MLB Player News

Littell didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits over four innings of relief. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander put together one of his better outings of the season, tossing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes after taking over in the fourth inning from opener Carson Palmquist, but the Nationals' bullpen cost Littell his eighth win of the season with another meltdown in the ninth. He's given up two runs of fewer in four straight starts, heading into the All-Star break with a 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB through 19 innings over that stretch.

Weathers didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on six hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The southpaw put together another stingy outing, tossing 61 of 91 pitches for strikes and getting tagged for two runs or fewer for the fourth time in his last five starts, but the Yankees' bullpen cost Weathers his fourth win of the year. Over that five-start stretch, he's produced a 3.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB through 23.1 innings, and with both Max Fried (elbow) and Carlos Rodon (elbow) on the shelf until late July or later, Weathers' spot in the rotation should be secure for at least a couple weeks coming out of the All-Star break.

Nola didn't factor into the decision Friday, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings as the Phillies fell 10-2 to the Tigers. He struck out eight.

The veteran right-hander was lifted after 84 pitches (50 strikes) with the score tied 2-2, falling short of his sixth quality start of the season, only to see his bullpen implode. Nola has struggled to put together a consistent stretch of success this season, but he's lasted at least five innings and allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five outings, posting a 5.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB over 26.1 innings during that span.

Flaherty (3-8) allowed two runs on two hits across six innings of work to earn the win in Friday's 10-2 victory over the Phillies. He walked three and struck out six.

Facing a tough Philadelphia lineup, Flaherty managed to pick up his second straight win with the Tigers backing him with plenty of offense. The righty is on a good run across his last three starts, as he's allowed just the two earned runs in 16.2 innings while striking out 20. Flaherty has consistently done a good job of missing bats, but his overall results don't always match up. The veteran starter carries plenty of momentum into the All-Star break, and he'll look to keep things rolling in the second half.

The Brewers recalled Gasser from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Gasser was sent down after making his last start during Tuesday's doubleheader, and he'll now return to the active roster Saturday to replace the injured Kyle Harrison (forearm). Gasser could be available to work in long relief during the Brewers' final three games before the All-Star break, before moving to the rotation to start in place of Harrison to begin the second half.

The Brewers placed Harrison on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Thursday, with left forearm tightness, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Harrison made an early exit from his last start due to an injury, and although he said after the game that he wasn't too concerned about it, the Brewers will move him to the injured list anyway. Robert Gasser will come up from the minors to fill the open roster spot and figures to claim Harrison's place in the rotation until further notice.

Fedde is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Bryan Hudson in Saturday's game against the Athletics, Brooke Fletcher of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Fedde remains part of Chicago's rotation, but he's been used as a traditional starter just once in his last six outings. Hudson is expected to cover an inning or two before turning the game over to Fedde, who owns a 4.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 29:17 K:BB in 40.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.

Leahy didn't factor into the decision Friday against Atlanta after allowing one hit over three scoreless innings. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Leahy was hardly dominant as he tallied just one swinging strike on 44 pitches, but he kept Atlanta off the board by inducing five groundouts before a long rain delay ended his evening. The 30-year-old saw his two-start win streak come to an end Friday thanks to the rain, but he continued his strong run of form with just one run allowed in his past four starts. Leahy will head into the All-Star break with a 3.73 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 75:33 K:BB through 89.1 innings -- already the largest workload of his big-league career after he operated as a reliever the past few years.

Sale didn't factor in the decision Friday against the Cardinals after striking out five and giving up two hits and a walk across three scoreless innings.

The left-hander generated nine whiffs on just 43 pitches (30 strikes) through three frames, but a lengthy rain delay guaranteed an early departure from his final start before the All-Star break. The shortened showing ends a streak of 13 straight outings of at least five innings for Sale, who hasn't surrendered more than three runs in an appearance since April 6 in Anaheim. The 37-year-old closes out the first half of the season with a 2.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 117:25 K:BB across 98 innings.

Ray allowed one run on four hits and six walks while striking out four over five-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Friday.

Even by his standards, this was a poor showing in the command department for Ray, who threw just 53 of 100 pitches for strikes. It snapped his four-game winning streak, but he still hasn't allowed more than three runs in each of his last five outings. For the season, Ray is at a 3.38 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 90:52 K:BB through 106.2 innings over 19 games (18 starts). He's done well with run prevention this season considering his 4.4 BB/9 is second-worst in the majors, better than only Joey Cantillo.