MLB Player News

Cease allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings, taking a no-decision versus the Rockies on Sunday.

Cease was in line for the loss before the White Sox rallied ahead in the eighth inning. He's failed to complete five innings twice over four starts in August, allowing 14 runs across 18.2 innings this month. For the season, Cease is at a 4.50 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 163:63 K:BB over 138 innings through 26 starts. He's projected to make his next appearance at home versus the Athletics.

Brown (9-9) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over 2.2 innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.

It was a rough day for Brown, who was charged with two runs in each of the first three innings. The 24-year-old right-hander has struggled to a 6.32 ERA over his last eight outings (37 innings). Overall, Brown's ERA is up to 4.50 with a 1.34 WHIP and 143:41 K:BB across 23 starts (128 innings) this season. If the Astros elect to return to a five-man rotation, Brown could find himself back in the bullpen.

Allen (6-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out five.

Allen started off the game with a walk followed by a two-run homer by Spencer Torkelson but then settled in to allow no more damage. He finished his start by inducing 12 consecutive outs, but the Guardians could muster only one run, which left him on the hook for his sixth loss on the season. Allen's next scheduled start is tentatively penciled in for Saturday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Rodriguez (9-6) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over 6.2 innings against the Guardians. He struck out six.

Rodriguez bounced back from allowing six runs in his previous start to dominate the Guardians. The only blemish came in the fourth when Ramon Laureano singled with two outs to drive in the lone Guardians' run. Rodriguez nearly made it through the seventh but was pulled with two outs in the inning following an infield single by Tyler Freeman. Rodriguez now holds a strong 3.03 ERA on the season with a 1.08 WHIP and 115 strikeouts in 113 innings. His next start is currently scheduled for Saturday in a home matchup with the Astros.

Houck (face) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Astros, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander has been sidelined since mid-June after being struck in the face by a comebacker and requiring surgery, but he's been cleared to rejoin Boston's rotation after a three-start rehab assignment. Houck threw 59 pitches over four scoreless innings during his final rehab start, so he'll likely have some workload limitations in his return to the big-league mound.

Liberatore will make his next start Wednesday in Pittsburgh while he gets extra time to heal up from back pain, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Liberatore had been lined up to take the hill for Monday's series opener at PNC Park, but the Cardinals will instead call up Drew Rom from Triple-A Memphis to start that day to afford the lefty some extra time to rest up and recover. According to Denton, Liberatore's back issue stems from a weightlifting session rather than from his most recent start last Wednesday, when he gave up six runs (five earned) over 4.1 innings in a loss to Oakland. Before falling flat against the last-place Athletics, Liberatore turned in the best start of his career Aug. 10, blanking the Rays over eight innings while striking out seven.

The Cardinals will recall Rom from Triple-A Memphis to start Monday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

One of three prospects acquired from the Orioles in the Aug. 1 deal that sent Jack Flaherty to Baltimore, Rom will be the first of the trio to reach the big leagues. Rom was unfazed by the move from Triple-A Norfolk in the Baltimore organization to Memphis, as he struck out 18 batters and allowed just one earned run on two hits and four walks over his two starts with the Redbirds. The Cardinals will make room in the rotation for Rom while Matthew Liberatore gets two extra days to recover from a back injury before making his next start, but whether Rom sticks with the big club beyond Monday will likely hinge on how he performs in his big-league debut. If Rom acquits himself well Monday, the Cardinals would likely be willing to open up a more permanent spot for him in the rotation.

Smyly is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The veteran left-hander was shifted to the bullpen earlier in August and covered one frame in each of his past three outings, but he'll return to the rotation Tuesday with Marcus Stroman (ribs/hip) still on the injured list. Smyly hasn't covered multiple innings since his last start Aug. 7, so he could have some workload limitations in Detroit. Even without those limitations, Smyly's 4.92 ERA in 21 starts this year makes him an undesirable fantasy option.

Winans will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Monday against the Giants, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Winans was sent down after he delivered seven scoreless innings against the Mets on Aug. 12, so Atlanta will need to put a player on the injured list in order for him to rejoin the big club so quickly. The 28-year-old has 14 strikeouts across 11.1 frames in his first taste of the big leagues this season.

Hancock was removed after two innings in his start Sunday against the Astros due to a right shoulder strain. He struck out two and gave up no runs on two hits and no walks prior to departing.

The rookie right-hander was making his third start for Seattle after covering five innings in both of his first two big-league outings and giving up six earned runs on 11 hits and three walks. He was off to a strong start Sunday before the injury prompted the Mariners to lift him from the contest after 31 pitches. Though the Mariners are set to welcome right-hander Bryan Woo (forearm) back from the injured list for their series in Chicago that begins Monday, the team had planned to keep Hancock around as part of a six-man rotation during the upcoming week. Hancock's injury probably nixes those plans.