MLB Player News

Webb earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing five hits and one walk in a complete-game shutout while striking out six.

Webb stifled Oakland's lineup throughout the contest, inducing 12 swings-and-misses while allowing only three batters to advance beyond first base. It marked the first complete game of the campaign for the right-hander and the second shutout of his career. Webb had allowed multiple runs in 10 consecutive starts coming in, and at least four runs in each of his previous three. He finishes the month of July with a 2-2 record and a 4.78 ERA, though he's also surrendered just two long balls over that stretch (spanning five starts).

Daniel did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings while striking out five.

Daniel got himself in trouble in the opening frame when he allowed three of the first five batters to reach, leading to one run coming home for Colorado. However, the right-hander settled in from that point on, hurling four shutout innings before being relieved by Jose Marte at the start of the sixth. Daniel had allowed at least four runs in each of his previous two starts coming in but now holds a robust 19:2 K:BB on the season. Daniel is expected to take the mound again next week against the Yankees in New York, assuming he earned himself at least another start with Wednesday's solid performance.

Freeland (3-4) picked up the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings while striking out six.

Freeland got off to a strong start, allowing just two singles over the first four innings before surrendering a solo homer to Logan O'Hoppe in the fifth. However, the lefty was able to get through the frame without taking any further damage, and went on to log his sixth quality start in his last seven outings. Freeland has also won three of his last four starts, posting six or more strikeouts three times over that stretch. Furthermore, Wednesday's performance marked the first outing this season in which Freeland didn't walk a batter.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Bowlan was part of the roster maneuvering as Kansas City officially added its trade-deadline acquisitions to the roster. The righty's latest stint in the majors lasted just one day, and he didn't make an appearance.

Kirby pitched 5.1 innings against Boston on Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters in a no-decision.

Kirby surrendered a run in the first inning but wasn't scored upon again until the sixth. In the latter frame, he gave up a pair of one-out hits, leading to his removal and ending a streak of nine straight starts of at least six frames. The right-hander had recorded a quality start in each of those contests and logged a 1.73 ERA in that span, though he posted just a 3-2 record. Kirby will try to begin a new streak his next time on the mound, which is tentatively slated to be a matchup against Detroit.

Bello allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over 6.1 innings in a no-decision against Seattle on Wednesday.

Bello allowed a run in the fourth and fifth frames but nothing more. The right-hander notched his fifth quality start over his past eight outings after recording just two quality starts across his initial 12 appearances of the season. Bello's strikeout numbers have been up of late as well -- he's posted at least seven punchouts in four of his past six starts after reaching that mark just three times through his initial 14 appearances.

Gore (6-9) took the loss against Arizona on Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 5.1 innings.

Though he's been up-and-down in terms of allowing runs this season, Gore entered Wednesday's contest with a healthy 10.3 K/9 over 105.2 frames. It comes as a surprise, then, to see just one punchout on his final stat line, though it's the second time he's posted that total over his past seven starts. In fact, Gore's production has been quite poor over that span, as he's recorded a 7.84 ERA and 24:19 K:BB over 31 innings. It appeared at times earlier in the campaign that Gore could be in the midst of a breakout, but he hasn't picked up a win since mid-June and is now sporting a 4.54 ERA, which would be the worst mark of his three-year career.

Kershaw (0-1) allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while failing to record a strikeout over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Padres.

The Dodgers made three errors in this contest, which didn't make life any easier for Kershaw in his second start of the season. He also threw a wild pitch and landed a decent 55 of 83 pitches for strikes in the short start. The southpaw is likely one or two starts away from a full workload at this stage. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Phillies.

Cease (11-8) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Cease's chance at consecutive no-hitters didn't get far, as he allowed a single to Jason Heyward in the second inning. The Dodgers didn't get much more out of him aside from Gavin Lux's RBI double in the third inning, and the Padres gave their ace plenty of run support. Cease has allowed just four runs over his last 34.2 innings, posting a 44:11 K:BB in that span while winning four straight. For the year, he's at a 3.42 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP and 174:43 K:BB through 136.2 innings spanning 23 starts. Cease is projected to make his next start at Pittsburgh.

Woodford allowed three runs, all unearned, on two hits and struck out three without walking a batter over five innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Woodford allowed 10 runs over 8.1 innings across two outings with the White Sox earlier in the season, leading to his release and eventual signing with Pittsburgh. With a 2.29 ERA over 35.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, Woodford was brought up by the Pirates for at least a spot start, and he held his own despite a pair of costly errors from Oneil Cruz. Woodford hasn't had much success in any role in the majors since 2022, so it's unclear if he'll be able to improve on Wednesday's performance. Unless the Pirates move to a six-man rotation in August, Woodford would not appear assured of another start in the immediate future.