MLB Player News

Birdsong allowed one hit and four walks while striking out five over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Birdsong was again decent at limiting runs, but he's issued seven walks over his last 8.2 innings. He threw just 39 of his 80 pitches for strikes in Friday's start, which contributed to him missing the five-inning mark for the fourth outing in a row. The rookie right-hander is now at a 4.57 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB through 45.1 innings over 10 big-league starts. Birdsong will have trouble against tougher opponents if he can't get his walk rate in check, though he's had only one truly awful outing so far. He'll have a tough task ahead with his next projected start coming in Milwaukee.

Miller allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over six innings Friday, coming away with a no-decision versus the Rays.

Miller wasn't great last Saturday in St. Louis in his return to the majors, but he was a little better in this one. His nine strikeouts were his most since he fanned 11 in his season debut March 29, and Friday's quality start was his second in nine outings for the Dodgers. Miller is now at a 7.49 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 37:19 K:BB through 39.2 innings. The right-hander is tentatively projected for a home start versus the Orioles next week and will likely stay in the rotation until one of Yoshinobu Yamamoto (triceps) or Tyler Glasnow (elbow) is ready to return. Yamamoto, who is on the 60-day injured list, is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, while Glasnow has yet to resume throwing after landing on the IL on Aug. 16, so Miller certainly has a chance to get a longer look in the majors.

Musgrove (4-4) allowed one hit and struck out nine over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mets on Friday.

Musgrove needed just 75 pitches (58 strikes) to get through seven frames in his best start of the campaign. That was his highest pitch count in three starts since returning from a bone bruise and bone spur in his right elbow. The 31-year-old trimmed his ERA from 4.97 to 4.43 in the process, and he's added a 1.26 WHIP and 60:18 K:BB over 65 innings across 13 starts this season. Musgrove's workload may remain limited in his next projected start, which is expected to come in St. Louis.

Meyer allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Friday.

Meyer looked good, registering his first quality start since April 13. The 25-year-old had struggled since being called up July 27, pitching to an 8.10 ERA and allowing four or more runs in his last four games prior to Friday. Meyer will not be facing an innings restriction the rest of the way and should be given plenty of opportunity to find his footing.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks across 4.2 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

Hendricks has a rough start to the season but has looked somewhat better of late, allowing three runs or fewer in seven of eight starts since the beginning of July with a 4.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 39.2 innings. With Jordan Wicks (oblique) closing in on his return from the IL though, the 34-year-old Hendricks could get bumped from the rotation for a Cubs team that remains on the fringes of the wild-card race in the NL and could begin focusing on the future down the stretch.

Freeland (3-6) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 6.2 innings.

Freeland pitched well but was burned by two homers while the Rockies couldn't muster any offense against Carlos Rodon. The southpaw threw a season-high 106 pitches and worked into the seventh inning for the fifth time in his past 10 starts. On the season, he owns a 5.70 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 62:23 K:BB across 79 innings and lines up to face the Marlins at home next week.

Blackburn was diagnosed with a right hand contusion after getting hit by a comebacker during Friday's game against San Diego.

Blackburn appears to have avoided a significant injury, but he's scheduled to undergo further testing Saturday. Once the results of those tests come back, a clearer picture will emerge regarding his status for his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come Thursday in Arizona. Blackburn has a 5.18 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 24.1 innings since joining the Mets.

Sale yielded two runs on nine hits and a walk over seven innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out four during the extra-inning win against the Nationals.

The only damage against Sale came in the fourth inning on a two-run double by Andres Chaparro. Sale saw his streak of starts with double-digit punchouts end at three, but he did turn in his third straight quality start. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 consecutive starts, posting a 2.25 ERA over that span. Sale owns a 2.62 ERA alongside a 191:33 K:BB through 147.2 innings this season. His next start is projected to come in Minnesota.

Gore allowed a run on seven hits over six innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out four during the extra-inning loss against Atlanta.

Gore gave up a solo homer to Michael Harris on the second pitch he threw but looked strong otherwise. It was the first time since July 1 that Gore gave up fewer than three runs in a start. He also turned in his first quality start since June 14. The southpaw posted a 2.91 ERA through the end of May but has registered a 5.79 ERA since. For the year, Gore is 7-11 with a 4.51 ERA and a 140:54 K:BB through 26 starts. He's currently lined up for a home tilt against the Yankees next week.

Nelson (9-6) got the win over the Red Sox on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over six innings.

Nelson was impressive once again, picking up his third consecutive quality start. He has looked great since the beginning of July, pitching to a 2.76 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP over his last 10 outings. The 26-year-old has struck out at least five batters eight times and has six quality starts without a loss in that span. He's next scheduled for a home start against the Mets.