MLB Player News

Dobnak allowed four hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Dobnak came up an out shy of a quality start, but it was still a good performance. The six strikeouts were a season high for the right-hander, who has been a steadying presence since joining the Royals' rotation in July. He's pitched to a 1.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB over 41.2 innings across eight games (six starts) so far. The 3.5 BB/9 is a little too high to project Dobnak for regular success over the course of the rest of the season. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Athletics.

Vasquez completed five relief innings against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters in a no-decision.

Vasquez was the Padres' third pitcher, following Wandy Peralta (one inning) and Kyle Hart (one inning). Vasquez had pitched well as a traditional starter in his previous two appearances, giving up just two runs over 11 combined frames, so it's unclear why he was transitioned back to bulk relief Saturday. Regardless, that decision didn't work out, as the right-hander yielded two runs in the fifth inning and another two in the seventh. It remains to be seen how Vasquez will be deployed moving forward, but he logged a starter's workload of 90 pitches Saturday, so he'll presumably remain on his regular rest schedule, which puts him on track to next take the mound next weekend at home against Minnesota.

Detmers (4-8) allowed two hits and struck out 11 without walking a batter over eight shutout innings to earn the win over the Royals on Saturday.

Detmers needed just 93 pitches (59 strikes) in this gem, though the Angels opted to have Ben Joyce come on for the save with a one-run lead to protect in the ninth inning. Prior to Saturday, Detmers came up winless in nine straight starts with a 4.60 ERA over 47 innings in that span. He has looked better since the All-Star break, giving up just seven runs over his last 34.1 innings with a 44:8 K:BB during that stretch. Overall, the southpaw has been a bright spot on a bad team with a 3.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 167:43 K:BB through 143 innings over 25 starts this season. Detmers is projected to be on the bump for a road start versus the Rangers his next time out.

Cantillo (9-7) earned the win over San Diego on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Cantillo yielded just one hit -- a single by the second batter he faced (Jake Cronenworth). The Padres were able to use that knock to manufacture a run, but Cantillo shut them down the rest of the way, allowing just two additional baserunners (both on free passes). Cantillo logged an impressive 15 whiffs on 87 pitches and finished with his first quality start and first outing of at least six innings since June 26. He's had issues with walks this season, but the left-hander has managed a 9-7 record with 139 punchouts over 125.2 innings while posting a 3.80 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 26 starts. He's slated to next take the mound on the road in Colorado.

Gray (15-3) allowed six hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Pirates.

Gray is now tied with Cristopher Sanchez for the major-league lead with 15 wins. This outing was Gray's fourth win in six starts since the All-Star break. The veteran right-hander has posted five scoreless outings in 23 starts while pitching to a 2.65 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB through 132.2 innings. He's lined up for a favorable home matchup versus the Giants in his next start.

Jones (2-5) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Red Sox.

Jones pitched fairly well, but the Pirates gave him no run support. He had allowed 11 runs over seven innings across his first two starts in August. Jones has taken the loss in his last four appearances and is now at a 4.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 72:21 K:BB over 64 innings over 14 starts this season. He's projected for a tough road start versus the Dodgers in his next outing.

Wesneski (2-1) took the loss against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out six.

Wesneski was never quite able to find his footing Saturday after coughing up four runs in the second inning, turning in his shortest outing of the campaign so far. The right-hander recorded a season high in punchouts, but he's yet to reach the 90-pitch mark in any of his four starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. Wesneski will be trying to further build up his pitch count against the lowly Athletics his next time out, carrying a 5.16 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

Hancock (7-7) earned the win against the Astros on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.

It looked like a rough day was brewing, as Houston tagged Hancock for a pair of runs in the first and second innings, but the hurler was dialed in from that point on. The right-hander is continuing to enjoy a breakout campaign, giving up three runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts now. Hancock will bring an excellent 3.30 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 119:32 K:BB over 128 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Cubs in pitcher-friendly Seattle.

Luzardo (11-5) earned the win against the Twins on Saturday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out nine.

Luzardo mostly cruised Saturday, punching out at least seven for the seventh time in his last eight outings. Additionally, the quality start was the southpaw's third in a row and sixth in his past eight appearances. Luzardo, who has notably given up two runs or fewer in 19 of his 25 starts on the year, is set to carry a 3.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 185:46 K:BB over 150.1 innings into a favorable home matchup against the Cardinals.

Manager Don Kelly said that Skenes won't start Sunday's game against the Red Sox as planned and will instead make his next start Wednesday versus the Tigers at PNC Park, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Kelly indicated that no injury was behind the decision to push Skenes off Sunday's start, as the Pirates simply wanted to build in more rest for their ace in advance of his next appearance. The Pirates will turn to reliever Lake Bachar to make a spot start Sunday in place of Skenes, who will get some extra time off after submitting a 6.52 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over his last four outings. Skenes threw just 65 pitches over five innings in his most recent start Tuesday in Miami and averaged 95.7 mph with his fastball, which was down a tick from his season-long average.