. This outing snapped his string of five straight starts in which he had allowed two or fewer earned runs, and he should be considered a strong fantasy option down the stretch, although it could be difficult for him to pick up many victories with the White Sox offense. He'll make his next start Friday against the Rays.

Snell allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over seven innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday.

The left-hander left in line for the win after his second straight "ultra quality start" -- at least seven innings and two runs or fewer allowed -- but Tommy Hunter and Brad Boxberger combined to blow the lead and take the loss. Snell's season numbers are still unsightly, but he appears to have figured some things out as he now has a 3.66 ERA in the second half. He lines up to face the White Sox in his next start.

Hammel (6-10) allowed four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over 6.2 innings in a losing effort against the Indians on Saturday. He struck out four and walked one.

Hammel began his day with five perfect frames, matching zeroes on the scoreboard with Mike Clevinger, but the wheels began to come off in the sixth. Roberto Perez connected for a two-run shot off Hammel, and the right-hander went on to allow two solo homers in the seventh before he was pulled. He has now served up seven homers in his last three outings after allowing just two over his first six second-half starts. Next up: a road start against the Twins.

Clevinger (7-5) earned the win over the Royals on Saturday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six scoreless innings.

He didn't give up a hit until the fourth inning, and all four hits he allowed over his final three frames were singles. Meanwhile, Clevinger matched his season high with nine strikeouts -- a number he reached on two previous occasions. While the right-hander has been inconsistent throughout the second half, his strikeout rate keeps him highly relevant. It doesn't look like Clevinger is in any danger of being skipped again in the near future with the Indians having just one off day over the next three weeks.

Rodriguez (4-4) earned the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk through 6.2 innings Saturday against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Rodriguez allowed all five runs on four hits -- including a homer -- and a walk in the second inning, and that was all the Orioles needed to cruise to a victory. The 24-year-old has been unable to find his groove since returning from the disabled list July 17, compiling a 5.08 ERA in eight starts over that span. Even through his struggles, Rodriguez has been able to miss a good amount of bats, registering a 10.10 K/9 over that same eight-game stretch. His next scheduled start is lined up for Thursday against the Yankees.

Hamels (9-2) gave up six runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in a losing effort against the A's on Saturday.

Chad Pinder touched Hamels up for home runs in the first and third innings, and the A's piled on in the fifth before Hamels got the hook. Hamels has fared well in the second half for the most part, but the peripherals suggest he's overachieved this year. More regression could be coming over the final month of the season.

Gausman (10-9) struck out five and allowed four hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday against the Red Sox.

Gausman got back on track after a rough last time out, and he's now tossed six quality starts in his last eight outings to lower his ERA below 5.00 for the first time since April 13. The 26-year-old is enjoying his best stretch of the season, compiling five wins to go along with a 2.26 ERA and 52:19 K:BB over his last 45.2 innings. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next scheduled start, which comes against the Blue Jays on Friday.

McCullers (back) is expected to make a rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on either Wednesday or Thursday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros will move McCullers down a rung for his next outing after he issued five free passes over three innings for Triple-A Fresno on Friday. His control had been shaky (nine walks over 14.1 innings) in the weeks leading up to his placement on the DL, but so long as he shows improvement this week, McCullers should be back contributing for the big club in short order.

Blackburn will get a CT scan on his right hand Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday, and while preliminary tests revealed no structural damage, the A's want to send him for additional tests to make sure there is no hairline fracture. A more concrete timetable for his return should materialize once the test results are known.

Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings Friday but came away with a no-decision in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

The veteran righty now sports a 2.49 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 69:15 K:BB in 61.1 innings since the All-Star break, and he continues to make contending teams who passed on the chance to trade for him at the deadline regret their decision. Despite his current form, Verlander will be a risky fantasy play next week, as he takes the mound in Coors Field on Wednesday.