MLB Player News

Bibee (8-4) picked up the win Friday, scattering two hits and three walks over 5.2 innings in a 7-0 victory over the Padres. He struck out three.

San Diego didn't get a runner past second base against Bibee, who got the hook after 102 pitches (67 strikes) just short of his eighth quality start of the season. While this was an encouraging outing after the right-hander gave up eight runs in 11.2 innings over his last two starts before the All-Star break, Bibee has issued multiple walks in three straight trips to the mound, something he hadn't done since April. He'll take a 3.58 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 126:30 K:BB through 110.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Tigers.

Stripling (elbow) gave up two earned runs on eight hits and no walks over five innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Las Vegas. He didn't strike out a batter.

Stripling worked efficiently in the third start of his rehab assignment, needing just 52 pitches (37 strikes) to record 15 outs. Unless Stripling padded his pitch count in a bullpen session after exiting Friday's game, the Athletics will likely want to see Stripling reach around 70 pitches in another rehab start before bringing him back from the 15-day injured list. Stripling has been on the shelf since May 25 with a right elbow flexor strain.

Flexen (2-9) yielded seven runs on four hits and five walks over 4.2 innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss against Kansas City.

Flexen allowed two runs through four innings before the Royals broke out with a five-run fifth. It was the second time he gave up seven runs in a start this year, with the last one coming against the Yankees on May 19. His season ERA jumped from 4.82 to 5.22 with the ugly start and he's produced a lackluster 75:41 K:BB through 101.2 innings. Flexen is currently lined up to start in Texas next week.

Wacha (7-6) allowed four hits and a walk over seven shutout frames Friday, striking out seven and earning a win over the White Sox.

Wacha gave up a leadoff double on the second pitch of the game but allowed just one other runner to reach scoring position during his outing. He retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced. Since giving up seven runs to the Rangers on May 4, Wacha hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start. During that 10-game stretch, he's 6-2 with a 2.30 ERA. Wacha dropped his season ERA down to 3.55 with an 85:28 K:BB through 96.1 innings. His next start is projected to be at home against the Diamondbacks.

Kochanowicz will start Saturday's game against the Athletics in Oakland.

The rookie right-hander will be making his second turn through the rotation despite laboring in his MLB debut versus Seattle back on July 11, when he lasted just three innings while surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits and no walks. Kochanowicz's spot in the rotation is far from secure over the long haul, so another poor showing in Oakland could put him at risk of a demotion to the minors.

Pivetta allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Pivetta posted a scoreless outing for the fourth time this year, including twice over three starts in July. While he was able to keep the Dodgers at bay, Zack Kelly and Brennan Bernardino combined to unravel in the eighth inning, culminating in a game-deciding grand slam from Freddie Freeman. Pivetta's winless stretch is now at five starts, and he remains at 4-6 on the year despite a solid 3.87 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 96:21 K:BB through 81.1 innings over 15 starts. The right-hander is projected for a difficult road start at Colorado in his next outing.

Brown (8-6) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five over six shutout innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Friday.

Brown walked multiple batters for the fourth time in five starts, but his only loss in that span came the one time he issued a single free pass. He's kept opponents off the board in five of his last eight outings and has record a quality start in 10 of his last 11 trip to the mound. Brown's walk rate is about the only issue for him at this point -- he has a 3.5 BB/9 overall, though since May 22 he has a 2.7 mark. The 25-year-old has added a 4.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 110:41 K:BB through 104.1 innings across 20 appearances (19 starts). Brown is projected to face the Athletics in a road start next week.

Castillo (8-10) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Astros.

All of the scoring came in the third inning, when Castillo allowed five straight batters (three hits, one walk, one hit-by-pitch) to reach base. While he was efficient, needing just 90 pitches (58 strikes) to get through seven frames, the Mariners' offense once again gave him little support. Castillo has logged three straight quality starts in July and now sits at a 3.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 119:35 K:BB through 124.1 innings over 21 starts this season. He's projected for a favorable home start versus the Angels in his next outing.

Sears (7-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits over 5.2 innings and struck out four without walking a batter to earn the win Friday over the Angels.

Sears gave up a pair of solo home runs, but he received enough run support to earn his third straight win. He's allowed four runs (three earned) over 16.1 innings while adding an 18:3 K:BB during that winning streak, which spans all of July. The southpaw is now at a 4.49 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 80:32 K:BB through 106.1 innings across 20 starts this season. Sears is projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros.

Canning said he was dealing with irritation in his right elbow when throwing his slider during Friday's loss to the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Canning only managed to get through 3.1 innings during Friday's contest, and his elbow issue may have played a factor in the six earned runs he gave up in that span. The 28-year-old noted that he's not too concerned about his elbow, though it's likely something that the Angels will want to keep an eye on leading up to his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come Wednesday in Seattle.