MLB Player News

Nunez was shut down for the season in May due to a shoulder issue, MLB.com reports.

Part of the package of prospects the Orioles got from the Twins in the 2022 deal that sent Jorge Lopez to Minnesota, Nunez has developed into one of Baltimore's top pitching prospects. Prior to his injury, he had a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 29.1 innings for High-A Aberdeen.

Harris owns a 2-2 record, 4.94 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 27.1 innings over five starts since being optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on July 26.

The poor ratios are largely the result of Harris' last two starts, during which he surrendered 12 runs (11 earned) on 16 hits (three home runs) and five walks across 9.1 innings. In contrast, Harris' first three starts upon returning to Las Vegas saw him replicate much of the same success he enjoyed at the big-league level, as he pitched to a 2-0 record, 2.00 ERA and 11.0 K/9 in that span. Control has clearly been a persistent issue at both levels for Harris, however, and it's unclear when the Athletics may be willing to give the southpaw another look in the majors.

Dunning will start Monday's contest against the Pirates.

The choice seemed to come down to Dunning or Jose Urena and the Rangers have opted for the former. Dunning has been deployed as a swingman this season and this will be his second appearance in a row as a starter after he allowed four runs over five frames last week versus the Red Sox. While Dunning could earn additional turns in the rotation, his spot is tenuous with Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) lurking.

Diaz (finger) was reinstated from Triple-A Reno's 7-day injured list Thursday and struck out six while allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings in his return to the club's rotation.

Diaz was placed on Reno's IL on Aug. 7 with a blister on his right hand but missed just over a week of action before making his return. The 24-year-old righty acquitted himself well in four starts with the big club earlier this season, but he could struggle to get another look with the Diamondbacks in 2024 if all of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery and Ryne Nelson are all able to stay healthy down the stretch.

Stroman did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Tigers, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing four hits and two walks. He struck out five.

Stroman had one of his best outings in recent memory Sunday. It was his first time reaching six innings since June 22 and his fourth time this season shutting the opponent out and reaching six innings. He exited the game with a narrow 1-0 lead that eventually slipped away in the ninth. Stroman has now allowed just one run over his last two starts after allowing 10 combined in his two starts prior. His strikeout averages this year are one of the lowest of his career and his walks are up, but he's trending towards a fifth straight season with an ERA below 4.00. For the year, Stroman owns a 3.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 92:54 K:BB in 127.1 innings. He lines up to face the Rockies at home over the weekend his next time out.

The Pirates currently have no plans to shut Skenes down but are considering shortening his starts, Ken Rosenthal, Stephen J. Nesbitt and Zack Meisel of The Athletic report.

Skenes has thrown 125.1 innings this season between the majors and minors, which is just a few innings shy of how many he threw in 2023 between college and the minors. With the Pirates' playoff odds looking remote, it could make sense to tap the brakes a bit on Skenes' workload. When/if the team implements Skenes' innings restrictions and whether it would announce it beforehand isn't clear, creating some potential headaches for fantasy managers. While a full shutdown currently looks unlikely, the report notes that the Pirates have a possible incentive to shut Skenes down, as the pitcher would earn an additional year of service time if he finishes first or second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, resulting in him reaching free agency a year earlier.

Snell did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Athletics, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 over seven innings.

Snell was engaged in a pitcher's duel with JP Sears for much of the game. The first run was eventually scored by the Athletics in the sixth inning and that's all Snell would give up. He did find himself in a bases loaded jam in the seventh with one out but was able to get out of it unharmed. Over his last eight starts, Snell has posted a 1.03 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 70:16 K:BB in 52.1 innings. He leads MLB starting pitchers in ERA and is tied for first in WHIP over that span. Snell also has double-digit strikeouts in four of his last five starts. For the year, the 31-year-old owns a 3.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 101:30 K:BB in 76 innings. He lines up for a home matchup against the Mariners his next time out.

Sears did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Giants, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out nine over 7.2 innings.

Sears blanked the Giants through six frames before Heliot Ramos led off the seventh with a solo home run to even the game at 1-1. It was another dominant performance by Sears, who posted his fourth straight quality start and his second over the last four with nine strikeouts. Sunday's outing was the longest Sears has gone over his three-year MLB career, and since the start of July he owns a 2.65 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB in 51 innings. He'll look to keep rolling along in a projected home matchup against the Brewers.

Kochanowicz (1-3) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings. He did not strike out a batter.

Kochanowicz nearly escaped the first inning clean, but Atlanta was able to scratch a run across. They tacked on a second when Ramon Laureano took him deep to open up the fourth to make it a 2-0 game. He's given the Angels some excellent length in his two recent starts, though he did post a 2:4 K:BB in 13.2 innings, so there hasn't been much swing-and-miss with his pitches. He's also given up a home run in all four of his starts thus far. The 23-year-old owns a 6.53 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB in 20.2 innings. He lines up for a road start against the Blue Jays his next time taking the mound.

Morton (7-7) got the win Sunday over the Angels, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings.

Morton retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced but ran into some trouble in the fifth inning. He found himself in a bases loaded jam with nobody out and was able to escape with just one run allowed. Atlanta's pitching combined for 14 strikeouts with Morton responsible for half of those. He now has 15 strikeouts over his last two starts (11.1 innings) after he had just 15 strikeouts over his previous four starts combined (17.1 innings). The 40-year-old now owns a 4.29 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 127:46 K:BB in 126 innings. He lines up to face the Nationals at home in a start over the weekend.