MLB Player News

Kelly was hit by a batted ball Friday night that left a contusion on his left pectoral muscle, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The ball left Shohei Ohtani's bat at 108.7 mph and shook up the pitcher. "I'm not going to lie, I was a little shaken up when I got inside," Kelly said. "It's a pretty helpless feeling seeing the ball coming at me and going that fast and not being able to react to it." The right-hander was thankful the liner didn't cause serious damage and took a few extra beats to regain his composure. It happened with two outs in the fifth inning, and Kelly retired the next batter, which was the final out he recorded on the night. Kelly is expected to make his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at San Francisco.

Kelly failed to factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Angels, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five innings.

Kelly was solid outside of the third inning, when he allowed all three of his runs and four of six total baserunners. He's been the definition of mediocre this season, permitting two or three runs in eight of 13 starts and averaging under six innings per turn.

Kershaw (8-5) picked up the win in Friday's 12-1 victory over Texas, pitching six innings and allowing an unearned run on three hits with nine strikeouts and zero walks.

Kershaw flashed his trademark skills in this one with three times as many strikeouts as baserunners for his eighth quality start in 14 turns this season. The only hiccup occurred in the sixth inning when Kershaw allowed an unearned run after a Gavin Lux error extended the inning, but the southpaw was otherwise in total control all game. He's slated to take the mound next Wednesday versus Philadelphia.

Woodruff (5-2) allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings Friday, striking out five without walking a batter and earning a win over the Pirates.

The only damage against Woodruff came from two solo home runs by Ben Gamel and Gregory Polanco. He's now gone 12 consecutive starts allowing two or fewer runs, lowering his season ERA to 1.52 alongside a 97:17 K:BB. The 28-year-old has won three of his last four starts, yielding just four runs in 26 innings during that span. Woodruff is projected to start in Colorado next week.

Morton (5-3) yielded four runs on four hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Marlins.

Morton had allowed just one run through three innings before coughing up RBI base hits to Jon Berti and Jazz Chisholm in the fourth. He threw just 48 of 84 pitches for strikes and snapped his three-game winning streak. The veteran right-hander now owns a 4.50 ERA through 66 innings this season. Morton is projected to face the Cardinals at home next week.

DeSclafani (6-2) tossed a two-hit shutout Friday against the Nationals, striking out eight and walking one en route to the win.

He got some help from his defense, as Mike Tauchman took away a home run from Juan Soto, but DeSclafani was nonetheless fantastic. He needed just 103 pitches to log the complete game shutout. Save for one blowup start against the Dodgers where he gave up 10 earned runs in 2.2 innings, DeSclafani has been excellent all season. This was his second shutout of the year and seventh quality start. He projects to start next week at home against Arizona.

Snell (2-3) gave up three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts across four innings, taking the loss versus the Mets on Friday.

Snell had little trouble through four innings, but he allowed four straight batters to reach in the fifth before Austin Adams relieved him. It was a disappointing setback for Snell, who threw seven shutout innings versus the Mets in his previous start. The southpaw has an uninspiring 4.97 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 84:35 K:BB across 58 innings this year. He's failed to complete five innings in five of his last seven starts. The 28-year-old lines up for a home start versus Cincinnati next week.

Alcantara (4-5) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over Atlanta.

The 25-year-old gave up RBI base hits to Ozzie Albies in the first and third innings but kept Atlanta's offense scoreless for the rest of his outing. Through 14 starts this season, Alcantara owns a 3.39 ERA and an 80:24 K:BB across 85 innings. He's allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of those 14 outings. He's lined up to take the mound in St. Louis next week.

Freeland (0-2) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts in four-plus innings, taking the loss versus Cincinnati on Friday.

Freeland allowed one home run in each of the first five innings -- he was relieved by Yency Almonte after Tyler Stephenson's solo shot led off the fifth inning. Friday was by far the worst of Freeland's four starts this year. The southpaw has struggled to a 9.00 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 9:9 K:BB across 17 innings. A lack of better starting options on the major-league roster keeps Freeland in the rotation. He is projected for an unfavorable home start versus San Diego next week.

Mahle (6-2) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in six innings, earning the win over Colorado on Friday.

The right-hander cruised through five innings before allowing all four runs in the sixth. A wild pitch and a three-run home run by Ryan McMahon accounted for the damage against Mahle. The 26-year-old has given up just six runs in his last 23.1 innings across four starts, all wins. For the year, he's posted a 3.56 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 78:21 K:BB across 68.1 innings. He lines up for a road start versus Milwaukee next week.