MLB Player News

Dobbins allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Monday.

As expected, Dobbins piggybacked starter Matthew Liberatore, who lasted only 3.2 innings while giving up three runs. Dobbins was the slightly more efficient and effective hurler, and he gave St. Louis more depth with 85 pitches to Liberatore's 67, though neither pitcher was particularly impressive. It remains to be seen how Dobbins will be deployed moving forward -- he could continue to piggyback Liberatore, but there's also a possibility he moves into the rotation if Liberatore continues to struggle or if another starter is traded before the deadline.

Liberatore (5-8) took the loss against the Cubs on Monday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 3.2 innings.

Liberatore never seemed to settle in, giving up a run in each of the first, second and third frames. He was pulled with two outs in the fourth and replaced by Hunter Dobbins, who finished off the final 5.1 innings for St. Louis. Dobbins was only slightly more effective in yielding four runs, though his season ERA of 3.74 is vastly superior to Liberatore's 5.26 mark. It remains to be seen if the two will continue to work in a piggyback situation, but Liberatore is at least tentatively lined up to make his next start in Toronto this weekend.

Urena did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings against the Astros. He struck out five.

Aside from a solo homer by Taylor Trammell in the fourth inning, Urena kept the Astros offense quiet and was in line for the win before a ninth-inning implosion by the Angels bullpen. The right-hander's impressive rookie season has continued into July, as he's posted a 1.25 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 21.2 innings (four starts) this month. Overall, Urena owns a 6-7 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 88:49 K:BB across 93.1 innings (19 appearances). His next outing is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Brewers.

Peterson (6-7) earned the win over St. Louis on Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings.

Peterson was far from dominant, but he finished one out shy of a quality start and picked up his second straight win. The lefty gave up just one extra-base hit -- a Jose Fermin solo homer -- and got nine of his 17 outs on grounders. Peterson was mauled by the Cardinals for 10 runs over 3.2 innings the last time he faced them July 3, so his outing Monday was a promising indication that he's figured some things out. While he still carries a poor 5.80 ERA on the campaign, Peterson has allowed just three earned runs over 17.1 frames across his past three starts to build some security around his rotation spot, at least in the short term. He's lined up to make his next start at home against the Yankees.

Imai did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on a hit and four walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Angels. He struck out one.

Imai couldn't find the strike zone, throwing just 12 of 33 pitches for strikes and recording only two outs before being lifted in favor of AJ Blubaugh. A late-game rally by the Astros offense kept Imai from taking the loss, but it was still a disastrous outing for the 28-year-old. Control issues have consistently plagued the right-hander, as Monday marked the third time this season he's failed to complete a full inning in a start. Imai's first MLB season has featured a few bright spots but has mostly been a struggle, as he's posted a 5.83 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 72:40 K:BB across 58.2 innings (15 starts). His next start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Rangers.

Schultz allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 3.1 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Monday.

Chicago stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and Schultz kept New York out of the scoring column for three frames. However, things unraveled for the lefty in the fourth inning, when he allowed the first three batters to reach base (on two walks and a single) before giving up a run-scoring groundout. Schultz was pulled after that, and two more runs were charged to his ledger after he departed. He threw 72 pitches in the short outing, and Schultz has completed less than four frames in each of his two starts since the All-Star break. The rookie now carries a 6.15 ERA on the campaign, and though a continued spot in the rotation isn't guaranteed, he's lined up to make his next start on the road in a pivotal AL East matchup against the Rays.

Fried allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over three innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Monday.

Fried remained on a limited pitch count in his second game back from an over-two-month injury absence, so his 32-pitch first inning was far from ideal. The left-hander gave up all three of the runs he allowed in that first frame, though he allowed at least one baserunner in each of the other two innings in which he appeared. Fortunately for Fried, New York's offense got going after his departure to take him off the hook for a loss. Overall, Fried threw 66 pitches -- nine more than the amount he hurled in his return to action last Wednesday -- and he'll likely to continue to build up over his next couple starts until he's fully ramped back up. He's lined up to make his next appearance at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

Perez allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Monday.

Perez was tormented by Francisco Lindor, who accounted for all of the scoring against him with an RBI triple and a two-run homer. The veteran lefty gave up plenty of traffic beyond those two hits but otherwise kept Atlanta in the hunt until the Mets exploded for 11 runs after his departure. Perez worked up to 87 pitches in his five frames, up from the 75 pitches and four innings he logged last Wednesday in his first start back from a stint on the 15-day IL due to a forearm injury. He seems to be fully recovered from that issue and is scheduled to make his next start at home versus Washington.

Thornton (2-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

Thornton struggled a bit out of the gate, allowing three first-inning singles, but a double play helped him escape with just one run on his ledger. The Mets' offense responded with a run in the bottom of that frame and went on to score 14 times, aiding the rookie righty in his second straight victory. Thornton continues to thrive despite not missing a ton of bats -- he had a modest nine whiffs and five punchouts, and he's compiled just 22 strikeouts across 29.2 innings on the campaign. That dents his fantasy appeal a bit, but Thornton has still been a really nice find so far, as he's recorded a 2.43 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through five MLB starts.

Wheeler took a no-decision Monday against the Marlins, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out six.

It was easily the shortest outing of the year for Wheeler, who also turned in his shortest start since 2022. Not only was it also the first time he gave up at least five runs since May of last season, it was somewhat concerning to see the star right-hander's four-seam fastball average only 93.5 mph after it averaged 95.1 mph for the campaign entering Monday. Wheeler still has a fine 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB over 103 innings, and he'll be looking to flush Monday's dud his next time out in Baltimore.