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Tatsuya Imai SP | HOU
Astros' Tatsuya Imai: Chased out in first inning Monday
Imai did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on a hit and four walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Angels. He struck out one.
Imai couldn't find the strike zone, throwing just 12 of 33 pitches for strikes and recording only two outs before being lifted in favor of AJ Blubaugh. A late-game rally by the Astros offense kept Imai from taking the loss, but it was still a disastrous outing for the 28-year-old. Control issues have consistently plagued the right-hander, as Monday marked the third time this season he's failed to complete a full inning in a start. Imai's first MLB season has featured a few bright spots but has mostly been a struggle, as he's posted a 5.83 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 72:40 K:BB across 58.2 innings (15 starts). His next start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Rangers.
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Noah Schultz SP | CHW
White Sox's Noah Schultz: Can't take advantage of early lead
Schultz allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 3.1 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Monday.
Chicago stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and Schultz kept New York out of the scoring column for three frames. However, things unraveled for the lefty in the fourth inning, when he allowed the first three batters to reach base (on two walks and a single) before giving up a run-scoring groundout. Schultz was pulled after that, and two more runs were charged to his ledger after he departed. He threw 72 pitches in the short outing, and Schultz has completed less than four frames in each of his two starts since the All-Star break. The rookie now carries a 6.15 ERA on the campaign, and though a continued spot in the rotation isn't guaranteed, he's lined up to make his next start on the road in a pivotal AL East matchup against the Rays.
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Max Fried SP | NYY
Yankees' Max Fried: Labors through three innings
Fried allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over three innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Monday.
Fried remained on a limited pitch count in his second game back from an over-two-month injury absence, so his 32-pitch first inning was far from ideal. The left-hander gave up all three of the runs he allowed in that first frame, though he allowed at least one baserunner in each of the other two innings in which he appeared. Fortunately for Fried, New York's offense got going after his departure to take him off the hook for a loss. Overall, Fried threw 66 pitches -- nine more than the amount he hurled in his return to action last Wednesday -- and he'll likely to continue to build up over his next couple starts until he's fully ramped back up. He's lined up to make his next appearance at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.
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Martin Perez SP | ATL
Braves' Martin Perez: Completes five frames Monday
Perez allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Monday.
Perez was tormented by Francisco Lindor, who accounted for all of the scoring against him with an RBI triple and a two-run homer. The veteran lefty gave up plenty of traffic beyond those two hits but otherwise kept Atlanta in the hunt until the Mets exploded for 11 runs after his departure. Perez worked up to 87 pitches in his five frames, up from the 75 pitches and four innings he logged last Wednesday in his first start back from a stint on the 15-day IL due to a forearm injury. He seems to be fully recovered from that issue and is scheduled to make his next start at home versus Washington.
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Zach Thornton SP | NYM
Mets' Zac Thornton: Gets plenty of support in victory
Thornton (2-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.
Thornton struggled a bit out of the gate, allowing three first-inning singles, but a double play helped him escape with just one run on his ledger. The Mets' offense responded with a run in the bottom of that frame and went on to score 14 times, aiding the rookie righty in his second straight victory. Thornton continues to thrive despite not missing a ton of bats -- he had a modest nine whiffs and five punchouts, and he's compiled just 22 strikeouts across 29.2 innings on the campaign. That dents his fantasy appeal a bit, but Thornton has still been a really nice find so far, as he's recorded a 2.43 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through five MLB starts.
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Zack Wheeler SP | PHI
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Rare hiccup in no-decision
Wheeler took a no-decision Monday against the Marlins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out six.
It was easily the shortest outing of the year for Wheeler, who also turned in his shortest start since 2022. Not only was it also the first time he gave up at least five runs since May of last season, it was somewhat concerning to see the star right-hander's four-seam fastball average only 93.5 mph after it averaged 95.1 mph for the campaign entering Monday. Wheeler still has a fine 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB over 103 innings, and he'll be looking to flush Monday's dud his next time out in Baltimore.
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Mitch Keller SP | PIT
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Yields two runs in no-decision
Keller did not factor into Monday's decision against Arizona, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings.
Keller kept pace with Merrill Kelly in Monday's pitching duel before the former gave up the first runs of the game in the sixth on a Max Kepler double, though Keller came away with the no-decision after his Pirates teammates forced extra-innings. He's given up two earned runs or less in back-to-back starts and sports a 4.83 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB over 113.2 innings this season. Keller is lined up to face the Reds on the road this weekend.
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Max Scherzer SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Max Scherzer: Labors in return
Scherzer took a no-decision Monday against the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out four.
Making his return from a lengthy absence with back spasms and a thumb injury, Scherzer struggled to find his control Monday and also lacked efficiency. He threw 75 pitches (44 strikes) and still couldn't make it through three frames against one of his former teams, and Scherzer has now walked three batters in three consecutive starts while failing to work into the fifth inning in each. The 42-year-old right-hander appears to be on his last legs amidst an injury-plagued 2026 campaign, dragging a 9.49 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB over 24.2 frames into his next scheduled appearance at home against the Cardinals.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Fans six in no-decision
Kelly did not factor into Monday's decision against the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six across 5.2 innings.
The only run Kelly allowed Monday was unearned, though it was his doing on a pickoff error to first, leading to Jake Mangum scoring on a Brandon Lowe single. It was the first time in 19 starts this season that Kelly did not yield an earned run, and his six punchouts tied a season high that he set three times prior to Monday's game. He'll take a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 109.1 innings into his next start, which is slated for this weekend on the road against the Guardians.
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Kyle Bradish SP | BAL
Orioles' Kyle Bradish: No-decision against Detroit
Bradish did not factor into Monday's decision against the Tigers, when he allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.2 innings.
Bradish limited the Tigers to one run through three innings before giving up two runs in both the fourth and fifth frames, and he was lifted one out shy from being in line for the decision. The five earned runs he allowed matched a season high that he set three times earlier in the season, and the veteran right-hander now has a 3.74 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 114:52 K:BB across 118 innings this season. Bradish's next start is lined up for this weekend at home against the Phillies.