MLB Player News

Houser (3-3) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and two walks over four-plus innings as the Brewers were downed 10-7 by Atlanta. He struck out three.

After tying his career high by fanning 10 batters in his last outing, Houser crashed back to earth against the offense that leads the majors in homers and OPS, getting tagged for at least six runs for the first time since May 30. The right-hander got the hook after 90 pitches (55 strikes), and since the beginning of June he's posted a 4.64 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB through 42.2 innings. Houser remains a streaming option at best in most fantasy formats, but he could be worth deploying in his next start, likely to come on the road next week against the Nationals.

Gore (6-8) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings as the Nationals were downed 5-1 by the Mets. He struck out two.

The southpaw put runners on base in every inning, but he kept New York off the board until the fifth, when two straight walks to open the frame set the stage for a three-run blast by Pete Alonso. Gore exited the game having thrown only 57 of 95 pitches for strikes, and he's issued multiple free passes in seven of his last eight outings, posting a 5.11 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB through 37 innings over that stretch. He'll look for a better result in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Brewers.

Musgrove (10-3) allowed four hits and two walks over six shutout frames Friday, striking out five and earning a win over Texas.

Musgrove gave up two extra-base hits and had to work around some tight spots but still turned in his fourth scoreless appearance of the year. It took him about a month to shake off the early season rust, but he's been incredible since then; over his last 12 starts, Musgrove is 9-1 with a 1.84 ERA. On the year, his ERA sits at 3.05 to go with a 97:21 K:BB. His next start is projected to be in Colorado.

Garrett did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one unearned run on five hits and one walk over six innings in a 6-5 victory over the Tigers. He struck out six.

Garrett didn't allow an earned run versus the Tigers after surrendering 16 over his previous four starts. The long ball had been the left-hander's primary issue. He'd given up six home runs over five contests coming into Friday's matchup, including three last time out versus Colorado. Garrett has shown flashes of being an elite big-league pitcher, but he struggles to put everything together on a consistent basis. Regardless. He's already set a career high with 111 strikeouts this year and will continue to add to that total as long as he stays healthy.

Wheeler (8-5) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over 6.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out 11.

Wheeler completed at least six innings for a fourth straight game and recorded his third outing of the season with at least 11 strikeouts. The right-hander hasn't been perfect this year, but he sports a solid 3.74 ERA and a stellar 145:24 K:BB across 21 starts (125 innings). Wheeler is under contract through 2024, but if he keeps pitching like he has recently (33:2 K:BB over last four appearances), the 33-year-old could start thinking about another long-term deal soon.

Keller (9-7) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out eight.

Keller recorded at least eight strikeouts for the ninth time across 22 starts this season, but he finished one out away from a quality start and suffered his seventh loss. The right-hander came into the contest having allowed 14 runs over his past two starts, so Friday's outing was certainly a bounce-back performance, though still not good enough to pull out a win against Zack Wheeler and the Phillies. At one point, Keller was in the midst of a breakout campaign and the Pirates were contending for a division title, but his recent struggles have marred some of the excellent work he did earlier in the campaign. Either way, with 145 strikeouts he's already eclipsed the career-high mark he set last year (138) and is poised to continue adding to that total despite Pittsburgh falling completely out of the playoff picture.

Williamson (3-2) allowed two runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings to pick up the win Friday over the Dodgers.

Williamson's 12 baserunners were by far his most in an appearance this season, but he was able to work around the trouble. He finishes July having not allowed more than two runs in any outing, and he gave up just seven runs over 25.2 innings across his five starts for the month. Williamson has a 4.48 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:27 K:BB through 64.1 innings through 13 starts this year. He's projected for a road start versus the Cubs next week.

Miller (6-2) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Reds.

The Reds did their damage in the first inning, which included Jake Fraley tagging Miller for a two-run home run. Miller appears to be mostly back on track, having allowed seven runs over his last 15.2 innings following a rough stretch in the latter half of June. The rookie right-hander has a 4.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 59:16 K:BB through 59.2 innings over 11 starts this season. He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Padres next week, though that could change if the Dodgers continue to add starting pitching ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Miller likely has the upper hand on remaining in the rotation over Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove, who have both struggled lately and will get one more audition each over the remainder of this weekend's series.

Webb (8-9) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 7.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Red Sox.

Webb turned in a quality start in response to his 1.1-inning disaster start versus the Nationals last weekend. The Giants' offense remained cold Friday, limited to just two runs on six hits and a walk, leaving Webb with a tough-luck loss. The right-hander posted four quality starts over five outings in July and ends the month with a 3.49 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 140:24 K:BB through 141.2 innings over 22 starts this season. Webb is projected for a home start versus the Diamondbacks next week.

DeSclafani appears set to work in bulk relief again Saturday against the Red Sox with Ryan Walker being named the Giants' opening pitcher, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants have had some success throwing openers in front of their starters this season. It didn't work out well for DeSclafani last weekend -- he allowed four runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings against Washington -- but San Francisco will give it another try Saturday. DeSclafani has a 7.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 32.1 innings since the start of June.