MLB Player News

Miller did not factor into the decision in an extra-inning loss to the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The Yankees got to Miller for one run in the second after the right-hander allowed a one-out walk, followed by an RBI single off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. However, the 26-year-old would recover nicely, hurling four scoreless frames before being relieved by Troy Taylor to open the seventh. Miller was unable to come away with the win, but he was able to log his third consecutive quality start while striking out at least seven batters for the third time in his last five outings. He now carries a 1.99 ERA in September (four starts) to go along with a 23:10 K:BB.

Cortes did not factor into the decision in an extra-inning win over the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings while striking out six.

Cortes allowed two men to reach in three of his six innings of work but managed to escape each jam without sustaining any damage. The southpaw would go on to complete six scoreless innings for the sixth time this season, but he was unable to come away with his 10th win due to a lack of run support. Cortes now carries a 2.79 ERA through three starts and one relief appearance in September while also logging six or more strikeouts in each of his last two outings. He's also issued three walks in each of his last two starts.

Bradford (6-3) picked up the win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, allowing five hits and no walks over seven scoreless frames while striking out six.

Bradford had a no-hitter going through the first four innings before Alejandro Kirk tagged him for a single to lead off the fifth. The southpaw would get through the frame unscathed, however, and allowed just two batters to reach second base during his seven innings on the mound. It marked Bradford's second time this season in which he held the opposing team scoreless through six or more frames, and he's now posted quality starts in six of his last seven outings. He's 2-1 through three starts in September with a 4.86 ERA to go along with a 14:2 K:BB.

Pepiot allowed one run on two hits and no walks while striking out 12 batters over six innings in a no-decision against Boston on Wednesday.

Pepiot lasted just two frames in his previous start, but he had a longer leash -- and pitched much better -- Wednesday. The right-hander needed just 76 pitches to notch a quality start and record a career-high 12 punchouts, though he had to settle for a no-decision in a game during which the Rays' offense managed just one run. Pepiot may be held to less than a full workload moving forward, though he showed Wednesday that he can still be effective even when not accumulating a typical starter's pitch count.

Houck allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Houck was cleared to start for the first time in two weeks following a bout of right shoulder fatigue, but the Red Sox elected to treat him with caution and pull him after 60 pitches despite an effective performance. The right-hander had good control in throwing 70 percent of his pitches for strikes, and he yielded just a second-inning run. If he came out of the outing without any setbacks, Houck could have a longer leash in his next start, which lines up to come in Toronto next week.

Valdez (14-7) took the loss Wednesday against San Diego, allowing one run on five hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out six.

Valdez's seven innings of one-run ball weren't enough to keep him from the loss column, as Dylan Cease fired 8.1 scoreless innings for the Padres. Valdez has been excellent since the start of August, tallying a 1.33 ERA and 57:15 K:BB across 54.1 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Mariners his next time out.

Ober allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out 12 batters over seven innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Ober tallied 17 whiffs while demonstrating excellent command by throwing 70 of 101 pitches for strikes. The only negative aspect of his performance is that two of the four hits against him left the park, which played a part in preventing him from emerging with a victory. Nonetheless, Ober picked up his third quality start across his past five outings, and in those trio of quality starts he's surrendered just six hits while allowing only three runs and posting a 27:3 K:BB across 20 frames. It should be mentioned, though, that in the two other starts during that five-game span, Ober has struggled, yielding 14 runs with an 8:4 K:BB over 8.2 frames.

Marsh (8-9) took the loss versus the Tigers on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings.

Marsh needed 73 pitches (39 strikes) to get eight outs in a poor start. It's a step back after his one-run, 11-strikeout effort versus the Pirates last Friday, and it's the poorest of his five outings since he rejoined the big-league rotation in late August. Marsh is now at a 4.65 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 121:39 K:BB over 124 innings across 25 appearances (24 starts) this year. Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) lasted 3.1 innings in a rehab start last Friday with Triple-A Omaha, but he also experienced more than the usual soreness after that outing. The last spot in the Royals' rotation is due up again on the road versus the Nationals, and it's unclear if Marsh is in contention for that start, which would likely be his last of the regular season if he gets it.

Skubal (17-4) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven over five innings to earn the win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Skubal was pushed back a day after dealing with an injury to his non-throwing hand. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last eight starts, though this was tied for his shortest outing in that span. Over that sample, he's allowed 12 runs while posting a 59:8 K:BB across 48.2 innings. Skubal continues to maintain Cy Young credentials this season with a 2.48 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 221:34 K:BB across 185 innings over 30 starts. The Tigers are also just a half game out of the last wild-card spot following Wednesday's action, so Skubal is likely to remain active as long as a playoff spot is up for grabs. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Rays.

Bibee allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Wednesday.

Bibee allowed a run in the first inning but yielded just one more run over the remainder of his outing. The right-hander notched his third quality start over his past four appearances, a span in which he's posted a 3.04 ERA over 23.2 frames. Bibee has a 14:1 K:BB in 12.2 innings over his past two starts after posting a less impressive 10:6 K:BB across 11 innings over his previous two outings.