MLB Player News

Verlander (2-3) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings as the Mets fell 3-0 to the Blue Jays. He struck out eight.

The 40-year-old righty was dominant after serving up a leadoff homer to George Springer, but the New York offense couldn't get anything going against Chris Bassitt and the Toronto bullpen. Verlander generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 117 pitches as he delivered his third quality start in six outings since making his belated season debut. While he has been tagged for six runs in two of those trips to the mound, it should be noted that one of them came in Coors Field, while the other came against the league-leading Rays. Verlander will take a 4.25 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through 36 innings into his next start, which is likely to come next week in Atlanta.

Cabrera (4-4) earned the win Friday, allowing four hits and one walk across six scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over the Athletics. He struck out 10.

Cabrera took advantage of a favorable matchup and recorded double-digit strikeouts for the second time this year while posting his first scoreless outing. The right-hander's 4.50 ERA and 1.43 WHIP aren't enticing, but he's struck out 76 batters over his first 58 innings, giving him a stellar 11.8 K/9 (fifth best in MLB). Cabrera will look to build off his strong start next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a three-game set versus Kansas City.

Williamson did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 5-4 loss against the Brewers. He struck out six.

Williamson notched his first career quality start and tied his season high with six strikeouts. The left-hander was called up in mid-May and has been a hit-or-miss player through his first four starts at the big-league level. He allowed eight runs (seven earned) while recording more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six) over his past two starts, but he held the Rockies to just one run over 5.2 innings at Coors Field in his MLB debut and was sharp versus Milwaukee on Friday. Williamson's next start is tentatively slated to come against the Dodgers, and barring an injury, he figures to remain in the rotation until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is activated off the injured list.

Contreras didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 win over the Cardinals, coughing up five runs on seven hits over four innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

All the damage off Contreras came in the third inning, as he served up homers to Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado, but he was sharp in the other three frames and exited having generated 28 called or swinging strikes among his 83 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander has been having trouble keeping the ball in the park since the beginning of May, getting tagged for seven homers in 28.1 innings over his last six starts to fuel a 6.04 ERA during that stretch. Despite the upside he'll tease on occasion, Contreras remains a risky fantasy option heading into his next outing, likely to come at home next week against the A's.

Burnes did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks across six innings in a 5-4 victory over Cincinnati. He struck out seven.

Burnes' night was likely done anyways, but he was tossed after the final out of the sixth for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. The right-hander needed 100 pitches (59 strikes) to get through six frames and recorded a season-high four walks, which likely played into his frustration with the strike zone. After allowing 10 runs over his first two starts, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner has posted a 2.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB over his past 10 appearances (60.1 innings). Burnes will look to make it three straight quality starts next time out, which is tentatively scheduled during a three-game set versus Baltimore.

Flaherty didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Pirates, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander continues to turn his season around. Flaherty gave up one run or less for the third time in his last four starts, exiting the game in line for his fourth win after 101 pitches (61 strikes), but the Cardinals' bullpen fell apart. Over his last five outings, Flaherty has a 2.48 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB through 29 innings, He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come on the road next week against the Rangers.

Wacha (5-2) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings against the Cubs. He struck out eight.

For the first time since April 20, Wacha didn't complete five innings, as he struggled with command, walking a season-high five batters. The eight strikeouts provided some relief, but he ended up taking his second loss of the season. Wacha has been all over the place this season, posting a 0.84 ERA in May following his 6.75 ERA in April.

Kershaw (7-4) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over seven innings against the Yankees. He struck out nine.

Kershaw bounced back in his first start in June after a rough May. The lefty allowed eight earned runs over 8.2 innings in his previous two starts combined, as he had a 5.55 ERA in May. He cruised through the Yankees' order, tying a season-high nine strikeouts. Kershaw's K/9 sits at 10.90, the second-highest mark of his career. He has been dominant at home, with a 1.45 ERA, but Kershaw has struggled away from Los Angeles, posting a 4.70 ERA in road games. He is projected to make his next start on the road against the Reds.

Webb (4-6) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over seven innings against Baltimore. He struck out six.

Webb allowed eight home runs in his first 45 innings in 2023. Heading into Friday, he had eliminated the long ball in his previous four starts. Gunnar Henderson's seventh-inning blast snapped Webb's 33-inning stretch without allowing a homer. After winning 15 games and posting a 2.90 ERA in 2022, Webb has actually been better this season. His ERA, WHIP, K/9 and BB/9 are all better in 2023, as the 26-year-old remains a stud at the top of the Giants' rotation.

Morton (5-6) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out nine over seven innings to take the loss Friday versus Arizona.

Morton pitched fairly well, but three of the six hits he allowed were doubles, and two of them accounted for all of Arizona's run production. This was Morton's third straight loss, though he's limited opponents to three runs or less in nine of his 11 starts. The 39-year-old is at a 3.62 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 72:26 K:BB through 64.2 innings on the season. Morton will look to break his skid in a home start versus the Mets next week.