MLB Player News

Parker (7-9) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.

Parker matched his season best with eight punchouts, throwing a whopping 72 percent of his pitches for strikes. The 24-year-old pitched well despite taking the loss, allowing one extra-base hit while notching his 10th quality start of the season. Parker now owns a respectable 4.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 117:35 K:BB in 132.2 innings (25 starts). Parker will look to get back in the win column his next time out, currently scheduled for next weekend in Pittsburgh.

Wicks (2-2) pitched five innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Sunday against Washington, allowing four hits and zero walks while striking out zero.

Making his first start since June 14, Wicks breezed through the Washington lineup, using just 69 pitches to get through five frames. Things got dicey for Wicks in the second inning when he allowed the bases to be loaded with zero out, but he induced a double play and a flyout to limit the damage to one run. The 25-year-old landed on the 60-day IL back in June with an oblique strain after pitching to a 4.18 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB in 28 innings (six starts) before the injury. After throwing a modest 69 pitches on Sunday, expect Wicks workload to ramp up moving forward, starting with next weekend's scheduled start against the Yankees.

Spence allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out five during the extra-inning loss to Texas.

Spence allowed a run in each of the first and third innings but otherwise kept the Rangers in check. He threw just 47 of 87 pitches for strikes and walked at least three batters for the sixth time in his last nine outings. Spence is 0-3 with a 4.60 ERA since the start of August and hasn't earned a win since July 27. He's currently in line for a home matchup against the Tigers.

Blach (3-7) yielded five runs on five hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Baltimore.

Blach was promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque for his first MLB appearance since July 26. He gave up one run through three innings before Baltimore's four-run fourth frame, capped off by James McCann's two-run blast. Blach now owns a 6.65 ERA with a 35:18 K:BB through 67.2 innings with Colorado this season. He's currently scheduled to start in Milwaukee next weekend, but it's unclear if he'll get another turn in the rotation.

Kershaw was spotted playing catch on the field prior to Sunday's 14-3 loss to the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw remains without a definitive timeline to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list, but the fact that he was able to do some throwing one day after being deactivated and two days after exiting his start against the Diamondbacks with a bone spur in his left big toe bodes well for a quick return. Manager Dave Roberts noted Saturday that the toe issue makes it difficult for Kershaw to move around, so the veteran southpaw may need to prove that he can comfortably field his position before the Dodgers have a better sense of when he might be activated. The Dodgers called up lefty Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday to fill Kershaw's spot in the rotation.

Eflin (10-7) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win over Colorado.

Eflin returned from a brief stint on the injured list and showed no signs of rust. He rolled through six shutout frames before the Rockies finally pushed a run home in the seventh inning. Eflin forced 18 whiffs, including 13 with his curveball. He's been outstanding since being traded to the Orioles. In five starts with his new team, he's gone 5-0 with a 1.95 ERA and a 34:3 K:BB. The hot streak has lowered Eflin's season ERA to 3.60 with a 121:16 K:BB through 142.1 innings. He's currently lined up to face the Rays at home next weekend.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win against the Yankees, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and zero walks while striking out five in four innings.

Mikolas held his own through four innings, allowing one earned run on a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the second. Things fell apart in the fifth, however, as Mikolas allowed three runners to score before exiting with the bases loaded and zero out. Fortunately for Mikolas, reliever John King was able to escape the jam unscathed, preventing any further damage. The 36-year-old has done an admirable job eating up innings for the Cardinals this season, but the veteran owns an ugly 5.27 ERA, second-worst among qualified pitchers. Mikolas will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend against Seattle.

Pepiot did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over three innings against the Padres. He struck out four.

Pepiot racked up 89 pitches through three-plus innings, including being pulled after tossing 22 pitches without recording an out during a three-run fourth inning. It was Pepiot's shortest outing over his last 14 starts since working only two frames back on May 5. It's also the first time he's allowed more than two earned runs in a start since the middle of June. Pepiot will look to rebound during his next start, slated to take place when the Rays travel to Baltimore to take on the Orioles.

Madden is expected to pitch in Monday's game against the Padres at Petco Park, either as a traditional starter or a bulk reliever, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Madden came up from Triple-A Toledo to make his MLB debut in a starting role this past Monday against the White Sox, covering five innings while giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two. While the Tigers initially listed him as their expected starter for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, the team ultimately changed its plans and deployed Beau Brieske as an opener in front of Brant Hurter. Assuming Madden does in fact pitch Monday, he'll line up for two appearances this week, with his second outing projected to come Sunday in Oakland.

Cease did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks over five innings against the Rays. He struck out four.

Cease entered the sixth with a three-run lead, having managed to hold the Rays off the board through five while allowing only two batters to reach base. However, Cease was removed from the game after loading the bases while not recording an out in the sixth, making him responsible for all three runners that eventually came around to score. It was the third time over his last four starts that Cease has walked at least three batters, though he did allow just five batters to reach base over five-plus innings after having allowed 37 baserunners during his previous 21.1 frames. He's next scheduled to take the hill in a home matchup against the Giants.