MLB Player News

Anderson (5-4) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings.

Anderson got through three scoreless frames before the Astros struck for four runs in the fourth, with three coming on a Kyle Tucker homer. The left-hander then allowed four straight hitters to reach base with two outs in the fifth, three of whom came around to score. Anderson looked like he might be turning things around in his past two starts coming into Saturday, as he had allowed just three runs over 11.1 frames. However, he's been disappointing as a whole after signing with the Angels in the offseason, posting a 5.28 ERA and and 1.52 WHIP across 109 innings.

France (9-3) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over seven innings.

France was back in the rotation Saturday after a temporary move to the bullpen following his previous start. The right-hander continued to hum along, picking up his fifth win over his past five outings. Excluding an effective 3.1-inning relief appearance last Sunday against New York, France has picked up four straight quality starts, going exactly seven innings in each instance. He's given up more than three earned runs in an outing only twice over 17 appearances on the campaign, with his last such performance coming all the way back on May 29. The only knock on him from a fantasy perspective has been his below-average strikeout numbers, but France has still been a valuable rotation piece with nine victories, a 2.74 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

Walker (13-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and six walks over five innings against the Twins. He struck out two. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he would skip Walker's next scheduled start to give him some extra rest, the Associated Press reports.

Walker has given up four or more runs in three of his last six starts with a 18:14 K:BB in 30.1 innings. "Control is off, command is off, velocity is down," Thomson said. "So I think it's time to just give him a little breather." The Phillies have off days Monday and Thursday and were already running a six-man rotation, so Walker's brief shutdown won't cause any ripples on the staff.

Woodruff (2-1) earned the win over the White Sox on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

Woodruff pitched well but was stuck with the loss against Pittsburgh his last time out, which was his first appearance in nearly four months following a shoulder injury. The right-hander was solid again Saturday, though it looked like he could be in for another tough-luck defeat when the Brewers failed to score through six frames. However, Milwaukee finally broke through for a trio of runs in the top of the seventh, setting Woodruff up for his second win of the campaign. The veteran hurler threw 86 pitches in the outing, so he appears to be under only mild workload limitations. His next start is projected to be a tough road matchup against the Rangers next week.

Kirby allowed just three hits and struck out seven over nine scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Saturday.

Kirby brought his best against the American League's top team, but he came away with nothing despite the gem. He faced just 29 batters, erasing one of the three hits he surrendered on a double play. Kirby also threw 73 of 103 pitches for strikes, again showcasing his high-end control. The right-hander now has a 3.11 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 131:14 K:BB through 144.2 innings over 23 starts on the year. He's lined up for a favorable road start in Kansas City next week.

Irvin allowed two hits and a walk while striking out six over five shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.

Irvin was solid in his first start since the All-Star break. The southpaw threw 52 of 67 pitches for strikes and went toe-to-toe with Mariners starter George Kirby over the first five frames, while the Orioles' bullpen held on the rest of the way. Irvin is at a 4.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB through 53 innings over 17 appearances (nine starts) this year. With Baltimore moving to a six-man rotation for a while, it's safe to assume Irvin will get another start, tentatively set for a favorable road matchup versus his former team, the Athletics, next weekend.

Wood allowed three runs on six hits and struck out three without walking a batter over four innings Saturday versus the Rangers. He did not factor in the decision.

Wood was initially lined up for an appearance versus the Rays on Monday, but starter Alex Cobb struggled Saturday. Wood was able to spare the rest of the Giants' bullpen with the bulk-relief outing, but he'll likely be unavailable until later in the week. Through 19 outings (11 starts), Wood has a 4.92 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 58:33 K:BB over 71.1 innings, with most of his recent work coming in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. Given that the Giants have just two or three pitchers working as traditional starters at any given time, it remains difficult to predict when other pitchers like Wood will take the mound.

Cobb (6-4) allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Rangers.

Cobb's winless stretch is at six starts, and he's given up at least three runs in four of them. It's been a rough second half of the campaign so far -- Cobb had a 2.91 ERA at the All-Star break, but it's up to 3.62 with a 1.37 WHIP and 110:32 K:BB through 121.2 innings over 22 starts this season amid his current struggles. The right-hander is lined up for a difficult road start in Atlanta next week.

Heaney allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy explained after the game that Heaney was under the weather and missed his bullpen session during the week. Bochy added Heaney was on a short leash, and he quickly worked into a jam in the second inning before Grant Anderson was brought in to relieve him. This was Heaney's shortest outing since his season debut, though the extenuating circumstances shouldn't be an issue going forward. The southpaw is at a 4.17 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 119:47 K:BB through 114.1 innings over 23 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Brewers next week.

Gonsolin (8-4) allowed a run on three hits and struck out six without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Saturday over the Rockies.

Gonsolin earned his third win in a row, rebounding from allowing six runs over six innings his last start. His lone mistake Saturday was an Ezequiel Tovar solo home run on the first pitch of the game. While Gonsolin has either been sharp or shaky with little in between, it's averaged out to a pedestrian 4.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 80:36 K:BB through 99.2 innings over 19 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Marlins.