MLB Player News

Elder (8-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Pirates. He struck out five.

Elder began struggling in the bottom of the third, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk while also hitting Josh Palacios with a pitch. The right-hander managed to avoid any further damage over the next two frames but was again victimized by the Pirates' offense in the sixth before being relieved by Joe Jimenez. It was the fourth time in his last six starts that Elder allowed at least five runs, and he's now lost three of his last four decisions. He's surrendered 10 runs and 13 hits over 9.1 innings to open the month of August.

Kremer (11-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings against the Astros while striking out five.

Kremer managed to limit a dangerous Houston offense to just two runs over seven innings, with both of those runs coming off solo homers. The right-hander allowed at least one hit in five of those innings, but he did a good job of pitching his way out of jams for most of the afternoon. Kremer has now allowed three or fewer runs in four consecutive starts and two runs or fewer in five of his last seven. However, he's also issued at least two walks in six straight, registering a 28:16 K:BB over that stretch.

Brown (8-8) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on eight hits over six innings against Baltimore. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

It wasn't a good start for Brown, as he gave up a solo home run to Adley Rutschman to open the top of the first inning. The right-hander then allowed runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings, marking the fourth time this season he's allowed at least five runs in a start. Brown has lost five of his last seven decisions and has surrendered at least two home runs in two straight starts. He has, however, still managed to go six innings in each of his last four outings.

Corbin did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and seven walks over five innings against Philadelphia. He struck out two.

Corbin turned in quite the interesting statline Thursday, allowing one hit -- a double -- through five scoreless innings on the mound, but he issued a season-high seven walks, throwing just 44 of 87 pitches for strikes. The 34-year-old lefty started the sixth inning, but he was removed after committing an error, and Nationals reliever Andres Machado immediately served up a two-run homer to Trea Turner, accounting for Corbin's sole run, albeit unearned. In five outings since the All-Star break, Corbin has a 4.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 28.2 innings during that stretch. He currently lines up to face Boston in his next outing.

Kershaw allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Thursday.

Kershaw made his return from the injured list after missing about six weeks due to left shoulder inflammation. The legendary southpaw looked good in his return, limiting the Rockies to one run on an Elehuris Montero solo shot in the fifth inning. Kershaw tossed 45 of 67 pitches for strikes and lowered his season ERA to 2.51. The Dodgers figure to allow Kershaw to ease back into things with an eye toward the postseason, though the future Hall of Famer has long had a knack for going deep into games without racking up a ton of pitches.

Marsh (0-6) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Marsh worked in a bulk-relief role Thursday, coming in to start the fourth inning and finishing off the contest. The right-hander pitched decently but couldn't escape the loss column, and he's now been charged with the defeat six times through eight major-league outings. Marsh gained some fantasy intrigue after striking out 11 batters over six frames against Tampa Bay on July 15, but since then he's tallied just 14 punchouts across 18 innings and isn't a viable asset in most formats.

Paxton (7-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Paxton gave up three homers and four runs over five innings against Toronto in his previous start, but he rebounded with a strong effort Thursday. Though he needed 98 pitches to get through 5.1 frames, the left-hander kept the Royals off the scoreboard and didn't issue a walk for just the second time in 15 starts this season. Paxton continues to enjoy a career resurgence at age 34 -- through 80.1 innings, he's posted a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 90:22 K:BB.

Liberatore (2-4) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Thursday, pitching eight scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out seven batters.

Liberatore had a 6.93 ERA coming into the contest, but he stifled the Rays' offense in the best start of his big-league career. The southpaw completed eight innings for the first time as a major-leaguer and allowed just two hits, both of which were singles. Liberatore has struggled thus far to get batters out at the highest level, so it remains to be seen if Thursday's gem will be a turning point. He's lined up for a prime matchup at home against Oakland in his next start.

The Dodgers reinstated Kershaw (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw has been on the IL since July 3 due to inflammation in his left shoulder. The 35-year-old lefty put up an incredible 1.09 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 33 innings across his last five starts before getting injured, though it's possible Kershaw shows a little bit of rust after not pitching in over a month. Victor Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Maeda (3-7) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

The veteran righty induced just eight swinging strikes on 89 pitches, but he was able to keep Detroit off the board until Riley Greene obliterated a hanging slider in the sixth inning, sending it 453 feet to right field for a solo home run. That bomb proved to be the difference, as Minnesota's offense was shut out for the second time in three days. After a brutal start to the season, Maeda has been steady in his nine outings since returning from injury June 23, posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.23 K/9 across 49.2 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Tigers again next week.