MLB Player News

Houser (4-2) picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Rockies, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks over eight innings. He struck out six.

While the 2025 edition of the Colorado offense doesn't present much of a challenge for pitchers, pitching at Coors Field carries its own risks, and Houser navigated them brilliantly. A throwing error by Josh Rojas in the fifth inning led to the only runs off the right-hander, as Houser generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 96 pitches (65 total strikes) en route to his third straight quality start and seventh in eight trips to the mound for the White Sox. He'll take a 1.60 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB through 50.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.

Morton (5-7) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a 3-2 victory over Atlanta. He struck out seven.

Facing the team he spent the last four seasons with, Morton generated 33 called or swinging strikes among his 97 pitches (66 total strikes) as he won his fifth straight decision. The 41-year-old righty hasn't been saddled with a loss since returning to the rotation at the end of May, going 5-0 over his last seven trips to the mound with a 2.97 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 44:11 K:BB through 36.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mets.

Sears (7-7) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out six over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

Sears has covered 11.2 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and five walks over his last two starts. He kept the Giants' offense under control Friday, and it appears the southpaw is turning a corner after mostly mixed results in May and June. He's now at a 4.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 73:24 K:BB through 92.2 innings over 18 starts this season. His next start is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.

Bubic (7-6) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Bubic allowed two runs in the first inning but never had to pitch from behind as the Royals broke out for nine runs of support. He also allowed a solo home run to Eugenio Suarez in the sixth. Bubic has had a bit of a rough patch since the start of June, allowing 18 runs (16 earned) over 34.2 innings across six starts. Still, this was his sixth start of seven innings this season, which is impressive considering he worked primarily as a reliever in 2024 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bubic is now at a 2.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 107:32 K:BB through 103 innings over 17 starts this season, which has been his best year in the majors so far. The southpaw is projected to make his next start at home versus the Pirates.

Alexander allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over three scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.

The Astros' lead was never in doubt, so Alexander had plenty of runs to work with in the blowout win. He spared the rest of the team's bullpen, turning in a 57-pitch outing to earn the first save of his major-league career. He's still at an 8.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 15 innings between the Astros and the Athletics this year, though he's been much better in limited action with Houston as a swingman. It's unclear if he'll stay in the majors after his call-up Friday -- either way, he won't be available to pitch at any level for at least a few days.

McCullers (2-3) allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.

McCullers rebounded from giving up eight runs to the Cubs in his previous start after returning from a toe injury. While he earned a quality start Friday, he walked four batters for the third start in a row as control continues to be an issue for the right-hander. He's also had to deal with diminished velocity in his first major-league season since 2022. McCullers is at a 5.82 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB through 38.2 innings over nine starts this year. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.

Ober continues to throw while on the injured list and has received medicine to eliminate inflammation in his injured left hip, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Since Ober wasn't shut down from throwing, he has a better chance to return from the injured list when first eligible right after the All-Star break. Once the swelling is gone from his hip, he'll increase his throwing activity, and a clearer timetable for his return will come into focus.

Matthews (shoulder) is set to throw a third bullpen session Sunday and could face live hitters next week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Matthews could be set to begin a rehab assignment in a week or so if all goes well. He's been on the shelf since June 8 due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. Matthews could be ready to return from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break.

Lopez (shoulder) will start throwing next week after an MRI showed his inflammation and swelling are "totally gone," Twins head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Lopez was diagnosed June 4 with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder and was expected to be out for approximately 8-to-12 weeks. So far all the reports of Lopez's progress have been encouraging, so he could return in the earlier part of that range. However, he still has several hurdles left to clear before a timetable comes into focus.

Olson settled for a no-decision after throwing 4.1 innings, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out three during Friday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.

In his first big-league start since hitting the injured list with a finger injury, Olson slogged through just over four innings of work, not making it through the requisite five required to be credited for a win in the game. The only damage came courtesy of a Jose Ramirez solo home run, just the third long ball the 25-year-old has allowed this season in 53 innings. It might take some time for Olson, who has a solid 2.89 ERA on the season, to fully get back into a rhythm, and he is scheduled to make what will likely be his last start before the All-Star break at home against the Rays on Wednesday.