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Spencer Schwellenbach P | ATL
Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach: Reaches double-digit Ks again
Schwellenbach did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 win versus Miami, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks over seven innings. He struck out 10.
After punching out a career-high 11 in his last start, the Atlanta rookie generated an impressive 17 whiffs en route to his 10 punchouts in this 94-pitch outing. After allowing a two-run homer to Jonah Bride in the first inning, the only other blemish on Schwellenbach's performance was a 416-foot solo shot given up to Jake Burger in the third. The right-hander has been splendid post-All-Star break, firing 20 innings with a 3.15 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 29:0 K:BB. Schwellenbach is currently slated to face the Brewers at home in his next start.
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Valente Bellozo RP | COL
Marlins' Valente Bellozo: Fans five in no-decision
Bellozo did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.
The Miami right-hander was recalled Friday to make his first start since July 2 after pitching to a 3.21 ERA across 14 innings at Triple-A since his last major league appearance. The 24-year-old tossed 66 pitches before being lifted in the sixth after allowing a leadoff triple to Whit Merrifield. The two earned runs on Bellozo's ledger were Merrifield -- who later scored on an Austin Riley RBI groundout -- and a solo homer allowed to Orlando Arcia in the fifth. If the Marlins rookie sticks in the rotation, his next start would be slated to come against the Reds at home next week.
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Tarik Skubal SP | LAD
Tigers' Tarik Skubal: Stumbles late vs. Royals
Skubal (12-4) took the loss Friday against Kansas City, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out eight.
Skubal was solid for most of the night Friday, holding the Royals to three runs through his first six innings while racking up eight strikeouts for the third time in his last four starts. However, the left-hander allowed a pair of singles with one out in the seventh before he was replaced by Shelby Miller, who'd allow both inherited runs to score. It's the first loss for Skubal since June 19 -- he'd gone 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA in his previous six outings (40 innings). Skubal still sports a stellar 2.47 ERA on the year with a 0.95 WHIP and an AL-leading 162 strikeouts through 22 starts (136.1 innings). Skubal will look to get back into the win column his next time out -- he's currently lined up to face the Mariners on the road next week.
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Cole Ragans RP | KC
Royals' Cole Ragans: Grabs eighth win
Ragans (8-7) earned the win Friday over the Tigers, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
Ragans got off to a shaky start Friday, surrendering a two-run homer to Justyn-Henry Malloy in the first inning. However, the southpaw settled in and blanked Detroit over his final 4.2 frames, allowing just one additional hit, en route to his third win in his last four starts. While he ultimately turned in a strong outing Friday, Ragans has now failed to make it through six innings in back-to-back starts -- he'd gone at least six in eight of his previous nine starts. Overall, Ragans sports a 3.36 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 159:45 K:BB across 134 innings this season. He's currently slated to face the Red Sox at home in his next start.
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Walker Buehler SP | SD
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Needs another rehab start
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Buehler (hip) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Buehler has struggled mightily in his last two rehab outings, giving up eight earned runs in 7.1 innings while striking out nine batters and walking five. His next outing will most likely be his final appearance in the minors, regardless of his performance, though he could be relegated to the bullpen if he's unable to turn things around.
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Bobby Miller RP | LAD
Dodgers' Bobby Miller: Scratched from start Friday
Miller was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday due adductor tightness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Miller felt tightness following his bullpen session earlier in the week. After struggling in the majors this season, Miller was optioned to Oklahoma City on July 10. He's been inconsistent since being sent down to the minors, and in his last outing July 27, he walked away with the no-decision after allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out one across 3.2 innings.
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Max Scherzer SP | TOR
Rangers' Max Scherzer: Placed on IL with arm fatigue
The Rangers placed Scherzer on the 15-day injured list Friday due to right shoulder fatigue.
Scherzer noted after his most recent start Tuesday against St. Louis that he felt his arm fatigued for the second time in three starts, per MLB.com. He took the loss against the Cardinals after allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five across four innings and 68 pitches. A minimum stint on the injured list would put Scherzer on track to return to the Texas rotation Aug. 15, but he could be held out longer to make sure his shoulder is 100 percent healthy. In his eight starts since returning from offseason back surgery in June, Scherzer has gone 2-4 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB across 39.1 innings. Walter Pennington was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.
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DL Hall RP | MIL
Brewers' DL Hall: Set for another rehab start
Hall (knee) will make at least one more rehab start with Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Hall was able to get through five innings during his latest rehab start Wednesday -- his longest outing out of all 12 minor-league appearances he's made since landing on the IL in April. He'll most likely move to the bullpen once he comes off the injured list, but the Brewers will give him one more start in the minors to stretch out even further -- just in case he's needed in the MLB rotation.
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Gerrit Cole SP | NYY
Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Will start Sunday
Cole (fatigue) said that he's been cleared to start Sunday against the Blue Jays after his bullpen session Friday went well, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Cole was scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start against the Phillies due to general body fatigue, but he is set to return to the mound for Sunday's series finale. The right-hander has made seven starts since recovering from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow, going 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 35 innings.
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Javier Assad RP | CHC
Cubs' Javier Assad: Lasts just four innings vs. Cards
Assad did not factor into the decision Friday against St. Louis, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.
Assad was lucky to escape Friday's outing with just one run against him, particularly in the third inning when the Cards could only score once after loading the bases. However, Assad ultimately failed to qualify for a win as he was removed prior to the fifth inning after needing 97 pitches to get through four. Walks have been a struggle for Assad lately -- the 27-year-old right-hander's now issued 10 free passes in his last three starts (13.1 innings). Overall, he's 5-3 on the season with a 3.19 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 89:45 K:BB across 98.2 innings. Assad will look to improve his command in his next start, currently lined up for next week at home against Minnesota.