MLB Player News

Burns took a no-decision against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out eight.

Burns labored a bit Wednesday, needing 104 pitches to complete five innings, but he recorded at least six punchouts for a fourth consecutive start. The hard-throwing right-hander has been incredibly consistent to this point, working at least five frames in all 24 outings while conceding more than two runs just four times. Burns is set to take an outstanding 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 159:48 K:BB over 136 innings into a soft matchup with the lowly Giants.

Alcantara (13-8) took the loss Wednesday against Philadelphia, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out one.

Alcantara was solid overall Wednesday, logging a fifth straight quality start, though the Marlins mustered just one run against Aaron Nola in an eventual 4-1 defeat. Coming into the day, Alcantara had allowed only one run across 27 frames in his previous four outings. His ERA now sits at 3.46 with a 1.18 WHIP and 131:47 K:BB through 27 starts (176.2 innings) this season. Alcantara is currently in line to face the Red Sox at home his next time out.

Freeland was removed from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to an apparent injury, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Freeland gave up four earned runs on six hits and a walk while fanning five batters in 3.2 innings before an injury ended his start abruptly. It's unknown what exactly caused the 33-year-old lefty to come out of the game, but the Rockies should provide more details in the near future.

Nola (5-9) earned the win Wednesday over the Marlins, allowing a run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out eight.

Nola was excellent Wednesday, as he logged eight or more strikeouts for a third straight outing en route to his second consecutive win. Nola has been pitching well of late -- he's posted a 2.51 ERA while striking out 34 across 28.2 innings in his last five starts. He's lowered his ERA to 5.12 across 26 starts (137 innings) this season with a 1.42 WHIP and 146:46 K:BB. Nola's currently lined up to face the Mariners on the road his next time out.

Houser (4-7) earned the win against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings.

Houser entered the game in the third inning and kept the Guardians in check for five frames despite throwing 48 of 80 pitches for strikes with only four whiffs. The 33-year-old has now allowed just one earned run over three straight outings of five or more innings, and he owns a 1.61 ERA in seven second-half appearances (one start). He'll take a 4.08 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 73:34 K:BB across 108 frames this season and should pitch early next week against Cincinnati.

Pfaadt didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing five runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Pfaadt's eight strikeouts marked a new season high, though he was hurt by the home-run ball Wednesday -- the righty gave up solo shots to Nick Sogard and Jarren Duran before Mickey Gasper added a three-run blast in the sixth inning. Prior to Wednesday, Pfaadt had gone four straight outings without allowing an earned run, posting a 0.69 WHIP across 27.2 innings in that span. His ERA now sits at 3.39 across 98.1 innings this season with a 1.14 WHIP and 69:24 K:BB. Pfaadt's currently in line to face the Cubs at home his next time out.

Mendez was reinstated from High-A Eugene's 7-day injured list Tuesday and assigned to Double-A Richmond.

Mendez had resided on the 7-day injured list at Double-A San Antonio in the Padres organization before he was dealt to the Giants on Aug. 3 as part of the deal that sent lefty Robbie Ray to San Francisco. Prior to being traded, Mendez had already made one rehab start with the Padres' High-A affiliate, and he made another 2.1-inning appearance with the Giants' California League affiliate in San Jose last weekend before getting cleared to move up to Double-A. Mendez possesses a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster, but he's not under consideration to make his big-league debut in 2026.

Smith-Shawver didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Making just his second big-league appearance of the season, Smith-Shawver retired the first seven batters he faced before the wheels began to come off in the third inning, as four straight Minnesota hitters reached base before the right-hander coaxed a double play out of Josh Bell to escape the jam. Smith-Shawver wasn't so lucky in the fifth, getting the hook after 75 pitches (49 strikes) following a bases-loaded walk to Bell. Atlanta has indicated the 23-year-old will remain in the rotation for now as part of a six-man unit -- the team is in the middle of a three-week stretch with just one scheduled off day that takes them to Sept. 3 -- but he'll need to perform better to keep his spot. Smith-Shawver is set to make his next trip to the mound at home next week against the Dodgers.

Stock didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

While the 36-year-old right-hander was stingy, he was also inefficient, needing 83 pitches (50 strikes) to record just 13 outs. Stock has failed to complete five frames in three straight starts, walking at least three batters in each outing. Since joining the Mets' rotation at the beginning of August, he's managed a 5.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB over 16.2 innings. With none of the team's top pitching prospects throwing well in the upper minors, however, Stock's spot is likely more secure than those ratios would suggest. He'll try to last long enough to qualify for a win in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Brewers.

King (8-9) took the loss Wednesday as the Padres fell 4-2 to the Mets, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

A two-run home run by Carson Benge in the fourth inning was the only real blemish on King's line for the afternoon, but the right-hander left the mound with the Friars down 2-1 and saw his two-start win streak snapped. King has been on a roll since the beginning of July, producing quality starts in six of his nine outings with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 45:19 K:BB over 52.2 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Pirates.