MLB Player News

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.

Javier (9-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings Monday, striking out three and earning a win over Boston.

It wasn't Javier's cleanest outing but he looked sharper after coughing up a three-run shot in the first inning. He produced a 2.90 ERA through 14 starts to begin the year but owns an ugly 7.33 ERA over his last 10 outings. He's now sporting a 4.52 ERA with a 115:45 K:BB through 127.1 frames. Javier's next outing is lined up to be in Detroit this weekend.

Toussaint (1-6) allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks over four-plus innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Seattle.

Toussaint was tagged with five runs in the first inning and then gave up back-to-back homers without recording an out in the fifth. He's struggled horribly with his command this month, posting a 25:18 K:BB with an 8.84 ERA through 18.1 frames. His season ERA has spiked to 5.30 across 54.1 innings. Toussaint is currently projected to face the Athletics at home this weekend.

Castillo (10-7) yielded one run on five hits over seven innings Monday, striking out nine and earning a win over the White Sox.

After giving up a run in the first frame, Castillo fired six shutout innings in the dominant win. It was his first outing without issuing a walk since July 14. The veteran righty owns a terrific 58:9 K:BB in 50 innings since the All-Star break but also has a 3.78 ERA during that stretch. Castillo's season ERA dropped to 3.15 after Monday's win. His next outing is lined up to be at home against the Royals.

Nola (11-8) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings against the Giants. He struck out five.

It was a shaky start for Nola, allowing a pair of runs in his first three innings. However, he rebounded to blank the Giants over his subsequent four frames while allowing just one more hit. It was a much-needed effort from the 30-year-old Nola, who had struggled to a 6.75 ERA over his previous four starts. Overall, Nola sports a 4.49 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and 165:40 K:BB across 26 starts (160.1 innings) this season. He's lined up for a home matchup with the Cardinals in his next outing.

Greinke (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to pitch Tuesday against Oakland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals have yet to determine whether Greinke will start or enter the game after an opener, but he'll be activated Tuesday assuming he checks all of the team's boxes, per Rogers. The veteran right-hander was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 8 due to elbow soreness and had racked up a 6.94 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in his previous five outings (23.1 frames).

Woo (forearm) is scheduled to return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

As expected, Woo will be ready to rejoin the Seattle rotation after spending close to the minimum 15 days on the IL due to right forearm inflammation. The rookie didn't require a rehab assignment, as the Mariners were seemingly pleased enough with how Woo checked out during a recent 20-pitch bullpen session late last week. However, expect the Mariners to be cautious with his workload in his first game back from the IL.