MLB Player News

Cueto (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Marlins were downed 8-4 by the Phillies, surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

All five runs scored in a disastrous second inning that put Miami in a hole its offense couldn't climb out of, and Cueto got the hook in the fourth after 92 pitches (61 strikes). It's the first time in seven starts the 37-year-old righty has failed to complete five innings, but he hasn't exactly been effective over that stretch, posting a 5.84 ERA through 37 innings thanks to 10 homers allowed despite a solid 1.22 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB. The Marlins remain in the NL wild-card hunt, sitting 1.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for the third and final spot heading into Sunday, but unless Sandy Alcantara (forearm) makes a heroic return, Cueto isn't likely to be dropped from the rotation. He faces a potentially tough matchup in his next outing, as he lines up to take the mound next weekend in a home series against Atlanta.

Irvin came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Nationals' 7-6 extra-innings win over the Dodgers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The 26-year-old righty delivered his fourth quality start in his last five outings and out-pitched more heralded rookie Bobby Miller in the process, but Irvin saw his potential fourth win of the season slip away when Kyle Finnegan blew the save in the ninth. Since the beginning of August, Irvin has produced an impressive 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB through 34 innings as he looks to lock himself into the Nats' 2024 rotation plans. He's next set to take the mound next weekend in Milwaukee.

Miller came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Dodgers' 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Nationals, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

First pitch was delayed by over four hours due to rain, and Miller ended up delivering an erratic performance once the tarp was rolled back. The rookie right-hander set a new personal best for strikeouts in a start, generating 33 called or swinging strikes on 99 pitches, but he also gave up more than four runs for the first time since June 24. Miller also served up a homer for the fourth straight outing -- a two-run shot by Lane Thomas in the seventh inning -- and over that stretch he has a 4.78 ERA and 22:6 K:BB through 26.1 innings. Miller will look to get back on track in his next start, likely to come next weekend in Seattle.

Lugo (6-7) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings.

Lugo surrendered just one long ball in the outing -- a third-inning solo shot by Yordan Alvarez -- but Houston racked up three doubles among its seven hits against him. Two of the two-baggers came in the fifth frame, resulting in three of the five runs the Astros piled on in that inning. Lugo had been on a roll coming into Saturday, allowing just two earned runs while posting a 23:6 K:BB over 24 frames covering his previous four starts. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, tentatively slated to come in Oakland late next week.

Spiers (0-1) took the loss against St. Louis on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one batter over three-plus innings.

Spiers got his second big-league start after tossing four innings against the Cubs last Sunday, but he wasn't able to impress in the opportunity. The right-hander was handed a 3-1 lead through two frames but allowed the Cardinals to draw even on a two-run homer by Willson Contreras in the third. Spiers was allowed to return for the fourth, but he was pulled after giving up an inning-opening single to Tommy Edman. The rookie hurler was hurt by his wildness -- he walked three batters, and two of those came around to score. Spiers has given up seven runs on 10 hits while posting an 8:5 K:BB over seven frames across his two outings. With the Reds fighting for a playoff spot and likely welcoming a trio of starters (Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson and Ben Lively) who have been on the COVID-19 IL back soon, Spiers may be headed back to the minors in short order.

Steele allowed just one run on six hits across seven innings but did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He had no walks and struck out six.

Steele dazzled, but the Cubs managed just one run while he was in there and only two for the whole game as they fell in 10 innings. The lefty was excellent nonetheless, and over his last five starts he has a 1.36 ERA with 39 strikeouts across 33 innings. For the season, Steele has a stellar 2.49 ERA, and he's firmly in the NL Cy Young race. He'll look to keep rolling and pick up his 17th win in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Friday against these same Diamondbacks.

Webb (10-12) earned the win Saturday over the Rockies, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings.

Webb was sharp, throwing 61 of 93 pitches for strikes. It was his third straight quality start, and it snapped a six-start winless skid for the right-hander. Webb is now at a 3.40 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 177:29 K:BB through a career-high 193 innings over 30 starts this year. With the Giants on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot, Webb will likely be leaned on down the stretch. He's projected to make his next start at Colorado.

Anderson (0-5) allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Giants.

Anderson's second start back from shoulder inflammation went worse than his four-inning effort against Toronto last weekend. Thairo Estrada got to him for a two-run home run in the first inning and the Giants rallied for four more runs in the fourth. Anderson is now at a 6.49 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 50:24 K:BB through 68 innings between the Rockies and the Rays this year. He figures to stick in Colorado's rotation, if mostly by default. The right-hander is projected for a home rematch versus the Giants next week.

Dodd (2-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over four-plus innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Pirates.

Dodd's first major-league outing since June 14 didn't go very well. He ran into trouble in the third inning when the Pirates rallied for three runs, and more issues emerged before he got a quick hook in the fifth. The rookie left-hander has a 7.62 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB over 28.1 innings across six starts. Darius Vines allowed one run over three innings in a relief assignment Saturday, so it's unclear if Dodd will be in the mix for any starts beyond this one, especially if Kyle Wright (shoulder) is activated next week.

Oviedo allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Saturday.

Oviedo failed to complete four innings for the second outing in a row. He had a season-high six walks in his last start, but Atlanta's offense was able to rack up hits with ease Saturday, though it failed to hit a home run off the right-hander. He's allowed at least three runs in four of his last six outings. For the year, Oviedo has a 4.34 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 140:71 K:BB through 161.2 innings across 29 starts. He's tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Nationals next week.