MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Dunning was removed after four innings in his start during Monday's 4-3 win over the Pirates because he was displaying diminished velocity and spin on his pitches, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander averaged just 88.1 miles per hour with his fastball in the outing, which was down nearly two ticks from his season average. Bochy noted that he doesn't think Dunning is dealing with an injury, and the right-hander doesn't appear in line to undergo any testing. Dunning is tentatively slated for a start this weekend in Cleveland, but it's possible those plans could change.

Matthews (1-1) took the loss against San Diego on Monday, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five innings.

Matthews was given a one-run lead in the top of the first inning, but he allowed the Padres to score twice in the bottom of the frame. The rookie hurler allowed three more runs in the third -- those were all unearned, though the error that led to them was committed by Matthews himself. The right-hander added to the miscue with a pair of walks in the inning, which was very uncharacteristic for him given his minuscule 0.6 BB/9 over 97 frames in the minors this season. Matthews' command has been consistently outstanding throughout his time as a pro, so that aspect of his pitching will likely carry over to the majors. However, he made only four appearances at the Triple-A level (and registered a 5.68 ERA over 19 innings) prior to his call-up to the majors, so fantasy managers would probably be wise to tempter expectations as he adjusts to facing big-league hitters.

Woo (5-2) allowed two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 6.1 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Monday.

Woo didn't allow a run to advance past first base over his first six innings, but Gavin Lux tagged him for a solo home run in the seventh. It was still a fourth straight quality start for Woo, who has allowed a total of five runs over 27 innings through four starts in August. He's now at a 2.12 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 61:9 K:BB through 80.2 innings over 15 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Giants this weekend.

Bradley (6-8) took the loss against Oakland on Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Following a dominant nine-start stretch from early June to late July, Bradley entered Monday in a funk, posting a 9.64 ERA and 1.93 WHIP while losing three straight outings. The right-hander showed some improvement against the A's -- he notched a quality start and was moderately efficient with 89 pitches over six frames -- but he took another defeat and walked more batters (three) than he struck out (two). Bradley also surrendered another long ball, and he's now given up five home runs over his past 20 innings after surrendering just three homers across 55 frames during the aforementioned nine-start stretch. Bradley looked like a potential league-winner in fantasy while he was on his hot streak, but his recent fade is bringing back memories of his tumble late last season, when he posted a 7.11 ERA over his final 13 outings after beginning the campaign with a 3.86 mark across his first 10 starts.

Cannon (2-7) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings to take the loss Monday versus the Giants.

The Giants rallied for four runs in the fifth inning, and Matt Chapman lifted a solo home run in the sixth. Cannon had allowed no more than four runs in his previous eight starts, so this was a step backward for him, especially considering San Francisco's struggles on offense. Cannon is now at a 4.26 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 59:24 K:BB through 86.2 innings over 16 appearances (14 starts) this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Tigers this weekend.

Boyle (3-5) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Monday, allowing two hits and issuing three walks while striking out six batters over six scoreless innings.

Both of the hits Boyle gave up were singles, and he didn't allow any runner to reach third base until his final frame. The right-hander recorded his first quality start of the campaign and tied his season high with six punchouts. Boyle returned from the minors last Tuesday and allowed four runs in four innings but was given another turn in the rotation, so it stands to reason that he'll remain in a starting role for the big club given his bounce-back performance Monday. He's tentatively scheduled to face Milwaukee at home this weekend.

Houck allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Houck held the Astros scoreless until the fourth inning, when he allowed a pair of runs (one of which was unearned). The right-hander surrendered another run in the sixth but was able to complete that frame for his third consecutive quality start. Houck departed in line for the win, but a late Astros rally stuck him with a no-decision. He hasn't picked up a victory in any of his past six outings despite notching four quality starts in that span.

Kikuchi allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Boston on Monday.

Kikuchi fell behind early, giving up a leadoff homer to Jarren Duran on the first pitch of the contest. The Red Sox added an unearned run in the frame but managed only one more run -- again unearned -- before Kikuchi's exit with two outs in the sixth inning. Though he hasn't been able to complete six frames in any of his four outings in August, the southpaw has worked into the sixth on each occasion and hasn't given up more than two earned runs. Kikuchi also continues to pile up strikeouts -- he has 31 over 22.1 innings during the four-start stretch and is up to 161 across 138 frames on the campaign.

Gausman (11-9) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across five-plus innings. He struck out five.

Gausman was inefficient Monday, hitting 100 pitches before he retired a batter in the sixth inning. He exited the game with runners on first and second -- though the lead runner reached on a dropped third strike -- and Gausman's replacement Ryan Burr allowed both runners to score. the loss was Gausman's first in seven starts, a stretch where he's logged a 3.42 ERA across 47.1 innings. The 33-year-old is tentatively scheduled to face the Angels this weekend.

Rogers didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Rogers allowed three hits in the first inning -- including a two-run homer to J.D. Martinez -- but settled in afterward. Still, he wasn't able to finish out the fifth inning, being pulled after 91 pitches. Depth has been an issue for the left-hander lately, as he hasn't completed six innings since June 27. In four starts with the Orioles, Rogers is 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA and a 12:10 K:BB across 19 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Astros this weekend.