MLB Player News

Houser (1-4) took the loss against Detroit on Tuesday, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six.

Houser opened with three scoreless frames but was unable to complete five innings for the second time in his last three starts as the Marlins chased him in the fifth. To his credit, the right-hander was able to retire two batters in his final frame but left the bases loaded and was charged with three runs after he departed. Houser began the season with two strong starts but has been mediocre since, allowing 25 earned runs over 30.2 innings. He'll try to turn things around against St. Louis on Monday in his next scheduled start.

Wright (0-4) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against Miami, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four.

Wright went up against rookie stud Sixto Sanchez and was unable to keep pace, tying a season worst by allowing five runs while lasting only four frames. He was victimized by three home runs as Miami went deep once in each of the second, third and fourth innings. The right-hander induced only six swinging strikes in the loss and yielded a season-high seven hits. Wright now owns an unsightly 8.05 ERA and 2.21 WHIP over 19 innings this season. If he gets another turn in the rotation, it is likely to take place Sunday at Washington.

Mahle (1-2) allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out 10 over seven innings in a loss to the Cubs on Tuesday.

The right-hander got 19 called strikes and 22 swinging strikes on 109 pitches en route to his second double-digit strikeout performance in his last three starts. Cincinnati's offense has failed to support its starters this season, Mahle included; he has a losing record despite a 3.89 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 45:13 K:BB and .182 BAA in 37 innings. At least Mahle seems to be solidifying his spot in the rotation, and assuming he sticks on four days' rest, he will next start Sunday in St. Louis.

Sanchez (2-1) earned the win Tuesday by holding Atlanta scoreless over six innings. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six.

The flamethrowing rookie notched his third straight quality start with a dominant performance against one of the league's top run-scoring offenses. After yielding six hits in each of his first three career starts, Sanchez gave up half that many Tuesday, and none went for extra bases. Sanchez had his swing-and-miss arsenal on display in the win, inducing 14 swinging strikes on 89 total pitches. The right-hander has enjoyed a brilliant start to his big-league career, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 25:2 K:BB over his first 25 innings. He'll look to keep impressing when he faces Philadelphia on Sunday in his next scheduled start.

Kim (chest/kidney) was able to throw at Busch Stadium both Monday and Tuesday and will be evaluated by the team's medical staff over the next two days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt relayed Tuesday that Kim continues to feel better after his weekend hospital stay in Chicago. If all continues to go smoothly with his recovery and he receives clearance from the medical staff, Kim may be able to throw a bullpen session before the end of the week. "Every day he gets a little stronger, builds back up and has energy and has ability to take that next step," Shildt said. "[We will] continue to evaluate him and make sure he can progress and everything's in the right spot. But so far so good."

Velasquez didn't factor into the decision during a 5-2 loss to the Red Sox in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, allowing two runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out a season-high nine without walking a batter.

The right-hander was electric in his fourth start of the season, tossing 64 of 90 pitches for strikes and pitching well enough to earn his first win of 2020. Unfortunately for Velasquez, he exited with the score tied 2-2 before the Phillies' bullpen unraveled once again. With the team headed to Miami on Thursday to play seven games in five days against the Marlins, Velasquez should get another start in Sunday's twin bill, but his 5.85 ERA and 1.60 WHIP suggest he'll be a risky fantasy option despite a 29:11 K:BB through 20 innings.

Eflin didn't factor into the decision during a 6-5 win over the Red Sox in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

All three runs scored on solo shots, two of them by Rafael Devers, but Eflin still exited the game in line for his third win of the year before Tommy Hunter coughed up the lead in the sixth inning. Eflin had only served up four long balls in 32.1 innings coming into Tuesday, but his career HR/9 of 1.52 suggested some regression was overdue on that front. The right-hander will take a 4.40 ERA and impressive 48:9 K:BB into his next outing Sunday as part of another twin bill, this one in Miami.

Kelly (shoulder) will undergo surgery Wednesday to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The 31-year-old underwent a procedure in late August to treat a blood clot in his right shoulder, and he'll now undergo surgery to address the nerve issue, which includes the removal of a rib to alleviate pressure in the area. Kelly could start playing catch eight weeks after the surgery, so if all goes well he may be ready for the start of spring training. He remains under team control for the next few years, and the Diamondbacks seem likely to exercise his $4.25 million club option for 2021 after he posted a 2.59 ERA and 0.99 ERA through 31.1 innings this season.

Gomber will start one of the games in Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 26-year-old started during the doubleheader over the weekend and will receive another opportunity Thursday. Gomber covered 2.2 scoreless innings with 55 pitches during that outing, and he figures to have a similar workload versus Detroit.

Musgrove allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five across four scoreless innings Tuesday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Musgrove was in control throughout his start, as he allowed only one extra-base hit. He also racked up nine swinging strikes on 64 total pitches. The only downside to the start was that it appears the Pirates will be careful with his workload after Musgrove missed nearly a month with a triceps injury. In a pair of outings since returning, Musgrove has allowed two earned runs across seven innings while punching out nine and walking none. He'll take his next turn through the rotation Monday at Cincinnati.