MLB Player News

Strasburg (0-1) took the loss Thursday in Miami, allowing seven runs on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five in 4.2 innings.

It was his first major-league start in over a year and one Strasburg would probably like to forget. Five of the eight runs against him came with two outs, including the two-run homer by Jesus Sanchez that ended Strasburg's night in the fifth inning. Nevertheless, the four-time All-Star is back after missing significant time after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. It was just his eighth start since winning the 2019 World Series Most Valuable Player Award and re-signing with Washington on a seven-year, $245 million contract. Assuming he will take his normal turn in the rotation, Strasburg will likely pitch early next week against Atlanta.

Rogers (3-5) earned the win Thursday over Washington, striking out five in five innings while allowing two runs on six hits and a walk.

Rogers held the Nationals scoreless in the first four innings, allowing just three singles. In the fifth, both runs against him scored on Juan Soto's two-out, two-run single. The good outing puts an end to a poor three-start stretch during which Rogers allowed 13 runs across 12.2 innings. His season numbers improved to a 5.58 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, a far cry from the 2.64 ERA and 1.15 WHIP he posted a year ago. His next start will likely come early next week in Philadelphia.

Mahle allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 across six innings Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He did not factor into the decision.

Mahle struck out double-digit batters in a game for the first time this season, which he backed with 16 swinging strikes across 105 total pitches. He turned in his third consecutive quality start and has allowed only four earned runs across his last 18.2 frames in that span. Despite the strong stretch, Mahle still has a 5.07 ERA and 74:30 K:BB over 65.2 innings on the campaign.

Davies allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven across six innings Thursday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.

Davies allowed four hits prior to recording an out, which led to all three of his earned runs coming across during the first inning. However, he retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced to turn in his second consecutive quality start. Davies has also seen an uptick in strikeouts in recent starts, tallying 18 punchouts across his last 19 frames. Overall, he has a 4.21 ERA and a 50:22 K:BB across 62 innings on the season.

Heaney (shoulder) allowed two hits and struck out five across 4.1 scoreless innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

This marked Heaney's second rehab appearance, and he is likely to make one more prior to being activated. He threw 62 pitches and retired the last nine hitters he faced.

Webb (5-2) took the loss Thursday against Colorado, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out three in 5.2 innings.

The first five Rockies batters reached base to begin the fourth inning against Webb, as the defense behind him faltered with three errors, and all three runs against him came across during the frame. The 25-year-old has been competitive but unspectacular through 12 starts this season, amassing a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 59:17 K:BB. He hasn't picked up a victory since May 13, a span of five starts.

Gomber (3-6) earned the victory Thursday in San Francisco, striking out five in six innings while allowing two runs on five hits, a hit batsman and a walk.

Both runs against Gomber came across during the second inning as he allowed four batters to reach safely. He settled down from there and would end up retiring the final eight batters he faced. The lefty needed a good outing following two straight disastrous starts during which he gave up a combined 17 runs. It has been feast or famine for the 28-year-old this season with six quality starts and five disappointing outings. His next start will likely come in the middle of next week against Cleveland.

Eflin allowed a run on four hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out two in four innings during Thursday's 8-3 win at Milwaukee. He did not factor into the decision.

The lone run against Eflin came on Willy Adames' first-inning homer. Throughout the rest of his start, he pitched around trouble and was removed after throwing 96 pitches. It was his shortest start since April 15 and just the second time he's pitched fewer than 5.2 frames in his last eight starts. His next outing will likely come early next week against Miami.

Burnes allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out eight in 4.1 innings during Thursday's 8-3 loss to Philadelphia. He did not factor into the decision.

Burnes struggled all game with his command and had three-ball counts with nine of the 21 batters he faced. All in all, he needed 113 pitches to record only 13 outs. The righty has struggled in June, allowing 17 baserunners and eight runs (six earned) in eight innings across two starts. After only walking five batters in 39 frames in May, he has walked six thus far this month. His next outing will likely be in the middle of next week against the Mets.

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Kershaw (pelvis) could start Saturday against the Giants, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw was initially listed as the projected starter for Sunday's series finale against San Francisco, but Roberts indicated that the southpaw could return a day earlier than expected, which would likely push Julio Urias back to start Sunday. Regardless of whether Kershaw ultimately pitches Saturday or Sunday, the 34-year-old should be back in action this weekend after missing nearly a month.