MLB Player News

Flaherty (10-7) struck out 10 and tossed eight shutout innings while allowing five hits and a walk to earn a victory against the Pirates on Sunday.

After throwing 112 pitches, he didn't quite have enough in the tank to throw the complete game, but Flaherty tossed eight sensational frames in the victory. He's been one of the hottest starting pitchers in the league lately, as he has thrown 18 straight scoreless innings and is 6-1 with a 0.50 ERA in his last eight outings. Overall, Flaherty, who will look to extend that hot streak at home against the Brewers on Saturday, owns a 2.99 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 196 strikeouts in 168.1 innings this season.

Soroka (11-4) gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven in six innings Sunday against the Nationals. He took the loss.

Prior to September, Soroka had not allowed more than one home run in an outing in 24 starts. However, he gave up two home runs in his first start of the month and a career-worst three long balls in this outing. On the flip side, he has also upped his strikeout rate over these last two starts (13 strikeouts in 11 innings), so it hasn't all been bad. He will face this same Nationals team again Friday in Washington.

Alcantara (5-12) tossed a 102-pitch shutout Sunday against the Royals, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight.

He has a 2.77 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in seven starts (48.2 innings) since the calendar turned to August, but this was the first of those starts where he emerged victorious. While Alcantara's season ERA still sits north of 4.00 (4.04), he only turned 24 years old Saturday, and this recent run is an encouraging sign for his long-term prospects. He starts Friday in San Francisco, so there's no reason he can't continue to be a fantasy asset next week.

DeSclafani gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out three in six innings Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He did not factor in the decision.

DeSclafani left the game on the hook for the loss, but Cincinnati's bats came through over the final three innings and the Reds won 4-3. His next start comes Saturday against this same Diamondbacks lineup, only this time it will be a road game in Arizona.

Lauer allowed a run on four hits and two walks over six frames Sunday, striking out four in the win over the Rockies. He did not factor in the decision.

Drew Butera's third-inning sacrifice fly was the lone run to score on Lauer, lowering his ERA to 4.41 over 136.2 innings this season. While he didn't earn the win, the 24-year-old hasn't taken a loss since July 25. Lauer will face Colorado again -- this time at Coors Field -- on Friday.

Maeda (9-8) earned the win against San Francisco on Sunday, tossing four shutout innings and allowing one hit while striking out six.

Maeda took over for Julio Urias in the third inning and spun four innings of nearly hitless baseball, limiting the Giants to a sixth-inning single. The outing was Maeda's second since he was transitioned to the bullpen, and his usage in the two games -- eight total innings and 107 pitches -- suggests that the Dodgers are setting him up to function as a bulk reliever on a starter's schedule. This idea was echoed in a postgame interview aired on SportsNet LA with manager Dave Roberts, who indicated that Maeda would not pitch in the upcoming series against Baltimore in order to be ready for the following series against the Mets.

Houser allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over four innings Sunday, striking out six batters in the win over the Cubs. He did not factor in the decision.

Houser gave up all three runs during an ugly third inning. The 26-year-old had allowed exactly one earned run in each of his previous five outings and his ERA now sits at 3.59. Houser will take the mound in St. Louis on Friday.

Urias is moving back to the bullpen for now, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

He logged two scoreless innings Sunday against the Giants, giving up three hits while striking out four. However, he needed 43 pitches (29 strikes) to get through those two frames, and that lack of efficiency may be the reason the Dodgers would prefer to use him as a reliever. While he will be available as a reliever in the upcoming series in Baltimore, qhe could open for Kenta Maeda again next weekend against the Mets. Either way, it seems the Dodgers will continue to groom Urias for a 2-to-3-inning role for the postseason.

Velasquez gave up four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five through 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Sunday.

After Velasquez gave up three runs off two home runs in the first inning, he settled down but could just not get the walks under control. Velasquez continued his string of short starts, not making it more than six innings in any of his last six appearances. The 27-year-old has a 4.95 ERA with 113 strikeouts through 20 starts this season.

Syndergaard gave up four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five through five innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Sunday.

Syndergaard delivered three scoreless innings before allowing runs in each of his final three frames. Syndergaard was pulled after only 78 pitches, giving him only the second start in his last 10 where he didn't pitch at least six innings. The right-hander has a 4.06 ERA with 176 strikeouts through 28 starts this season. Syndergaard is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Dodgers at Citi Field.