MLB Player News
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Carlos Carrasco RP | ATL
Guardians' Carlos Carrasco: Early exit in Philly
Carrasco (3-9) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on six hits and a walk over 3.2 innings as the Guardians fell 8-0 to the Phillies. He struck out five.
The veteran right-hander put up goose eggs for three innings before the wheels came off in the fourth, beginning with a two-run homer by Bryce Harper. It was Carrasco's shortest outing since April 6, and he had given Cleveland at least five innings in seven straight starts coming into Saturday, although with less-than-stellar results. On the season, he sports a 5.68 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 79:27 K:BB through 95 innings. With the trade deadline looming, prospect Joey Cantillo getting a look Sunday and Matthew Boyd (elbow) getting stretched out in the minors, Carrasco's time in the rotation could be drawing to a close, but for now he's scheduled to make his next start at home next weekend against the Orioles.
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Zack Littell SP | WAS
Rays' Zack Littell: Blanks Cincy for fourth win
Littell (4-7) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Reds, scattering three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.
The 28-year-old right-hander was masterful over 96 pitches (60 strikes), as Cincinnati managed to get only two runners into scoring position against him. The quality start was the eighth of the year for Littell, but only his second in his last eight trips to the mound, a stretch in which he has a 5.22 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. With the Rays in sell mode at the trade deadline and Littell headed for his final year of arbitration in 2025, Saturday's performance can only have boosted his market value. If he doesn't get dealt, he's scheduled to make his next start for Tampa Bay on the road next weekend in Houston.
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Luis Garcia SP | NYY
Astros' Luis Garcia: Set for sim game
Garcia (elbow) will throw a sim game either Tuesday or Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Garcia threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and will now be set to face hitters. General manager Dana Brown also stated Friday that he believes Garcia will return to game action this season, though it could come as a reliever.
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Justin Verlander SP | DET
Astros' Justin Verlander: Tops 50 pitches
Verlander (neck) threw more than 50 pitches in his bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.
The exact number of pitches wasn't reported, but this was a step forward from his last session July 20 when he threw 40 pitches. It's expected that Verlander will return from the injured list in the upcoming week, though the team's exact plans are unclear.
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Ronel Blanco RP | HOU
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Fans nine in no-decision
Blanco allowed four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.
Blanco gave up at least one run in three of the five frames in which he pitched, though the final two runs charged to his ledger came after he departed in the fifth inning. While the right-hander's final line was mostly unimpressive, he did manage to rack up a season-high nine punchouts while inducing 18 swinging strikes. Saturday marked the first time in 10 starts that Blanco failed to complete five innings, though he's now given up four runs in each of his past two appearances.
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Kutter Crawford SP | BOS
Red Sox's Kutter Crawford: Tagged for three homers
Crawford allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out five over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Yankees on Saturday. He did not walk a batter.
Crawford has avoided issuing a walk in four of his last five outings, but it didn't lead to success in this start. He gave up home runs to Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Oswaldo Cabrera the first time through the order. Crawford has given up five or more earned runs in each of his last two starts after a streak of six games where he permitted no more than three earned runs. He's at a 3.60 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 117:29 K:BB through 122.1 innings over 21 starts this season. The right-hander is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Rangers.
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Marcus Stroman SP | NYY
Yankees' Marcus Stroman: Struggles in short start
Stroman allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk while failing to record a strikeout over 3.1 innings in a no-decision Saturday versus the Red Sox.
Stroman has failed to complete five innings in three of his last five starts, and he's lost the two outings in that span. The Red Sox did their damage against him in the first two innings, and Stroman exited at 60 pitches (34 strikes) after recording just 10 outs. For the season, he's carrying a 3.64 ERA, but that's up from 3.29 at the end of June. He's added a 1.35 WHIP and 83:48 K:BB through 113.2 innings over 21 starts. The veteran right-hander is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Blue Jays.
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Erick Fedde SP | CHW
White Sox's Erick Fedde: Stumbles versus Seattle
Fedde (7-4) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Saturday.
Fedde wasn't sharp, throwing 47 of 79 pitches for strikes in his shortest start of the season. He ran into trouble the second time through the order, as the Mariners put up all three runs on his line in the fourth inning. It was the first time over four starts in July he allowed more than two runs. The right-hander has been a pleasant surprise this year with a 3.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 108:34 K:BB through 121.2 innings over 21 starts. His career high for innings in a year in North America is 138.1 frames back in 2021, but he threw 180.1 innings in the KBO last year, so fatigue down the stretch shouldn't be an issue. Fedde is a likely trade candidate and this may have been his last start in a White Sox uniform.
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Seth Lugo SP | KC
Royals' Seth Lugo: Surrenders six runs to Cubs
Lugo (12-5) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 6.1 innings.
Lugo fell behind 2-0 on a Seiya Suzuki homer in the first inning but carried a 4-3 lead into the seventh. However, the veteran right-hander allowed Chicago's first three batters to reach base in that frame, and they all came around to score on a Patrick Wisdom grand slam following Lugo's departure. The six earned runs were a season-high mark for Lugo, who had pitched his first career complete game in his previous start. Saturday's poor outing pushed Lugo's season ERA up from 2.38 to 2.66.
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Joe Ryan SP | MIN
Twins' Joe Ryan: Fans eight in tough loss
Ryan (6-7) allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings Saturday, taking the loss versus the Tigers.
Ryan took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning but couldn't hold it as he allowed the go-ahead runs to score and ended up being tagged with the loss. Ryan has allowed three or more runs in four straight starts, but despite the low win total, he continues to make up for it with solid strikeout numbers. The 28-year-old has five or more strikeouts in nine straight starts, and his 138 punchouts this season are tied for ninth most in MLB.