MLB Player News

Hicks allowed two hits in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the White Sox.

Ryan Walker threw 35 pitches Sunday versus the Athletics and was likely unavailable for Monday's contest. This was Hicks' seventh appearance since he moved to the bullpen, and he's kept runs off the board in each of his last six outings. He has previous experience as a closer, but Hicks has added just one save and one hold since losing his place in the rotation. For the season, he's pitched to a 3.85 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 94:44 K:BB over 107.2 innings across 27 appearances (20 starts). He has given up at least one hit in each of his outings as a reliever this year, so his current success could be short-lived.

Harrison (7-5) allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings to earn the win Monday over the White Sox.

This was Harrison's first quality start over four outings in August, though facing the lowly White Sox worked in his favor. The southpaw has allowed 12 runs over 19.1 innings this month. For the season, he's at a 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 108:38 K:BB over 117 innings through 22 starts. Harrison's previous high for innings in a single year was 113 in 2022, but with the Giants just hanging on in the wild-card race, it's unlikely he gets his workload managed any time soon. He's projected to make his next start on the road at light-hitting Seattle this weekend.

Houck allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Houck held the Astros scoreless until the fourth inning, when he allowed a pair of runs (one of which was unearned). The right-hander surrendered another run in the sixth but was able to complete that frame for his third consecutive quality start. Houck departed in line for the win, but a late Astros rally stuck him with a no-decision. He hasn't picked up a victory in any of his past six outings despite notching four quality starts in that span.

Pfaadt (8-6) picked up the win Tuesday against Miami, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Pfaadt's nine hits allowed tied his second most this season, and while he allowed four runs for a second consecutive outing, the right-hander stayed out of the loss column for a 10th straight start. On the year, Pfaadt has a 4.08 ERA and a 139:31 K:BB across 150 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Red Sox in Boston this weekend.

Kikuchi allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Boston on Monday.

Kikuchi fell behind early, giving up a leadoff homer to Jarren Duran on the first pitch of the contest. The Red Sox added an unearned run in the frame but managed only one more run -- again unearned -- before Kikuchi's exit with two outs in the sixth inning. Though he hasn't been able to complete six frames in any of his four outings in August, the southpaw has worked into the sixth on each occasion and hasn't given up more than two earned runs. Kikuchi also continues to pile up strikeouts -- he has 31 over 22.1 innings during the four-start stretch and is up to 161 across 138 frames on the campaign.

Gausman (11-9) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across five-plus innings. He struck out five.

Gausman was inefficient Monday, hitting 100 pitches before he retired a batter in the sixth inning. He exited the game with runners on first and second -- though the lead runner reached on a dropped third strike -- and Gausman's replacement Ryan Burr allowed both runners to score. the loss was Gausman's first in seven starts, a stretch where he's logged a 3.42 ERA across 47.1 innings. The 33-year-old is tentatively scheduled to face the Angels this weekend.

Rogers didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Rogers allowed three hits in the first inning -- including a two-run homer to J.D. Martinez -- but settled in afterward. Still, he wasn't able to finish out the fifth inning, being pulled after 91 pitches. Depth has been an issue for the left-hander lately, as he hasn't completed six innings since June 27. In four starts with the Orioles, Rogers is 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA and a 12:10 K:BB across 19 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Astros this weekend.

Lugo (14-7) earned the win Monday against the Angels, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

After allowing 11 runs over 9.1 innings in two straight losses, Lugo got back to his winning ways against a lowly Angels team. The only blemish in his 97-pitch performance was a two-run double laced by Jo Adell in the seventh inning. With this victory, Lugo lowered his second-half ERA from 5.23 to 4.76 across 39.2 innings. Overall, the 34-year-old has pitched to a 3.02 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 143:42 K:BB in 166.2 innings this season. He faces a much more difficult test in his next start, currently scheduled to be against the Phillies at home this weekend.

Peterson didn't factor into the decision Monday against Baltimore, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk across seven innings. He struck out eight.

Peterson logged his third quality start in four appearances and kept the Orioles off the scoreboard until the fifth inning Monday. The left-hander tied his season high in strikeouts and issued fewer than three walks for the second time in seven starts. Peterson has been excellent in August, boasting a 1.85 ERA across 24.1 innings. He's on track to cap off a two-start week Saturday at San Diego.

Spiers is expected to either start or work as the bulk reliever Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds have yet to name Spiers the starter, as Goldsmith notes there's a possibility the club uses an opener for the first inning or two before turning to the 26-year-old right-hander. Spiers worked in a bulk reliever role during his last appearance Wednesday against the Cardinals, surrendering two runs on six hits while fanning four over 2.2 frames.