MLB Player News

Soriano did not factor into the decision in a win over the Mets on Saturday, allowing five hits and two walks over six shutout innings. He struck out six.

Soriano kept the Mets' lineup on its toes Saturday, allowing only three men to reach second base over the course of six innings while inducing 14 swings and misses. Unfortunately for the right-hander, he was unable to come away with the win due to the bullpen immediately blowing the Angels' lead in the seventh, though he's now logged a quality start in three of his last four outings. Saturday also marked the second time this season in which Soriano's hurled six shutout frames, while his six strikeouts marked his highest total in that category since May 25 against the Guardians.

Spence (7-7) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings while striking out six.

Both runs charged to Spence came across in the top of the third when the right-hander walked Cavan Biggio to open the frame before then surrendering back-to-back hits with two outs. The 26-year-old pitched well outside of that frame, however, generating 13 swings and misses in the contest while reaching the six-strikeout mark for only the fourth time this season. Spence has now allowed two or fewer runs in three consecutive starts, surrendering just one home run over that stretch. On the downside, he's also walked multiple batters in four straight outings.

Bradford came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Red Sox, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

A pair of solo homers by Rob Refsnyder accounted for most of the damage off Bradford, but otherwise the southpaw acquitted himself fairly well in the spot start, tossing 41 of 59 pitches for strikes before leaving the mound. With Jon Gray (groin) joining Max Scherzer (shoulder) on the IL over the last week, the Rangers are scrambling for rotation help, and even Tyler Mahle's imminent return from Tommy John surgery will still leave one spot vacant. If Bradford remains in the rotation, he'll face a tough test in his next start -- it lines up to come on the road next weekend in Yankee Stadium.

DeGrom (elbow) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Dave Sessions of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom, who threw all of his pitches, simulated three innings in the bullpen and is ready to face hitters for his next outing. "Having a batter step in, the intensity will change a little bit, and that's where you really find out where you're at," deGrom said. The right-hander said he "felt good" but believes he still needs work on location.

Houck (8-8) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and two walks over five-plus innings as the Red Sox fell 7-4 to the Rangers. He struck out seven.

The right-hander appeared to be firmly in control to begin the game, blanking Texas through three innings, but the wheels came off for Houck in the fourth as Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras launched back-to-back homers off him. It's only the second time this season Houck has served up multiple homers in a start, but Saturday's outing marked the fifth straight in which he issued multiple free passes, and he sports a rough 4.78 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 18:16 K:BB through 26.1 innings over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Astros.

Lorenzen came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Tigers, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Making his first start for the Royals since being acquired from the Rangers, Lorenzen tossed an efficient 84 pitches (54 strikes) and blanked Detroit for five innings before stumbling in the sixth and getting the hook one out short of what would have been his ninth quality start of the year. The veteran right-hander will take a 3.69 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 80:50 K:BB through 107.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Cardinals.

Cantillo (0-1) took the loss against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four batters over four-plus innings.

Cantillo got through three scoreless frames before the Orioles touched him up for two runs in the fourth. The southpaw returned for the fifth inning but was pulled after giving up a leadoff double to Jackson Holliday, and Cantillo moved into position for the loss when Holliday scored following the hurler's departure. Cantillo showed some positives in notching 10 whiffs and issuing zero walks while recording four punchouts, but he's now given up six earned runs through his first 7.1 big-league innings.

Eflin (7-7) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 6.1 innings.

Eflin didn't overwhelm -- he recorded a modest nine whiffs and three punchouts -- but the only runs he allowed came on a two-run homer by Angel Martinez in the third inning. The right-handed hurler has won both of his outings since joining Baltimore via a trade with Tampa Bay at the deadline; prior to the deal, he had gone three straight starts without a victory. Eflin also has recorded consecutive quality starts since joining the Orioles, as many as he had accumulated in his previous 11 appearances combined prior to the trade.

Crochet allowed one run on one hit and four walks while striking out two batters over four innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Saturday.

Crochet gave up only one hit (though it was a solo homer), but he struggled with his control, throwing just 43 of 77 pitches for strikes and issuing a season-high four walks. That likely was a major factor in the left-hander getting pulled after four frames, though it can't be glossed over that he's thrown nearly 100 more innings this season than he did in 2022 (when he missed the entire campaign) and 2023 combined. The White Sox stated in late July that they don't intend to shut down Crochet or move him to the bullpen, but he hasn't pitched more than four innings or thrown more than 77 pitches in any of his past five starts while experiencing a clear downturn in his performance. His season numbers (3.19 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 162 Ks) are still great, but Crochet's fantasy managers should anticipate a managed workload moving forward, and those in redraft leagues may want to consider getting what they can for him rather than waiting for a bounce-back.

Blanco (9-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings, taking the loss versus the Rays on Saturday.

A two-run home run by Josh Lowe in the fifth inning was enough to saddle Blanco with the loss. While he's allowed exactly two runs in four of his last six starts, he has an unfortunate 1-3 record in that span. The 30-year-old continues to put together an impressive campaign with a 2.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 121:48 K:BB through 124 innings over 21 starts. His next outing is projected to be at Boston.