MLB Player News

Maeda allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 4.2 innings of relief versus the Giants on Friday. He didn't factor in the decision in the Tigers' 3-2 loss.

Maeda continues to stretch out in anticipation of a return to the rotation -- he threw 72 pitches (46 strikes) Friday, up slightly from 69 pitches in his previous outing. The veteran right-hander had a decent performance but couldn't sustain a 2-0 lead, allowing a run to score on a sacrifice fly in both the seventh and eighth innings. Maeda is now at a 6.59 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 66:24 K:BB over 84.2 innings across 21 appearances (16 starts). He's projected to make his next appearance at home versus the Mariners, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him follow an opener at least one more time.

Miller (9-7) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Mets.

This was Miller's third scoreless outing in his last five starts, as well as his fourth quality start in that span. The 25-year-old right-hander has found success lately by limiting the long ball, giving up just two home runs over his last seven outings. For the season, Miller has recorded a 3.46 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 119:31 K:BB over 132.2 innings across 23 starts. He's projected for a road outing in Detroit next week.

Cobb (0-1) took the loss in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Twins, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

Making his first start since last September, Cobb was shaky out of the gate, allowing a run in each of the first two innings before giving up a three-run homer to Matt Wallner in the fifth. The 36-year-old Cobb was solid with San Francisco last year, going. 7-7 with a 3.87 ERA in 28 starts. He's currently slated to make his next start at home versus the Cubs next week.

Varland didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader. He allowed three runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings while striking out four.

Varland was cruising early, allowing just three hits while blanking Cleveland through his first four innings. However, things quickly unraveled in the fifth, as the right-hander allowed five hits including a three-run homer to Josh Naylor. The 26-year-old has struggled to a 6.46 ERA in 30.2 innings in the majors this year with a 1.66 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB. However, he fared better in Triple-A, posting a 1.48 ERA in his last six outings with St. Paul. Varland could get an extended look in Minnesota's rotation down the stretch with Joe Ryan (shoulder) sidelined indefinitely. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.

Houck did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with one strikeout over six innings.

Houck allowed a run in the first inning but rebounded for five scoreless frames before departing with a 3-1 lead that the bullpen couldn't preserve. He generated only two swinging strikes on 82 pitches but also limited the Astros to four hard-hit balls. The 28-year-old's command remains worth monitoring, as he has posted a 19:19 K:BB in six starts between July and August. On the year, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 124:38 K:BB across 140 innings and lines up to face the Orioles next week.

Blanco did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Blanco surrendered a two-run double in the second inning and allowed another run to score on an errant pickoff attempt in the fourth. He was pulled at 88 pitches in his shortest appearance since being ejected after three innings May 14. The 30-year-old is winless in four outings since the All-Star break, yielding 12 earned runs across 19 innings while failing to log a quality start. On the season, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 126:51 K:BB across 128 innings and will try to get back on track in a matchup with the Rays next week.

Soriano didn't factor into the decision Friday against Washington, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

After allowing a run on a pair of hits and a walk in the first inning, Soriano proceeded to blank the Nationals over his final five frames, allowing just two additional hits. The 25-year-old has held opponents to one run or fewer in four of his last five outings. His ERA is down to 3.36 on the season with a 1.19 WHIP and 92:42 K:BB across 109.2 innings. Soriano's currently in line for a home matchup with Atlanta in his next outing.

Spence (7-8) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks with two strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Spence surrendered a leadoff homer to George Springer and was pulled an out shy of a quality start after allowing three hits and a run in the sixth. The rookie has pitched well since the All-Star break, yielding two earned runs or fewer and working into the sixth frame in each of his four outings. On the season, he owns a 4.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 86:31 K:BB across 106 innings and lines up to face the Mets on the road next week.

Littell (5-8) took the loss Friday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

After surrendering a home run to Colton Cowser to lead off the game, Littell managed to settle in and keep Baltimore off the board until the fifth, when Ryan O'Hearn drove in two more runs with a two-out single. The 28-year-old Littell had won back-to-back starts prior to Friday, allowing just one run in 12.2 innings. Overall, the right-hander sports a 4.11 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 113:24 K:BB across 124.2 innings this season. Littell's currently slated for a home matchup with the Astros in his next outing.

Berrios (10-9) earned the win against the Athletics on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Berrios allowed a solo home run in the third inning but was otherwise fantastic, limiting hard contact and generating 12 swinging strikes on 103 pitches. He has been inconsistent since the All-Star break, posting two seven-inning victories but also yielding eight earned runs across 9.2 frames in his other two outings. On the season, the 30-year-old owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 111:43 K:BB across 142.2 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Angels next week.