MLB Player News

Gausman (9-12) allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over four innings to take the loss versus the Brewers on Wednesday.

Gausman wasn't able to match his performance from last week against Milwaukee, when he surrendered just one run over seven frames. He was tagged for a trio of home runs over the first two innings Wednesday, accounting for six of the seven runs on his line. This was the third time in seven starts with the Cubs that Gausman has failed to complete five frames, and he's been charged with five or more runs three times in that span as well. Overall, he has a 4.60 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 171:46 K:BB through 166.1 innings over 30 starts between the Cubs and the Blue Jays. The right-hander's next projected start is another tough one at home versus Atlanta next week.

Jax (7-10) picked up the win Wednesday over Atlanta, allowing one run off two hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out two.

Jax was still a bit limited in his second start back from an elbow issue, as he only threw 66 pitches (45 strikes) but still got through five innings with the only damage against him coming via a Drake Baldwin solo homer. The righty improved his ERA to 3.99 and WHIP to 1.24 over 99.1 innings with the efficient performance. The 31-year-old Jax is slated to pitch next week against the Athletics at home, presumably still with a limited workload.

Smith will start Thursday's game against the Pirates, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

All 10 of Smith's major-league appearances have come out of the bullpen, during which the 23-year-old lefty has allowed just one earned run in 16 innings while striking out 23 batters. His strong performance will now buy him the chance to make his first career start in the big leagues, though he may not work deep into Thursday's contest after throwing fewer than 40 pitches in each of his last three outings.

Martin (9-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out one.

Martin threw only 68 pitches in his second game back from a blister on his right middle finger, which is an interesting workload given his effectiveness and the fact he threw 80 pitches in his first start back from the IL last week. The right-hander still went five innings and has allowed just one earned run over 10.2 innings since returning from the blister. The 29-year-old is scheduled to make his next start in Cleveland next week.

Johnson (4-8) notched the win against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Johnson overcame a pair of home runs to log a quality start Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander is building a compelling case to be part of the Angels' future pitching plans -- he's posted either a quality start or given up two runs or fewer in all seven of his starts since being recalled from the minor leagues in early August. He'll look to further improve a 5.12 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 63:39 K:BB over 84.1 innings this year in his next scheduled outing versus the Mariners.

Junk did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 15-14 loss to the Mets, allowing eight runs on eight hits and one walk over three innings. He did not record a strikeout.

Wednesday was arguably Junk's worst performance of the season, with the right-hander giving up six runs in the second inning before allowing two more runs in the third. The eight runs allowed tied a season high he set May 20 against Atlanta, but luckily for Junk, he avoided the loss thanks to the offensive output from his Marlins teammates. Junk now stands at a 4.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 111 innings, and he'll look to bounce back in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Bennett (9-7) took the loss against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

Bennett was stung by the long ball Wednesday, serving up a trio of home runs. The left-hander registered his fewest punchouts since May 7 versus the Rays, and he also saw a streak of three quality starts come to an end. Bennett has conceded five big flies in his first two starts of September, which is a bit of a concern after he surrendered just two over five outings in August. He still has a quality 3.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 83:19 K:BB over 105 innings.

Stock did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four across four innings.

Stock was back in the Mets' rotation for Wednesday's contest, and he kept the Marlins off the board through the first three innings before giving up three runs on back-to-back singles in the fourth. He finished his outing with eight whiffs on 80 pitches (48 strikes), and the veteran right-hander has a 5.93 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 30.1 innings this season. The Mets are going with a six-man rotation for the time being, so Stock is tentatively slated to make his next start against the Orioles at home next week.

Brown took a no-decision against the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out seven.

After Houston scored four runs in the third inning, the Phillies responded with four runs of their own against Brown in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander gave up his most runs since July 4 versus Tampa Bay, also breaking up a four-start streak with at least five innings and two runs or fewer allowed. He'll try to bounce back when he brings a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 100:46 K:BB over 92 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Royals.

Sanchez (17-5) earned the win against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out three.

It was a rare dud by the All-Star southpaw, who gave up his most runs since July 6 in Kansas City. It was also a surprise to see Sanchez serve up a pair of home runs after he gave up just two in his prior nine outings combined, but he's now worked at least five frames in all but one of his 30 starts on the year. He'll take an excellent 2.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 210:42 K:BB over 187.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Washington.