MLB Player News

Steele allowed three runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Steele was excellent through five innings, giving up just one run on five hits. However, he served up a leadoff homer to Willy Adames in the sixth, then allowed one more run on three additional hits over the remainder of the frame. Steele was able to finish the sixth to notch the quality start, and a late Chicago comeback ensured that he didn't take the loss. This was just the fourth time in 16 starts this season that the southpaw allowed three or more earned runs, which is a testament to how solid he's been overall. Steele ranks sixth among qualified MLB pitchers with a 2.56 ERA and is tied for ninth with 11 quality starts.

Miller (5-1) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.2 innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 6-4 vicotry over the Pirates.

All four runs against him came on home runs by Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski. The Dodgers then proceeded to score six times over the fourth and fifth innings, allowing Miller to emerge with his second straight win despite not having his sharpest stuff. The right-hander has given up seven runs over 11.1 innings across his last two outings. He's at a 4.50 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB through 44 innings over eight starts. Miller has likely done well enough to stick in the Dodgers' rotation following the All-Star break.

Henry allowed two hits and four walks while striking out two over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mets on Wednesday.

Henry didn't have the sharpest command, but he was able to limit the damage quite well in his third scoreless outing of the campaign. He's rounding into form with just four runs allowed over 24.1 innings across his last four starts. He'll conclude the first half with a 3.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 51:29 K:BB through 74.1 innings across 14 appearances (13 starts), emerging as a solid mid-rotation option for Arizona.

Gray (6-7) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits and four walks over five innings against the Reds. He struck out six.

It was a tough outing for Gray after he'd allowed just one run in his previous two starts (11.1 innings). After Gray allowed a solo homer to Joey Votto in the second inning, the Reds' tacked on another two unearned runs following a Jeimer Candelario error. The 25-year-old Gray, who was named to the All-Star team earlier this week, will carry a 3.41 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 92:47 K:BB into the break.

Senga (7-5) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out 12 over eight innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks.

Senga nearly came up empty in his longest start of the year, but the Mets pulled ahead in the top of the ninth inning. It's the second time he's recorded double-digit strikeouts this season, and the seventh time he's limited an opponent to one run or less. The 30-year-old is at a 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 113:47 K:BB through 89.2 innings on the year.

Ashcraft (4-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out two.

After allowing a run in the first inning, Ashcraft rebounded to blank the Nats over his final five frames en route to his first win since May 28. The 25-year-old Ashcraft has now delivered consecutive quality starts after pitching to a 12.82 ERA in his previous eight outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with an unsightly 6.28 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 61:35 K:BB across 16 starts (81.2 innings)

Cobb (6-2) allowed six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Mariners.

Cobb hasn't walked a batter over his last two starts since returning from an oblique injury. He wasn't giving up much of anything in a 2-0 win, tossing his fifth scoreless outing in 16 starts this season. The veteran right-hander has a 2.91 ERA despite a 1.34 WHIP, and he's added 86 strikeouts over 89.2 innings. Cobb's next start will likely be during a three-game series versus the Pirates following the All-Star break.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Guardians, allowing five hits and three walks over 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander also hit two batters with pitches and tossed a wild pitch as he managed to get only 57 of his 99 offerings over the plate before exiting. While the scoreless outing was encouraging, Soroka put runners in scoring position during every inning he worked, and it was as much good luck as good pitching that saw him escape unscathed. Atlanta's rotation plans after the All-Star break aren't yet clear, but it seems likely Soroka will get at least one more chance in the majors to continue his long recovery from multiple Achilles injuries.

Stone was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He made a two-inning relief appearance for the Dodgers on Tuesday and is now being replaced with a fresh arm. Stone presumably will be re-inserted into Oklahoma City's rotation.

The Pirates optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Ortiz has surrendered 10 runs over eight innings across his last two starts with Pittsburgh, and he'll now return to Triple-A in order to get back on track. If Ortiz is able to put up numbers similar to his 2.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in Triple-A, he could certainly find himself back in the majors relatively quickly. In the meantime, Yohan Ramirez will come up from Indianapolis to fill Ortiz's roster spot, and it's unclear who will fill the empty spot in Pittsburgh's rotation.