MLB Player News

Blackburn (4-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Angels. He struck out four.

Blackburn walked the first two batters he faced and needed 29 pitches to get through the first inning. The right-hander settled in nicely after that, however, allowing just three more hits and a walk over the next four frames while holding the Angels to one run. Blackburn has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts, lowering his ERA to 3.81 on the season. On the downside, he's also issued multiple walks in four of his last six outings.

Miller (elbow) struck out four over three perfect innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller needed only 37 pitches to cruise through his four frames and averaged 98.2 miles per hour with his fastball. The Athletics had indicated that Saturday's outing with Las Vegas would probably be Miller's final rehab start, and if it was, he certainly passed the test with flying colors. The 25-year-old has been out since early May because of a UCL sprain in his right elbow, so his workload with the Athletics down the stretch could be quite limited. As such, Miller could make for a middling fantasy option once he returns, though he could be a strong ratio stabilizer in the innings he does pitch.

Greinke will be used in bulk relief for the Royals in Sunday's game versus the Red Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Taylor Clarke will serve as the opener for Kansas City and likely work an inning or two before giving way to Greinke, who will be pitching out of the bullpen for the second time this season. In his return from the injured list Aug. 22, Greinke tossed four scoreless frames behind opener Angel Zerpa before returning to a traditional starting role his last time out. He'll carry a 1-13 record and 5.28 ERA into action Sunday.

Wells hasn't pitched at Triple-A Norfolk since Aug. 25 due to right arm fatigue, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It now seems in retrospect that the fatigue contributed to Wells' midseason struggles and subsequent demotion. He was recently moved to the bullpen at Norfolk and has had trouble bouncing back after outings. The Orioles are hoping he'll be able to pitch again soon, but realistically, they can't be counting on him to contribute down the stretch.

Bradley will be recalled from Triple-A Durham to start Sunday versus the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bradley will be making his first start in the majors since late July. He's turned in a mixed bag of results so far at the big-league level, posting a 5.67 ERA and 1.41 WHIP but also an excellent 99:26 K:BB over 74.2 frames. He collected a 2.91 ERA and 24:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings covering five starts with Durham in August.

Williams (6-9) took the loss Saturday, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits over four innings against Miami. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

It was a rough afternoon for Williams, as the right-hander allowed season highs in hits (12), earned runs (eight) and homers (four). He surrendered runs in all four innings in which he appeared and failed to make it through five frames for the fourth time in his last six outings. Williams has now lost five of his last six decisions (spanning 10 starts) and has given up at least three home runs in three of his last five starts.

Cueto (1-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Cueto allowed one run through the first four innings before surrendering solo homers in the fifth and sixth. However, by that point, Miami had already backed the veteran right-hander with plenty of run support in his first start since returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list due to an illness, helping him seal his first win of the 2023 campaign. Cueto still has not allowed more than four runs in any start this season, though he's now given up at least three runs in five straight. He's also surrendered two home runs in three consecutive outings and in four of his last five.

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a stress reaction in his right big toe.

Ashcraft pitched five innings Friday against the Cubs before leaving the game to get an MRI on his toe. He'll now officially miss multiple turns through the rotation and be replaced on the roster by Chasen Shreve, who was selected from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

Wainwright won't start Sunday against the Pirates, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Wainwright reportedly needs a few extra days to recover after his last start Monday against the Padres. Zack Thompson will take Wainwright's place Sunday as the rotation moves up a day, and Wainwright's next start will come Thursday against Atlanta.

Williamson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list and won't start as scheduled Sunday against the Cubs, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson joins Hunter Greene, Ben Lively and Fernando Cruz as Reds pitchers on the COVID list. No replacement starter has been named for Sunday, but Connor Phillips, Michael Mariot and Levi Stoudt are potential options to be called up from Triple-A Louisville.