MLB Player News

Ritchie (1-2) was tagged with the loss Wednesday in the 7-5 defeat to the Giants after he allowed five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four in five innings.

Ritchie was tagged for five runs early as he gave up three home runs in the first two innings Wednesday. This was Ritchie's first start since being recalled from the minors last week. The 22-year-old was also a bit wild in the game, throwing strikes on only 54 of his 90 pitches and issuing at least three free passes for a fourth time in seven MLB outings. Spencer Strider's (elbow) presence on the injured list should allow Ritchie to pick up another start next week in San Diego.

Espino recorded two strikeouts over one perfect inning against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Espino came in to relieve Gavin Williams in the sixth inning and struck out Garrett Mitchell and Cooper Pratt before inducing a flyout for a clean MLB debut. The 2019 first-round pick, who was once one of the top prospects in baseball before injuries took a toll, had a 5.30 ERA and a 29:15 K:BB in 22 appearances (18.2 innings) for Triple-A Columbus this year prior to being promoted last week.

Manager Pat Murphy said after Wednesday's win over Cleveland that Sproat's hamstring cramps are minor and won't impact his next scheduled start, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sproat's hamstring began to give him trouble during the fourth inning of Wednesday's contest, forcing him out of the game after he'd given up four earned runs in 3.2 innings. He won't have to worry about missing any additional starts, however, which puts him on track to take the mound next week on the road against the Reds.

Bennett (1-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Bennett fared well Wednesday, keeping the ball in the yard while firing 55 of his 79 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old left-hander also gave up a season-low three knocks, fanned a season-high five and even issued no free passes for the first time in four starts this year. Bennett has a 4.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 20.2 innings and should maintain a rotation spot while Garrett Crochet (shoulder/lat) is sidelined, but a difficult assignment in Colorado awaits Bennett in his next scheduled outing.

Kay (6-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out two.

The Yankees immediately jumped Kay on Wednesday, tagging the hurler for a pair of runs in both the first and second innings. The 31-year-old left-hander continues to struggle to find the plate consistently -- he's now issued at least one walk in all 15 of his appearances and has also hit at least one batter in five of his last seven starts. Kay has an uninspiring 4.61 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 55:28 K:BB over 70.1 innings, but he's next set to face a Cleveland lineup that will be without star third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand).

Williams (9-4) picked up the loss against the Brewers Wednesday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

After getting some additional rest because of Sunday's postponement, Williams served up his most earned runs in a start this season, leading to his first loss since May 10. This was the right-hander's third straight start in which he has not completed six innings after getting to that mark in his prior eight outings. Williams has also had problems with the long ball lately, surrendering six homers in his past three games after giving up just nine across his first 12 starts of the campaign.

Rodon (3-2) notched the win Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out seven.

Rodon yielded mixed results Wednesday, giving up all three of his runs in the third inning while also surrendering a season-worst seven knocks. The 33-year-old southpaw fanned seven in his third consecutive start, however, and also issued a season-low one walk. Rodon will take a steady 3.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB over 36 innings into his next scheduled outing in Detroit.

Rodriguez (6-2) notched the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing one run on six hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out five.

After serving up a solo home run to Zach Neto in the opening frame, Rodriguez got himself locked in on the mound en route to tallying the 100th win of his career. The 33-year-old left-hander went on to spin six scoreless innings thereafter, and he's now fired at least six frames while yielding two runs or fewer four times in his past six starts. Rodriguez, who sports a career-best 2.45 ERA to go with a 1.23 WHIP and 65:35 K:BB over 88.1 innings, will be looking to continue his resurgent campaign in St. Louis his next time out.

Aldegheri (2-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks in three innings. He struck out one.

Aldegheri didn't last long Wednesday during his third start of the year, serving up a grand slam to Corbin Carroll in the second inning. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up a season-worst six runs and eight hits in what was his shortest outing as a starter so far this year. Aldegheri is tentatively lined up to take the ball against the Orioles next week, but he now holds an underwhelming 4.50 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 13:11 K:BB over 20 innings.

McClanahan did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks with three strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

McClanahan unraveled in the fourth, allowing five baserunners and two runs before exiting with two outs in the frame. The southpaw issued a season-high five walks and has now failed to pitch beyond the fourth inning in back-to-back outings while yielding 10 earned runs across three June starts. He still owns a solid 3.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 69:27 K:BB over 67.2 innings this season and will try to rebound in a home matchup against the Royals next week.