MLB Player News

Falter (1-7) earned the win Monday against the Cardinals. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

The 26-year-old lefty operated as Pittsburgh's bulk reliever after Thomas Hatch pitched the first three innings in an opener role Monday. Apart from an Andrew Knizner solo home run in the fifth inning, Falter breezed through the final six innings of the contest, receiving ample run support and earning his first victory of the campaign. This marks back-to-back impressive outings for the southpaw, as he's allowed just two earned runs -- both solo home runs -- over 11.1 frames while posting a 13:3 K:BB during that span. It remains to be seen what Falter's role will be moving forward.

Rom (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing eight runs (six earned) on eight hits and four walks over 3.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out four.

The 23-year-old southpaw struggled to keep the Pirates at bay in his major-league debut and was pulled with two outs in the fourth inning after surrendering a three-run homer to Josh Palacios. Rom dazzled in his two starts at Triple-A Memphis after coming over from the Orioles in the Jack Flaherty trade, allowing just one earned run on two hits while striking out 18 across 11 innings; however, he received a rude welcome to the big leagues Monday. Whether the rookie will get another opportunity in the rotation remains uncertain.

Eovaldi (forearm) faced batters during a live batting practice session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi was encouraged following the session, estimating that only one of the batted balls would have been a hit. The right-hander believes he could get big-league hitters out now if asked to pitch; however, neither Eovaldi nor Texas manager Bruce Bochy would confirm his next step. A rehab start could be in the offing, but the possibility exists Eovaldi could immediately come off the 15-day injured list and return to the rotation as soon as later this week.

Davies (back) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over six innings for Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Davies was poised to be activated and start for the Diamondbacks on Sunday, but Hurricane Hilary forced that game to be moved up to Saturday as part of a doubleheader. Instead, Davies made a third rehab start, getting up to 87 pitches, and he should be ready to go this weekend against the Reds. As middling as Sunday's results sound, it was the best of his three rehab starts. In three turns for the Aces, Davies allowed 13 runs on 22 hits and seven walks while striking out six over 13.1 innings.

Montgomery pitched eight scoreless innings in a no-decision against Arizona on Monday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six batters.

Montgomery was excellent in the outing, racking up 16 swinging strikes and holding the Diamondbacks without an extra-base hit. He got very little run support but still looked to be in line for the win upon his departure, as Texas held a 1-0 lead heading into the ninth. The Rangers' bullpen couldn't hold on, however, saddling Montgomery with a no-decision. Nonetheless, the southpaw picked up his fifth straight quality start, the last four of which have come since he joined Texas at the trade deadline. Since becoming a Ranger, Montgomery has posted a 1.73 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB over 26 frames.

Cecconi allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out two batters over five innings while taking a no-decision as the primary pitcher against Texas on Monday.

Cecconi was originally slated to start the contest, but Arizona instead opted to go with Joe Mantiply as an opener. Cecconi came on in a scoreless game in the third inning and pitched well for the next five frames, yielding just one run on an Adolis Garcia homer in the seventh. The right-hander wasn't overpowering, notching just six swinging strikes and two punchouts, but he logged his longest outing as a big-leaguer through four appearances and made another strong impression. Cecconi has a 2.93 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 15.1 frames as he makes his case to remain with the big club, though it's uncertain if the Diamondbacks will deploy him as a traditional starter or as a bulk reliever if they do keep him on the roster.

Wacha improved to 10-2 with a win over Miami on Monday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings.

In his second start since coming off the injured list Aug. 15, Wacha shut down the Marlins for five innings until Josh Bell tagged him for s solo homer in the sixth. That long ball was the only extra-base hit Wacha gave up in the outing, and he emerged with his 10th victory of the campaign. The right-hander has shown no signs of rust since rejoining the rotation, yielding just the one run over 10.1 frames while posting a 12:3 K:BB and picking up a pair of wins.

Marsh worked 5.2 innings as the primary pitcher Monday against Oakland, giving up three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out nine batters in a no-decision.

Tucker Davidson got the start for Kansas City and was followed in the second inning by Taylor Hearn, who recorded just one out. Marsh came on in relief and struck out the first two batters he faced before serving up a single run in each of the third, fifth and sixth frames. Two of those runs came on solo homers, continuing Marsh's problems with the long ball -- he's now given up 12 home runs over 43.2 innings on the campaign. Though Marsh's 5.56 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 5.2 BB/9 and 0-6 record on the season are far from inspiring, he's struck out 50 batters over 43.2 frames overall and has been better of late while mostly working behind an opener, posting a 4.12 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over his past four outings covering 19.2 frames.

Blackburn allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Monday.

Blackburn exited the contest in line for his second straight win, but a late Royals rally saddled him with a no-decision. Nonetheless, the right-hander continued his late-summer surge -- over his past six outings, he's picked up four quality starts while posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB over 36 innings. The strikeouts are particularly intriguing, as Blackburn has registered a 9.2 K/9 this season after recording a paltry 6.0 K/9 over nearly 250 innings across his first five MLB campaigns. He's not the most exciting rotation piece in fantasy, but given the improved strikeout numbers and recent run of success, Blackburn is worth at least a look for managers in need of starting pitching.

Paxton (7-4) yielded seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and three walks over four innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Houston.

Paxton gave up four runs through two innings and then served up a three-run homer in the fourth. It was a rare misstep for him this season; he'd allowed seven runs over his last four starts combined. Paxton saw his ERA climb to 3.79 with a 97:26 K:BB through 17 outings. His next start is projected to be at home against the Dodgers.