MLB Player News

DeGrom (8-2) earned the win Wednesday over the Orioles, allowing one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

DeGrom was nearly untouchable Wednesday -- he held the Orioles hitless through seven innings before Colton Cowser led off the eighth with a single. It's the fifth straight quality start for deGrom, who's gone 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA in that span (32 innings). His ERA is down to a sparkling 2.08 on the season with a 0.91 WHIP and 94:20 K:BB across 16 starts (95.1 innings). DeGrom will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled as a home rematch with Baltimore.

Kikuchi (3-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out 12.

The southpaw looked like he might be in for a rough afternoon when a Scott Kingery error helped lead to a two-run first inning for Boston and forced Kikuchi to burn through 31 pitches, but he locked in after that, giving up just a single the rest of the way. The dozen strikeouts were a season high for Kikuchi, and he remains absolutely dominant at Angel Stadium, delivering a 1.12 ERA through eight home starts this year with a 3-1 record, a 1.10 WHIP and a 51:17 K:BB over 48.1 innings. His next outing, however, is scheduled to come on the road next week in Atlanta, and Kikuchi has labored to a 4.47 ERA and 1.63 WHIP away from Anaheim.

Fitts came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out six.

Making his first major-league start since June 2, Fitts once again had issues keeping the ball in the park, serving up back-to-back solo shots to Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud in the fourth inning before getting the hook after 83 pitches (58 strikes), including 15 swinging strikes. The six Ks were a season high, but the right-hander has now been taken deep seven times in his first 25 MLB innings this season, leading to a 4.68 ERA. Fitts' time in the rotation will likely end when Tanner Houck (elbow) or Hunter Dobbins (elbow) are ready to return, but for now he lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Reds.

Misiorowski (3-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Pirates, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The 23-year-old right-hander has been all but untouchable through his first three big-league starts. Matched up against fellow young ace Paul Skenes, Misiorowski racked up 26 called or swinging strikes on only 76 pitches (50 total strikes) while reaching triple-digit mph on 19 of them. Through his first 16 MLB innings, he sports a 1.13 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB. He'll look to keep dominating in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week against the Mets.

Skenes (4-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings as the Pirates were downed 4-2 by the Brewers. He struck out four.

Matched up for the first time against Milwaukee phenom Jacob Misiorowski, Skenes was the first young ace to flinch, putting the first three batters on base in the second inning en route to a four-run frame for the Brewers. While Skenes didn't take any further damage, he was lifted after 78 pitches (50 strikes) with the Bucs having once again failed to provide him with any offensive support -- they didn't get on the board until the seventh inning. It's the first time since May 1 that the 23-year-old right-hander has been tagged for more than two runs, and Skenes will take a 2.12 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 110:29 K:BB through 106 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Burke (4-7) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings during a 7-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander tied his season high with seven strikeouts, a mark he set last Thursday against the Cardinals. Burke has given up two earned runs or fewer in eight of 10 starts since the beginning of May, posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB over 54 innings during that span. He'll try to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to be a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next week.

Gallen (5-9) took the loss Wednesday as the Diamondbacks fell 7-3 to the White Sox, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

Homers by Andrew Benintendi in the first inning and Lenyn Sosa in the fourth accounted for most of the damage off Gallen. The right-hander has served up nine long balls in his last five starts and been tagged for at least four earned runs in eight of his last nine trips to the mound, a brutal stretch in which he's posted a 6.97 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB in 51.2 innings. Gallen will try to right the ship in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Giants.

McCullers (foot) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander landed on the shelf June 16 due to a right foot sprain, and he was kept off the mound for only about a week. Assuming McCullers can continue ramping up his throwing program back up with no issues, he may not be looking at an extended absence.

Gore (3-8) took the loss Wednesday against the Padres, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Gore was sharp, holding San Diego to a lone second-inning run, though the Nats couldn't generate any support against Nick Pivetta in an eventual 1-0 defeat. It's the third straight loss for Gore, who's failed to strike out more than six batters in any of his last four outings. His ERA stands at 3.09 through 17 starts (99 innings) this season with a 1.20 WHIP, and his 129 strikeouts are still good for the second most in the majors. Gore is currently scheduled to face the Tigers at home in his next outing.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Philadelphia, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out three over seven scoreless innings.

Valdez delivered his first scoreless outing since April 8, blanking the Phillies despite struggling with his control. The 31-year-old lefty has now walked at least four batters and struck out three in two consecutive starts. In his last four starts, Valdez has a 2.16 ERA and a 29:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Cubs on Sunday in his next turn through the rotation.