MLB Player News

Morton came away with a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

The matinee of the twin bill saw a pitchers' duel between two veteran right-handers, as both Morton and Kyle Gibson recorded one-run quality starts in an eventual 3-2 extra-inning win for Atlanta. Morton's quality start was his eighth of the year, but the 40-year-old isn't racking up the Ks like he used to -- he's fanned five batters or less in four of his last five starts, managing a 3.94 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 29.2 innings during that stretch. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road next week against the Mets.

Gray (10-6) picked up the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader split with Atlanta, giving up five runs on eight hits -- including four home runs -- over seven innings. He struck out 10 without walking a batter.

The Cardinals' offense gave Gray plenty of support in a 9-5 victory, so his issues keeping the ball in the park didn't come back to bite him. The veteran right-hander had served up only four homers over his last 11 outings combined, so the sudden gopheritis likely isn't going to be a long-term concern. Gray will carry a 3.54 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and stellar 131:24 K:BB through 106.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Nationals.

Gibson came away with a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

The veteran right-hander needed exactly 100 pitches (66 strikes) to record his ninth quality start of the season, but Gibson saw his eighth win slip away after he left the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning in a game the Cardinals eventually lost in 10. Gibson hadn't lasted more than five frames in an outing in over a month, so the rest afforded by the All-Star break appears to have done him some good. He'll take a 3.99 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 102:43 K:BB through 108.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Nationals.

Lodolo allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over 6.1 innings in a no-decision against Washington on Saturday.

Lodolo carried a 4-3 lead into the seventh frame before exiting with one out and a runner on first base. That runner came around to score after his departure, costing the left-hander a quality start and a chance at a victory. Despite that outcome, there were plenty of positives in the outing for Lodolo -- this was his first time exceeding 4.2 innings across his past four starts, and he had much better control after walking four batters in two of his previous three appearances. Lodolo holds a 3.51 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 89:25 K:BB over 84.2 innings this season.

Gore allowed three runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two batters over two innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Gore allowed a pair of runs in the first inning and another in the second before giving way to a reliever. He needed 67 pitches to get through the pair of frames, and only 37 of his offerings were strikes. All three of the runners who scored against Gore got aboard by way of a walk, and the southpaw's four free passes tied his second-highest mark this season. This was Gore's shortest start of the campaign and the third straight outing in which he has failed to complete five frames. Over that span, he's given up 12 earned runs over 10 innings.

Peralta allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Saturday.

Peralta posted his third scoreless outing of the season. He's limited opponents to four hits or fewer in five of his last six starts, though this was just his third quality start in that span. The veteran right-hander is now at a 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 138:38 K:BB through 109 innings over 20 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be a favorable home start versus the Marlins.

Hendricks (2-8) allowed three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.

Hendricks served up a solo shot to Alek Thomas and a two-run home run to Corbin Carroll in the fifth inning, and that was all for the scoring Saturday. This was just the second time Hendricks has given up a homer in six starts since he returned to the Cubs' rotation, but both instances have seen him yield two long balls. The right-hander is carrying a 6.69 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 52:24 K:BB through 75.1 innings over 18 appearances (13 starts) this year. He's projected for a road outing at Kansas City in his next appearance.

Gallen (7-5) allowed three hits and six walks while striking out four over five shutout innings, earning the win Saturday over the Cubs.

Gallen was unusually lacking in command and control -- this was the second time in five starts he's walked multiple batters, and it's the first time all year he's walked more batters than he's struck out. The Cubs were unable to punish his wildness, and the Diamondbacks' bullpen went on to yield just one hit over four scoreless innings to preserve a 3-0 lead. Gallen is now at a 3.64 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 80:27 K:BB through 81.2 innings across 16 starts this year. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at home versus the Pirates.

Cease (9-8) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 10 over seven shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Guardians.

In three of his last five starts, Cease has delivered one-hit ball, though this was arguably his most dominant outing of the season. It was also his fourth start of the year with double-digit strikeouts. Cease is now at a 3.76 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 159:37 K:BB through 122 innings over 21 starts. He's projected for a road start versus Washington next week, though that could become a more challenging assignment at Baltimore if the Padres opt to call up a fifth starter for their first time through the rotation after the All-Star break.

The Dodgers will activate Kershaw (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list to start Thursday's game against the Giants, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Earlier Saturday, manager Dave Roberts accidentally stated Kershaw would start Wednesday and Tyler Glasnow (back) would start Thursday, but the Dodgers will instead flip the order in which the two pitchers will make their respective returns from the IL. Kershaw experienced a couple of setbacks in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery that pushed back his 2024 debut, but he checked out fine upon making two minor-league rehab starts this month, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts across seven innings. He got up to 67 pitches in his most recent outing Friday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, so it's expected he'll be on some sort of pitch count Thursday.