MLB Player News

Brown (10-5) earned the win Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on six hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

It was another strong performance from the All-Star right-hander, who pitched at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer for a fourth consecutive start. While the four punchouts tied for his second-lowest total of the year, Brown is now up to 10 outings of at least six frames while surrendering one run or no runs in 2025. Brown will take an excellent 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 164:43 K:BB over 143 frames into his next scheduled appearance, which is likely to come in Detroit against the first-place Tigers.

Kelly did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks. He gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings.

Facing his former team, Kelly turned in a solid bounce-back effort after giving up four runs in just 4.1 frames in his previous outing against the Phillies. The 36-year-old Kelly has held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts. His ERA sits at 3.36 with a 1.09 WHIP and 136:44 K:BB across 25 starts (144.2 innings) between Texas and Arizona. Kelly is currently lined up to face the Royals on the road in his next start.

Lugo came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Nationals, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two.

The veteran righty served up two homers, including a first-inning grand slam to Nathaniel Lowe, before getting the hook after 92 pitches (53 strikes), but Lugo escaped a loss when Kansas City was able to tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth. Lugo's two worst outings of the season have been his last two, as he's been tagged for 13 earned runs in just eight innings. Over 30.1 innings since the All-Star break he's labored to a 7.42 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB. The Royals have a day off Thursday and have some options if they want to give Lugo extra rest, but he currently lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rangers.

Smith came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Tigers, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander put together one of his stingiest performances of the season, although it wasn't exactly efficient as he needed 92 pitches (56 strikes) to record 15 outs. Smith wasn't rewarded for his efforts, however, as the White Sox offense managed only two hits on the afternoon. Smith has looked good since returning from an ankle injury at the beginning of August, giving up four runs in 14.1 innings (2.51 ERA) with a 17:8 K:BB over three starts, but all three resulted in no-decision. He'll look for his first win since June 10 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Atlanta.

Melton (3-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the White Sox, allowing just one hit over five scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Making his first big-league start since July 28, the rookie right-hander retired the first 12 batters he faced before Luis Robert doubled to lead off the fifth inning, but Melton made sure he would advance no further. Despite being on a limited pitch count, Melton lasted long enough to qualify for the win, firing an efficient 56 pitches (43 strikes). The Tigers don't have a vacancy in their rotation, so this was likely just a spot start to buy the team's regular starters some extra rest. Melton will head back to a long-relief role with a 2.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB over his first 22.1 MLB innings.

Eflin will undergo back surgery Monday and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 months, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Eflin had already been ruled out for the season after it was revealed he would need lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, and now there's a firmer timetable for the right-hander's recovery. The 31-year-old is hopeful the operation will allow him to put his nagging back issues -- which he revealed Wednesday have been a problem off and on for the past 5-to-6 years -- behind him, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. An impending free agent, Eflin hopes to be ready for the start of spring training, but it's not a given.

The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Gordon's latest stint with the big club lasted only one day, as he'll be sent down after yielding five runs (four earned) in a two-inning relief outing Tuesday versus the Red Sox. Jordan Weems is taking Gordon's spot on the roster.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Bergert will remain in the rotation and start Sunday against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Michael Lorenzen (oblique) will rejoin the rotation Saturday, but it will be Bailey Falter -- and not Bergert -- losing his rotation spot. Bergert has allowed four runs with a 10:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings in his two starts for the Royals and boasts a 2.87 ERA across 13 appearances (nine starts) between San Diego and Kansas City in 2025.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lorenzen (oblique) will rejoin the rotation Saturday versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Out since mid-July with a left oblique strain, Lorenzen built up to 85 pitches in his last rehab start, so he should be ready for a normal workload Saturday. Lorenzen has posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 99.2 innings for the Royals this season. Bailey Falter has been moved to the bullpen to make room for Lorenzen in the rotation.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Falter will move to the bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Michael Lorenzen (oblique) is ready to rejoin the rotation this weekend, and it's Falter who will shift to relief to accommodate Lorenzen's return. Falter has been pummeled for nine runs on 11 hits and five walks over eight innings in two starts since the Royals acquired him at the trade deadline. The lefty is likely to be used in a mop-up role.