MLB Player News

Hill did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against Cleveland while striking out one.

Hill cruised through the first three innings before allowing three consecutive singles with one out in the fourth, which led to the first run of the game coming across for Cleveland. The veteran righty again found himself in trouble in the fifth after giving up a leadoff single to Myles Straw to open the frame. He would go on to allow three runs in the inning as the Pirates fell behind 4-2. Hill has allowed at least three runs in each of his last seven starts and now holds a 6.53 ERA in July after maintaining a 3.86 ERA during June. He's also lost four of his last five decisions.

Morton (10-7) took the loss against Arizona on Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings.

Morton had notched a victory in each of his previous five appearances coming into Wednesday, but that streak came to an end again Arizona. The veteran hurler surrendered his most runs since the Mets tagged him for four nearly six weeks ago, though he did manage to keep the ball in the park for the fourth time in his past five outings. Morton's season 1.37 WHIP is in line to be his worst over a full season since 2015, but he's still managed to put together a strong campaign with a 3.36 ERA and 119:46 K:BB over 109.2 frames through 19 starts.

Nelson (6-5) earned the win over Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

Nelson didn't overpower the intimidating Atlanta offense, as he tallied just seven whiffs and five punchouts. However, the right-hander was efficient and effective during his seven frames, throwing 52 of 84 pitches for a strike and issuing just one walk. Two of the three hits against him left the park, but each was a solo shot, allowing Nelson to minimize the damage. He's gone seven or more innings in three of his past five outings, notching a quality start and a win in each of the three lengthy appearances. Nelson's 4.82 ERA on the campaign is far from spectacular, but it's partly the result of a handful of blow-ups, and he's given up two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 20 outings overall.

Stripling (0-3) took the loss against Cincinnati on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Stripling served up a three-run homer to Will Benson in the third inning that accounted for all of the runs against him. Though that was enough for Stripling to be tagged with the loss, this was mostly a positive outing for the veteran hurler. He tallied a season-high innings total -- prior to Wednesday, he hadn't gone more than five frames in any outing -- and worked up to 76 pitches, his most since May 7. Stripling has been eased back into action after missing over a month between late May and late June with a back injury, but he's been mostly effective despite the limitations since his return, posting a 3.72 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB over 19.1 frames covering five appearances.

Ashcraft (5-7) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six-plus innings.

Ashcraft made it through four scoreless frames before the Giants tagged him for a run in the fifth. The right-hander tossed a 1-2-3 sixth but surrendered a solo homer to Blake Sabol leading off the seventh, which led to his removal. Though his outing ended on that sour note, it was another strong performance overall by Ashcraft, as he notched his fourth straight quality start. Over that span, he's recorded a standout 1.82 ERA over 24.2 frames, though his mediocre 14:9 K:BB across the quality-start streak is fair reason to question whether it is sustainable.

Freeland (shoulder) completed a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Freeland has been sidelined since July 9 while dealing with a dislocated shoulder. He's hoping to let the injury heal naturally, and he took his first step back toward a return during an "aggressive" throwing session. The Rockies haven't provided a clear timeline for his return, though the fact that Freeland is throwing an extended bullpen session bodes well for his chances of being ready to go when first eligible to come off the 15-day injured list July 26.

Hendricks allowed a run on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over six innings while taking a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Nationals.

Hendricks turned in a quality start Wednesday after getting tagged for nine runs on 18 hits over 10.1 innings across his previous two outings. While his winless skid reached five starts, he's walked just one batter over that span. The right-hander has a 3.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB through 64 innings over 11 starts this season. Hendricks is tentatively lined up for a road start versus the White Sox next week.

Williams allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout over five innings in a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Williams has allowed nine or more baserunners in five of his last nine starts. He was able to get away with it for the most part Wednesday, though the one strikeout matched his season low. The right-hander is now at a 4.38 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 74:33 K:BB through 98.2 innings over 20 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

Gomber (8-8) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings in a 4-1 loss to the Astros. He struck out five.

The loss snapped a four-start winning streak for Gomber, who hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in that span. The 29-year-old southpaw now sports a 6.18 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP and 68:30 K:BB across 20 starts (102 innings) this season. Gomber will look to get back in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for a road matchup with the Nationals early next week.

Fried (forearm) is slated to pitch five innings in his next rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

If he reaches that goal and all goes smoothly, Fried could return to Atlanta's starting rotation next week in Boston. Sidelined since early May because of a left forearm strain, the 29-year-old southpaw has worked 4.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts through his first two rehab outings.