MLB Player News

Kirby (12-11) got the win Sunday over the Rangers after tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three.

The lone hit against Kirby was a single in the second inning and he immediately got a double-play ball on the very next pitch. It was Kirby's 27th quality start with zero walks since 2022, which is seven more than any other player over that span. Seven innings ties his longest outing of the year, and it was his first time going that deep since July 26. His strikeout numbers have dipped a bit lately, as he's struck out fewer than five batters in four of his last five starts. Overall, Kirby is enjoying another strong campaign with a 3.62 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 169:22 K:BB in 179 innings. His next start projects to come on the road against the Rangers again this weekend.

Burke (1-0) yielded two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win against the Athletics.

Burke sprinkled a few baserunners over four shutout frames before Brent Rooker drilled a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Burke picked up his first career win in his second MLB appearance. He forced 15 whiffs, including seven with the slider. Burke has registered a 2.25 ERA and an 8:3 K:BB through eight MLB frames. He's in line for a weekend start in San Diego.

Brubaker (elbow/oblique) resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Brubaker made his first appearance in more than two months, as his rehab from Tommy John surgery had to be paused due to an oblique strain. The 30-year-old could be activated from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season, though it's difficult to imagine him pitching in anything more than a mop-up role out of the Yankees bullpen.

Heaney (5-14) took the loss Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings.

All three runs against Heaney came in the opening frame when Mitch Garver crushed a first-pitch fastball out to center field. Heaney had to work around some traffic on the bases in the second, third and fifth innings but ultimately held the Mariners scoreless after the three-run first. The seven hits allowed were the most by Heaney since he allowed seven on July 26 and he's now given up a home run in back-to-back starts. He's also lost to Seattle in all three meetings this year. For the season, Heaney owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 152:40 K:BB in 150.1 innings. He lines up to face the Mariners again at home over the weekend.

Rodriguez allowed a run on three hits and one walk over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out two during the win over St. Louis.

Rodriguez worked through four shutout frames before the Cardinals tallied a run in the fifth inning. He's thrown fewer than six innings in 11 consecutive appearances, registering a 4.75 ERA while going 0-3 over 47.1 frames during that span. Rodriguez owns a 4.29 ERA with a 77:35 K:BB through 77.2 innings on the year. His next start is lined up to be in Tampa Bay.

Dana (1-2) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Astros.

Dana allowed five runs for the second start in a row, though he was able to pitch fairly well the first time through the order. Four of the five runs on his line came in the fourth inning. Dana now has a 10.45 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB over 10.1 innings through three big-league starts. The 20-year-old offers little fantasy appeal in redraft formats, but this rough first stint in the majors shouldn't impact his long-term outlook. He's tentatively projected for a rematch with the Astros in Houston for his next start.

Blanco (11-6) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Blanco struggled with a 4.98 ERA over 34.1 innings across seven appearances immediately after the All-Star break. He's since turned things around with a 13-inning scoreless streak over three outings (two starts) in September, though it likely helped that he had a turn through the rotation skipped last week. Overall, Blanco has a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 154:64 K:BB through 156.1 innings this season. If the Astros stick with a six-man rotation this week, Blanco is lined up to face the Angels again, with that outing in Houston.

Bradley (6-11) yielded two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against Cleveland.

Bradley escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but was charged with a run in each of the second and fifth frames. While he threw 99 pitches despite not finishing five innings, he managed to generate 15 whiffs, including eight from the splitter. Bradley hasn't earned a win since July 25 and has now lost seven straight decisions. During the losing streak, he's posted a brutal 7.88 ERA over nine starts. Bradley will carry a 4.39 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be at home against the Blue Jays.

Lively (12-9) allowed four hits and a walk over five-plus shutout innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a win over the Rays.

Lively worked around a small threat in the first inning but otherwise didn't face much resistance from the Rays' lineup. He gave up two straight singles to begin the sixth inning before Cade Smith came in to clean up the mess. Lively picked up his first win since Aug. 24 and lowered his season ERA to 3.87 through 142 innings. He had given up 10 runs over 10.1 innings in his previous three starts entering Sunday. Lively is projected to make his next start in St. Louis.

Leiter appeared out of the bullpen in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners, taking a no-decision while striking out six batters and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over four innings.

After starting in each of his prior six appearances with the Rangers on the season, Leiter shifted to the bullpen Saturday while Max Scherzer (shoulder) made his return from the 15-day injured list. Since Scherzer wasn't fully stretched out after making just one rehab start prior to his activation, the Rangers ended up deploying him in tandem with Leiter, with both pitchers covering four innings and tossing 73 and 71 pitches, respectively. Scherzer and Jacob deGrom -- who returned from the IL on Friday -- should have longer leashes in their next outings this upcoming weekend versus Seattle, so Leiter may not be asked to piggyback either pitcher and may instead work in a more flexible relief role.