MLB Player News

Baz is battling the flu and won't start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Baz is feeling under the weather and won't make his scheduled start. It's unclear if the Rays intend to push Baz back a few days or skip his turn in the rotation entirely, and they have yet to name a replacement starter for Sunday.

The Athletics recalled Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Harris has been relatively effective in the big leagues this season, putting up a 2.98 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 54.1 innings. However, he's turned in a 4.94 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over 27.1 frames since being sent to Triple-A in late July. He'll presumably work out of the bullpen until he's able to find some consistency, at which point he could return to Oakland's rotation. Dany Jimenez was optioned to Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

Stripling fired 4.1 scoreless relief innings in a loss to the Brewers on Friday, allowing two hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.

Starter JP Sears was atypically ineffective and chased after 3.2 innings and 90 pitches, so Stripling was called on to deploy his multi-inning capabilities and ideally spare some of his bullpen mates. The one-time starter came through as hoped, getting 13 outs on 68 pitches to serve as a bridge to the ninth inning. The outing was only Stripling's second since officially being moved to the bullpen, with his first relief appearance having come nine days prior against the Mets.

Sears (10-9) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk over 3.2 innings in an 11-3 loss to the Brewers. He struck out three.

The southpaw saw his four-game quality start streak end with a resounding thud, as Rhys Hoskins and Joey Ortiz took him deep in a five-run second inning for Milwaukee. Sears has given up three runs or fewer in eight of his last 11 starts, but he's been hammered for at least seven runs in each of the other three -- volatility that has left him with a 4.50 ERA in 62 innings over that stretch despite a 1.18 WHIP and 58:10 K:BB. Sears will try to shake it off in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Festa (2-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Twins fell 6-1 to the Cardinals. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander tossed an inefficient 75 pitches (45 strikes) as he saw another early exit. The Twins are being cautious with Festa and the 24-year-old has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his first eight big-league appearances (seven starts), but that babying hasn't led to impressive numbers. Through 36.1 innings, he's served up seven homers and been saddled with a 5.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, despite a 44:11 K:BB that highlights his potential. Festa will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Wacha (11-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits over six innings in a 7-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander was sharp once again, tossing 64 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his fifth straight quality start and 13th of the season -- his highest total since 2017. Wacha also hasn't been stuck with a loss since June 22, winning seven straight decisions with a 2.40 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB over 60 innings since then. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cleveland.

Bibee (10-6) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against Texas.

All the damage against Bibee came during a disastrous four-run second inning. Outside of that frame, he let just one Ranger reach scoring position. He's failed to complete six innings in three straight starts and five of his last six outings. However, he's 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA over that stretch. Bibee now owns a 3.46 ERA with a 150:33 K:BB through 138 innings. His next outing is projected to be at home against the Royals.

Eovaldi (9-7) yielded three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Guardians.

Eovaldi coughed up a run in each of the second, third and fourth innings but came out on top due to the Rangers' four-run second frame. He snapped his three-start losing streak and picked up his first win since July 29. Through 16 starts, he owned an impressive 2.97 ERA over 94 innings. In seven outings since, he's produced a 5.77 ERA despite a strong 36:4 K:BB over 39 frames. Eovaldi will carry a 3.79 ERA into his next matchup, which is projected to be on the road against the White Sox.

Castillo allowed five runs on six hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over six innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Friday.

Castillo was in line for the loss until the Mariners rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning. He gave up a season-high three homers Friday, and the five runs against also matched his season high. He had allowed multiple homers just four times over his first 25 starts this year, but has now done so in back-to-back outings. Castillo is at a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 163:43 K:BB through 159.2 innings over 27 outings this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Rays next week.

Flexen allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out five during the loss to Detroit.

Flexen gave up a run in each of the first two innings Friday but settled down and turned in a quality start, his first since July 29 -- through his first 9.2 innings in August, he had a 9.31 ERA. Flexen has not earned a win since May 8. He'll carry a 5.34 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to come at home against Texas.