MLB Player News

Crawford (3-7) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 5-2 to the Reds, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Some defensive misadventures by Boston softened the blow to the right-hander's ERA and allowed him to escape with his third straight quality start and eighth of the season, but it's hard to ignore the issues Crawford has had of late keeping the ball in the park. He's been tagged for multiple homers in three straight outings and served up at least one in seven straight, stumbling to a 5.36 ERA over the latter stretch despite a 1.19 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 40.1 innings. Crawford will try to turn things around in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.

Rodon (9-4) took the loss Friday as the Yankees fell 8-1 to Atlanta, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

The Atlanta offense came to life at the wrong time for Rodon, as he got taken deep by Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and Matt Olson before exiting the game after 93 pitches (56 strikes). The southpaw hadn't served up multiple homers in a start since May 2. After a run of seven straight quality starts, he's been tagged for 12 earned runs in 8.2 innings over his last two outings. Rodon will try to rebound in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Sale (10-2) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks over five innings in an 8-1 victory over the Yankees. He struck out eight.

A Jahmai Jones triple in the second inning was the only knock on Sale's line as the veteran lefty fanned at least seven batters for the eighth time in nine starts since the beginning of May. Over that stretch, he's posted a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 74:9 K:BB through 55 innings en route to becoming the third pitcher in the majors this season to reach double-digit wins, after the Phillies' Ranger Suarez and the Royals' Seth Lugo. Sale will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in St. Louis.

Pepiot came away with a no-decision in Friday's 10-3 win over the Pirates, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Despite the impressive offensive support, Pepiot wasn't efficient enough to qualify for his fifth win of the year and got the hook after 74 pitches (41 strikes). The right-hander tied his season high with the four free passes, while the three strikeouts tied his season low. Through four starts in June, he's stumbled to a 6.30 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 20 innings, and Friday's outing was his first this month in which he didn't serve up a homer. Pepiot will look to turn things around in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Rodriguez (8-3) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks over five-plus innings Friday, striking out eight and taking a loss against Houston.

Rodriguez gave up runs in the first and second innings but the real damage didn't come until later. He coughed up a three-run shot to Jake Meyers in the fifth inning and was charged with two runs during Houston's nine-run sixth. Rodriguez saw his three-game winning streak come to an end while taking his first loss of the month. He's given up seven runs twice this season but has allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 outings, resulting in a 3.82 ERA overall. The 24-year-old righty is in line for a home matchup with Cleveland next week.

Rea allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday.

This was the first time all year Rea's failed to log a strikeout, and it's just the third time in 15 appearances (13 starts) he's been on the hook for five runs. The right-hander's poor outing has him at a 3.62 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB through 82 innings. Rea is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.

Cease allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Friday.

Cease has failed to complete five innings in three of his last seven starts. He labored in this one, throwing 68 of 106 pitches for strikes while posting double-digit strikeouts for the second time this year. The right-hander is at a 4.14 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 116:28 K:BB over 91.1 innings through 16 starts. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Nationals.

Knack allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Friday.

Knack put in a strong effort, but the Dodgers' offense was unusually quiet. He left the game with a 2-0 lead, only for Ryan Yarbrough to cough it up in the sixth inning. Knack has a 2.10 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings across five starts in the majors this season. With both Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) and Walker Buehler (hip) landing on the injured list in the last week, Knack has a chance to establish himself in the Dodgers' rotation, as Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) and Dustin May (elbow) are likely to be rehabbing into July. However, with three of the next 10 days off, the Dodgers can get by with a four-man rotation for the rest of the month, so it's unclear if Knack will get the opportunity it looks like he's ready for.

Paddack allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Friday.

Paddack again struggled against Oakland, though his last start was worse as he allowed five runs in 2.1 innings. The right-hander has a poor 5.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 70:18 K:BB over 78.1 innings through 15 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Arizona, though he hasn't pitched well enough to be a reliable fantasy option.

Estes allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one over six innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Friday.

Estes was tagged for six runs over 2.2 innings in his previous start at Minnesota, but he responded with his second quality start in eight outings this season. The downside was his single strikeout, which was a season low for the right-hander. He's now at a 5.53 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB over 40.2 innings. Estes is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Angels.