MLB Player News
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Randy Vasquez RP | SD
Padres' Randy Vasquez: Takes loss in bulk-relief outing
Vasquez (3-6) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Friday.
Vasquez worked behind an opener in this tough matchup. It mostly worked well, aside from the Dodgers collecting a pair of runs in the third inning, which was enough to stick the right-hander with the loss. Vasquez had started his first 22 appearances of the year with middling results. He's now at a 3.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 59:49 K:BB over 111.1 innings. Michael King (knee) is back on the injured list, so it's likely Vasquez will get another turn or two through the rotation, though it remains to be seen if those outings will be as a traditional starter or as a bulk reliever. He's tentatively lined up for a home appearance versus the Giants next week.
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Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Continues strong stretch in win
Kershaw (7-2) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings to earn the win Friday over the Padres.
The Dodgers' use of a six-man rotation -- and the extra rest that comes with it -- appears to be benefiting Kershaw. The southpaw has allowed just two runs over his last 18 innings while winning three starts in a row. For the season, he's now at a 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 49:20 K:BB across 77.2 innings through 15 starts. Kershaw's next outing is projected to be at Colorado.
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Brandon Pfaadt SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Strikes out four in eighth loss
Pfaadt (12-8) took the loss Friday against Colorado, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.
The 26-year-old right-hander pitched at least six innings for the first time since his July 18 appearance versus St. Louis, which was simultaneously his most recent quality start. Pfaadt has just eight quality starts among 25 outings in 2025, but he was able to match a season high in pitches (100) Friday. He has a shaky 5.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 108:30 K:BB across 133 frames, and Pfaadt will likely remain a risky fantasy option his next time out versus the Guardians at home.
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Paul Blackburn SP | NYY
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Departing 40-man
The Mets are expected to designate Blackburn for assignment Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Blackburn has registered a 6.85 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 23.2 innings with the Mets this season. He's now set to lose his place on the active roster and 40-man roster in order to make room for Nolan McLean, who will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Saturday against the Mariners. It's difficult to envision another team assuming the money remaining on Blackburn's $4.05 million deal for 2025, so he'll most likely go unclaimed off waivers.
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Tanner Gordon P | COL
Rockies' Tanner Gordon: Decent in third win
Gordon (3-5) notched the win Friday against Arizona, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out two.
Gordon entered the day having been dismantled for 23 earned runs over his prior three starts, so Friday's display was a step in the right direction. The right-hander attacked the zone for 54 strikes among his 78 pitches, although he's still reached the 90-pitch marker just once out of eight outings on the year. Gordon has a hideous 7.98 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 38.1 frames, and he should likely be avoided at home next week against the division-rival Dodgers in most situations from a fantasy perspective.
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Nick Martinez RP | TB
Reds' Nick Martinez: Hit hard in no-decision
Martinez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Brewers, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and no walks with one strikeout over 2.2 innings.
Martinez was spotted an early 8-1 lead before giving up five runs in the third inning. He generated just two whiffs on 61 pitches and allowed four extra-base hits, including two homers. It ended a streak of six straight outings with two earned runs or fewer for the 35-year-old, who now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 98:33 K:BB across 139 innings (24 starts) this season. With Chase Burns (elbow) hitting the injured list Friday, Martinez should remain in the rotation, lining up for a road matchup with the Angels next week.
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Jacob Misiorowski SP | MIL
Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski: Records just four outs in return
Misiorowski did not factor into the decision in Friday's 10-8 win over the Reds, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 1.1 innings.
Misiorowski clearly lacked command, throwing just 28 of 54 pitches for strikes and leaving the game with the bases loaded and one out in the second inning. The rookie All-Star's velocity was right in line with his season averages after missing two starts with a tibia contusion, suggesting rust more than anything else as the reason for his struggles Friday. He owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 50:17 K:BB across 34.2 innings and will look to rebound in a road matchup with the Cubs next week.
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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Strong again in no-decision
Gore did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Phillies, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over six innings.
Gore overcame a 37-pitch first inning to notch his second straight quality start, throwing 57 of 91 pitches for strikes while generating 12 whiffs. The southpaw has been inconsistent since the All-Star break, allowing two earned runs or fewer in three of six outings but getting tagged for 22 runs in the other three. He'll carry a 4.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 165:49 K:BB across 138 innings into a home matchup with the Mets next week.
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Zack Wheeler SP | PHI
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Labors in no-decision
Wheeler did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings.
Wheeler needed 97 pitches to complete five innings, marking the first time this season he's failed to work beyond the fifth frame in consecutive starts. The 35-year-old still appears to be shaking off some rust after battling shoulder stiffness, with his velocity down slightly across the board. He owns a 2.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a major-league-leading 195 strikeouts across 149.2 innings and lines up for a home rematch with the Nationals next weekend.
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Keaton Winn SP | SF
Giants' Keaton Winn: Returns to majors
The Giants recalled Winn from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
With Ryan Walker set to miss the Giants' next few games while on paternity leave, Winn will return to San Francisco to replenish the big club's bullpen depth. Winn has struggled in Triple-A this year, turning in a 9.31 ERA and 1.88 WHIP through 19.1 innings, so he'll likely be reserved for low-leverage situations while with the Giants.