MLB Player News

Cantillo didn't allow a baserunner over 1.2 scoreless innings and struck out one in a 4-3 loss to the Royals in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader.

Cantillo was scheduled to pitch in the game but didn't appear until the eighth inning, as the Guardians opted for a true bullpen game in the matinee rather than an opener/bulk reliever format. This was Cantillo's first scoreless appearance in five major-league outings this season. He now has a 7.71 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB over 18.2 innings. He was the 27th man for the doubleheader, so it's likely Cantillo will be returned to Triple-A Columbus before Tuesday's game.

German surrendered eight earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings of relief in Monday's 18-8 loss to the Cubs.

After tossing six shutout innings in his first start with the Pirates last Wednesday against the Rangers, German headed back to the bullpen as Pittsburgh kicked off its three-game series with the Cubs. The Pirates likely weren't planning on German working extensively Tuesday, but he was needed in long relief after started Mitch Keller was lifted after tossing four innings and 97 pitches. After entering the game with the Pirates facing a 3-2 deficit, German turned in a 1-2-3 fifth inning, but he completed unraveled in the sixth, with the Cubs batting around the order and capping an eight-run frame with a two-out Dansby Swanson grand slam. German returned for the seventh inning and gave up two base hits and recorded two outs before giving way to Brady Feigl. Though he worked out of the bullpen Tuesday, German could get another look in a starting role in September if the Pirates decide to expand their rotation to six men to create additional days of rest between starts for rookie hurlers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones (lat).

Ober (12-6) yielded nine runs on seven hits and two walks over two innings while taking a loss against Atlanta on Monday. He struck out two batters.

Ober was tagged with a three-run shot by Matt Olson in the first inning and a two-run homer by Travis d'Arnaud in the second. Entering Monday's start, Ober had given up nine total runs over his previous six outings, going 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA during that span. The last time he allowed more than six runs in a start was his season debut against the Royals on March 31. Ober saw his ERA jump from 3.54 to 4.06 after the rough outing. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is lined up to be at home against the Blue Jays.

Fried (8-7) yielded three runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings Monday, striking out seven and earning a win over Minnesota.

Fried gave up a run in the first inning and held the Twins in check until they plated two unearned runs in the fifth. It was Fried's first win since June 23, snapping an 0-4 skid over his previous seven appearances. He's produced a 5.26 ERA across five starts this month since returning from the injured list. While Fried has been shaky throughout the year and hasn't quite looked like his usual self, he still owns a solid 3.50 ERA with a 126:46 K:BB through 133.2 innings. His next start is projected to be in Philadelphia this weekend.

Vasquez (4-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings Monday, striking out two and earning a win over St. Louis.

Vasquez was called up to make his first MLB appearance since Aug. 8 and delivered a quality start. It was his first win since throwing six shutout frames against Washington on July 23. Vasquez has now made 18 starts with the Padres this season. He registered a 5.70 ERA through the first nine and a 3.40 ERA over his last nine. Vasquez will carry a 4.52 ERA into his next start, which is currently lined up to be in Tampa Bay.

Gibson (7-6) allowed seven runs on five hits and four walks over 4.1 innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Padres.

Gibson coughed up a two-run shot to Manny Machado in the first inning and set the tone for a poor performance. The Padres scored another pair in the third inning before piling on four more runs in the fifth. Gibson has given up 15 earned runs over 14.1 innings in his last three starts, driving his season ERA up from 3.99 to 4.54 in the process. Since his last win July 7, he's gone 0-3 with a 5.86 ERA over eight outings. Gibson is projected for a road matchup with the Yankees this weekend.

Wheeler came away with a no-decision in Monday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Astros, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The veteran righty fired 64 of 97 pitches for strikes in his NL-leading 20th quality start of the season, tying him with Seattle's Logan Gilbert for the major-league lead. Wheeler has produced a quality start in all five of his trips to the mound in August, posting a 1.97 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 37:5 K:BB through 32 innings on the month. He'll look to keep bolstering his Cy Young credentials in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against Atlanta.

The Red Sox selected Hill's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Hill made just one appearance with Worcester after inking a minor-league contract in mid-August, tossing two scoreless innings on Aug. 23. The 44-year-old threw 28 pitches in the appearance, so he's not ready to be used as a traditional starter initially. Hill posted a 5.41 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 146.1 innings with the Pirates and Padres in 2023.

Blanco came away with a no-decision in Monday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Phillies, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander blanked Philly through four innings before giving up single runs in the fifth and sixth, and Blanco left the mound after 91 pitches (61 strikes) just short of his 13th quality start of the season. He's taken a big step back since the All-Star break, managing only one QS in seven trips to the mound while posting a 4.98 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB through 34.1 innings, and his career-high workload of 143.1 frames likely has something to do with that. Blanco will look for his first win since July 9 in his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Royals.

Allen (8-5) took the loss in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Royals, coughing up five runs on eight hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out one.

Called up to make a spot start in the twin bill, Allen tossed only 43 of 76 pitches for strikes, and when he did get the ball over the plate, Kansas City hitters tended to hit it hard -- four of the eight hits off the southpaw went for extra bases, including solo homers by Paul DeJong in the second inning and Salvador Perez in the fifth. The Guardians are still looking for a reliable fifth starter with Alex Cobb (finger) sidelined, but Allen doesn't appear to be a solution given his 5.73 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 2.03 HR/9 over 97.1 big-league innings this season.