MLB Player News

Vasquez allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Saturday.

As usual, Vasquez was far from overpowering, notching just six whiffs and two punchouts. He was clinging to a 2-1 lead entering the fifth and retired the first two batters he faced, but manager Mike Shildt then decided to pull him in favor of Adrian Morejon, ending Vasquez's shot at a victory. It was the third straight start in which the right-hander has been yanked having completed fewer than five frames, though he hasn't given up more than two runs in any of those outings. That strategy has hampered Vasquez from getting into the win column, and he's now finished with a no-decision in 11 consecutive starts.

Kershaw (4-2) took the loss against Boston on Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 4.2 innings.

Kershaw's stuff isn't what it used to be, but he's mostly been able to remain effective this season, as he entered Saturday with a 3.27 ERA. However, the southpaw's lack of a put-away pitch hurt him against the Red Sox, especially in the second inning -- in that frame, he got to an 0-2 or 1-2 count to each of the first three batters he faced, but all three reached base against him as Boston scored three times. Kershaw tallied just two strikeouts overall, marking his fourth straight start with three or fewer punchouts, and his 5.9 K/9 is on pace to be the lowest of his career by a wide margin. That said, Kershaw still sits at a respectable 3.62 ERA on the campaign. He's lined up to face the Rays on the road his next time out.

Snell (shoulder) tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, allowing four walks and giving up zero hits while striking out seven batters.

Snell was a bit wild in the outing, as he threw just 40 of 76 pitches for strikes while issuing four free passes. However, he was otherwise dominant, racking up seven punchouts without yielding a hit. Given that he was able to ramp up his pitch count within the range of a light starter's workload, it seems likely that Snell's next outing will come in the majors. If that's the case, his return to the Dodgers' rotation could come next weekend against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Quintana (7-4) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Four of the five runs Quintana allowed came via the long ball, and he managed just three whiffs while throwing 58 of 99 pitches for strikes. Still, the veteran southpaw has now held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 10 of his 15 starts this season. He'll take a 3.50 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55:33 K:BB across 82.1 innings into a road matchup with the Nationals next weekend.

Brown will start Sunday's game versus the White Sox at Rate Field, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown returned from a nearly month-long stint in the minors July 21 and gave up seven runs (six earned) over four innings in long relief one day later against Kansas City. Despite that rough outing, the Cubs are giving the right-hander another opportunity to start, though it may not be a permanent move back into the rotation since Jameson Taillon (calf) is on track to return from the injured list in the first half of August. Brown has posted an impressive 10.3 K/9 across 83.1 innings spanning 17 appearances (14 starts) on the campaign, but the rest of his numbers have been mostly poor, including a 6.48 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 4-7 record.

Junk (5-2) earned the win against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Junk allowed four doubles but just five hard-hit balls overall while generating an impressive 14 whiffs on 86 pitches. The 29-year-old has now surrendered seven earned runs in his past two starts after giving up just two through his first three July outings, though he'll still finish the month with a 2.79 ERA over 29 innings. He'll carry a 3.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:5 K:BB across 60.1 frames into a home matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Holmes is expected to be placed on the injured list due to right elbow tightness Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Holmes threw 81 pitches over four innings in a start against Texas on Saturday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts. After the game, manager Brian Snitker said the right-hander dealt with elbow tightness during the outing and will be placed on the injured list to get checked out. Holmes' injury is another in what has been a devastating season for the team's rotation -- Chris Sale (ribs), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) and AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) are all also currently on the IL.

Senzatela (4-14) took the loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over four innings.

Senzatela allowed five of his six runs via the long ball and gave up eight hard-hit balls while generating just five whiffs on 77 pitches. It marked the sixth time in 21 starts the 30-year-old has surrendered multiple homers, and he's now allowed six or more earned runs on five occasions. He'll carry a 6.68 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 55:36 K:BB across 102.1 innings into a home matchup with the Pirates next weekend.

Heaney (5-9) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing two hits and no walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Heaney threw 47 of 71 pitches for strikes, generating 10 whiffs and limiting the Diamondbacks to just three hard-hit balls. It was a much-needed effort for the 34-year-old, who had allowed 14 earned runs over nine innings in his previous three starts. He'll take a 4.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78:35 K:BB across 107 innings into a road matchup with the Rockies next weekend.

Horton (4-3) earned the win against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three across 6.1 scoreless innings.

It was another strong start for Horton, who limited the White Sox to just five baserunners while tossing 84 pitches (56 strikes). The 2022 first-round pick has yielded zero runs in three of his last four starts, which now has him at a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 68.2 innings this season. It was Horton's first win since June 3 against the Nationals, and he'll look to make it two in a row in his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Orioles.