MLB Player News

Eflin didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings while striking out six.

The right-hander has pitched well since rejoining the rotation following a brief demotion to the bullpen, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over four starts (21.2 innings), and Friday's six whiffs were Eflin's highest total in a game since June 19. He'll try to keep his momentum going in his next outing Wednesday, at home against Atlanta.

Kershaw (13-5) was charged with the loss Friday against the Giants after lasting four innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six.

After escaping a first-inning bases-loaded jam by firing back-to-back strikeouts, Kershaw held the Giants scoreless until he gave up a solo home run to rookie Mauricio Dubon in the fourth. The southpaw returned in the fifth frame, allowing a single and a walk before getting pulled after his 99th pitch. Unfortunately, both his runners would score after he left the game. Kershaw has now surrendered nine home runs over his last four outings and has gone at least six innings in all but his last two starts. He now owns a 3.06 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 171:36 K:BB and will look to bounce back against the Mets.

Melville (2-1) picked up the win against the Padres on Friday, striking out eight while allowing two runs on five hits and a pair of walks across 5.2 innings.

The right-hander held the Padres scoreless until the third inning, when he gave up a two-run single to Eric Hosmer. That would be the only damage of the night for the Padres as Melville punched out a career-high eight batters to pick up his second win of the year. The 29-year-old, who was called up August 21 to replace Jon Gray (foot), now owns a 3.66 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across four appearances. He'll take the hill next Thursday against the Cardinals.

Mikolas allowed one run on three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts across five innings during a no-decision against the Pirates on Friday.

Three free passes would have been enough for a season high, but Mikolas walked four Friday. Still, he struck out at least seven and yielded only one run for the second time in three starts. He owns a 2.65 ERA in his last three outings since struggling mightily in the middle of August. Mikolas is 8-13 with a 4.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 131 strikeouts in 165.1 innings this season. He will make his next start at the Rockies on Wednesday.

Mahle (2-11) took the loss Friday against the Diamondbacks, giving up five runs in 4.1 innings. He struck out three batters while walking two and allowing six hits.

Mahle pitched well through four innings, allowing just one run on a Nick Ahmed solo shot. Everything fell apart with one out in the fifth, though, as he was pulled after allowing two singles, a homer and a double. In four starts in the second half on either side of a hamstring injury, Mahle has now given up 21 runs (16 earned) in 20.1 innings.

Ray (finger) is not expected to miss his next start, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Ray felt a hot spot develop on his finger, though the Diamondbacks were able to remove him from the game before a blister could form. He's expected to pitch again Wednesday against the Mets.

Lopez (5-8) was saddled with the loss Friday against the Royals despite allowing just two runs in 6.1 innings, striking out six and walking none while giving up eight hits.

Lopez was generally able to stay out of trouble despite a fairly high hit total, with three double plays keeping the damage down. He allowed one run on a Whit Merrifield single in the third and another on Ryan O'Hearn double in the seventh but was able to keep his team within striking distance. The start was a nice rebound after he'd allowed 10 runs in eight innings over his previous two appearances.

Ray left Friday's game against the Reds with a blister on his left middle finger.

Ray struck out eight while allowing two runs in 4.1 innings prior to leaving with team trainers. It's not yet clear whether he's expected to miss his next start, which would line up to be Wednesday against the Mets.

Ray left his start Friday against the Reds with an undisclosed injury, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Trainers came to check on Ray before he left with one out in the fifth inning. They appeared to be checking on his left hand, presumably for a blister or nail issue. The details of the injury should be available following the game if not sooner. He left too early to record a win but recorded a decent overall line, allowing two runs on three hits in 4.1 innings while striking out eight and walking three.

Buehler will start Tuesday in Baltimore, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Buehler had been bumped from his start Sunday against San Francisco earlier in the day. The latest reports confirm that the change was for purely workload-management reasons rather than any undisclosed injury concerns. He's expected to make three more starts before the playoffs.