MLB Player News

Abbott did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Brewers, giving up two runs on five hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out three.

Abbott got off to a bumpy start with two runs allowed during the first inning, but he followed that up with four scoreless frames. The lefty set a season high with five walks and has now issued at least three free passes in three of his past four starts. The walks led to an inefficient showing, as Abbott needed 96 pitches (54 strikes) to record just 15 outs. Following a string of three straight quality starts, he hasn't made it through the sixth inning during any of his past four outings.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on nine hits and a walk across 4.2 innings. He struck out 10.

It was an odd start for Wheeler, as he set a season high with 10 strikeouts but also gave up a season-high 10 hits while failing to make it through five innings for the first time this year. The poor showing also ended a three-start win streak. Overall, the 36-year-old Wheeler is 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 84:20 K:BB across 13 starts (80 innings). He's currently lined up to face the Reds on the road in his next outing.

Skenes (6-8) took the loss Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Five of the runs charged to Skenes came in the second inning, which was capped by Trea Turner's three-run homer. The 24-year-old Skenes has now gone nine straight starts without a win, posting a 5.36 ERA across 47 frames in what's been the first extended rut of his MLB career. Overall, Skenes sports a 3.62 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and 119:22 K:BB across 18 starts (97 innings) this season. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come against Atlanta at home.

Atlanta will skip Elder's turn in the rotation this week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Elder had been lined up to make his next start Friday against the Mets, but Atlanta will give him extra time to rest after he displayed diminished velocity during his last outing Saturday. Grant Holmes will now take the mound to begin Friday's contest. Meanwhile, Elder's next start is likely to come next week in Pittsburgh.

Peralta (5-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out four.

Hard contact was a problem for Peralta, who gave up three extra-base hits (one home run). The 30-year-old right-hander endured another laborious start, needing 91 pitches to complete four innings, and his lack of efficiency has prevented him from working at least six frames in four consecutive appearances. Peralta will carry a disappointing 4.81 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB across 95.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against Atlanta.

McGreevy (3-7) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

McGreevy has now gone nine straight outings without a win despite logging quality starts in five of his last six appearances, posting a 3.34 ERA in that span (35 innings). Overall, the right-hander sports a strong 3.12 ERA this season with a 1.11 WHIP and 60:22 K:BB across 17 starts (95.1 innings). McGreevy is currently slated to face the Brewers at home his next time out.

Wicks allowed one run on five hits across three innings of relief to earn the save in Wednesday's 23-3 win over the Padres. He struck out two.

Wicks certainly had a big enough cushion to work with, and he finished off the rout for his second save in the last four days. The lefty isn't necessarily Chicago's top option for saves, as his last one came after the team had already gone through six pitchers in an extra-inning contest, and Wednesday was simply mop-up duty. Wicks should settle in as a middle-relief option most days, which limits his general fantasy appeal.

Alvarez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two hits and a walk over 4.2 scoreless relief innings in a 10-2 rout of the Red Sox. He struck out six.

Entering the game in the third inning with the Nationals already up 2-0 after Brad Lord recorded the first seven outs as the opener, Alvarez kept the shutout going while tossing 74 pitches (46 strikes) in bulk relief. The 27-year-old southpaw has given up two runs or fewer in six straight trips to the mound since the beginning of June, producing a 2.45 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB across 25.2 innings during that stingy stretch. His next outing is set to come at home early next week against the Astros.

Rea (6-5) earned the win Wednesday against the Padres, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Rea was mostly unfazed by the difficult conditions at sizzling Wrigley Field, and he also got plenty of run support on a day when the Cubs erupted for 23 runs. The 36-year-old right-hander was a bit wild at times, walking three and hitting a pair of batters, but he still worked at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer for a third consecutive outing. Rea will bring a shaky 4.74 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 68:34 K:BB over 89.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Orioles.

Buehler (5-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing nine runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Working under tough conditions at scorching Wrigley Field, Buehler floundered in what was a season-worst outing. The veteran right-hander gave up more than five runs for the first time this year, breaking up a string of five consecutive starts during which he allowed just one run in each outing. Buehler's ERA swelled to 4.61 and his WHIP to 1.38 to go with a 76:30 K:BB over 82 innings, so he'll be looking to erase Wednesday's disaster his next time out versus Arizona.