MLB Player News

Sears allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks.

Sears had been tagged for 12 runs over 5.2 innings across his previous two starts. He bounced back Friday, turning in his second quality start over five appearances in June, though he wasn't able to snap a winless skid that's now up to six games. The southpaw is now at a 5.00 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 62:29 K:BB over 90 innings through 17 starts. Sears hasn't displayed much upside and isn't likely to get much support in most games, making him a risky fantasy play. He's projected for a home start versus the Angels his next time out.

Blanco (8-3) took the loss Friday as the Astros were downed 7-2 by the Mets, surrendering six runs (three earned) on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

It was a tough night for the right-hander, who served up multiple long balls for the first time since May 3 and got tagged for three for the first time in his career. Despite his struggles keeping the ball in the park, Blanco nearly escaped with his fourth straight quality start due to an Alex Bregman error, but he fell one out short and got the hook after 98 pitches (65 strikes). Blanco will take a 2.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 84:37 K:BB through 90.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Pivetta (4-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on seven hits and a walk over four-plus innings in a 9-2 loss to the Padres. He struck out four.

The right-hander was cruising through four innings, but San Diego erupted for all nine of its runs in the fifth before Boston's pitching staff was able to secure an out. Pivetta served up a two-run homer to Kyle Higashioka to begin that offensive outburst. He's now been taken deep five times over his last three starts, stumbling to a 6.46 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over that stretch despite a 13:3 K:BB in 15.1 innings. Pivetta will try to keep the ball in the park in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Miami.

Ober allowed a run on two hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Ober left the game in line for the lead, but Griffin Jax allowed the tying run in the eighth inning. Ober has been absolutely dialed in over his last three starts, allowing just four runs with a 27:5 K:BB across 21.1 innings in that span. He's now at a 4.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 92:23 K:BB through 88 innings over 16 starts this season. The right-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Tigers.

Gilbert allowed two runs on four hits and struck out three without walking a batter over six innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Friday.

Gilbert had posted back-to-back starts of eight shutout innings, so this was a small step back. It was an improvement on his previous start versus the Twins, in which he allowed a season-high eight runs over four innings in Minnesota on May 9. Since that start, Gilbert has completed at least six frames in each of his last nine outings, earning eight quality starts in that span. He's at a stellar 2.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 102:21 K:BB over 112.1 innings across 17 outings this season. Gilbert's lined up for a tough matchup versus the Orioles in his next projected start.

Kikuchi (4-8) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays were routed 16-5 by the Yankees, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw was sharp to begin the game and actually took a 3-1 lead into the top of the sixth inning, but after allowing two straight singles to open the frame, Juan Soto flipped the script with a three-run blast that chased Kikuchi from the game. Kikuchi has been tagged for 13 runs in only 11 innings over his last three starts, inflating his ERA to 4.18 with a 1.31 WHIP and 93:21 K:BB through 88.1 innings. He'll look to turn things around in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Astros.

Stroman came away with a no-decision in Friday's 16-5 rout of the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander made his big-league debut with the Jays in 2014 and had trouble keeping his composure in his return to Toronto, getting the hook after 88 pitches (52 strikes) and not sticking around long enough to benefit from a season-best offensive explosion by the Yankees. Stroman completed six innings only once in five June starts, but on the year he still sports a 3.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 70:43 K:BB through 95.2 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Reds.

Plesac yielded two runs on a hit and four walks over 2.2 innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during the win over Detroit.

Plesac retired eight straight batters to begin the game before unraveling in the third inning. With two outs in the frame, he put five straight runners on base and walked in a pair of runs. He posted a quality start in his season debut but has been tagged with eight runs in six frames over his last two outings, shooting his season ERA up to 8.25. As things stand, Plesac is lined up to start in Oakland next week, but it's unclear if he'll get another turn in the rotation.

Maeda allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out four during the loss to the Angels.

Maeda was tagged with a two-run shot by Luis Rengifo in the first inning but settled in for a solid outing. In six starts since returning from the injured list, Maeda has registered a 4.71 ERA. That's helped lower his season mark to 5.76 alongside a 45:19 K:BB through 59.1 frames. Maeda hasn't earned a win since May 24 and hasn't finished at least six innings since May 1. He's in line for a road start against his former team, the Twins, next week.

Thorpe (2-1) earned the win Friday versus Colorado, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out four.

The Chicago right-hander shined in this outing, allowing just three baserunners en route to his second straight quality start. The only blemish on Thorpe's performance was a two-run homer allowed to Brenton Doyle in the sixth inning. Over his first four career starts, the White Sox rookie sports a 4.43 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 13:12 K:BB across 20.1 innings. He's currently slated to make his next appearance against the Guardians in Cleveland.