MLB Player News

Sheehan earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over four innings.

In Sheehan's first big-league appearance out of the bullpen, he piggybacked with starter Julio Urias, who was limited to five frames due to a recent fingernail issue. Sheehan gave up a pair of solo homers but kept Oakland at arm's length, tossing 56 pitches over the game's final four innings to record a save. The rookie right-hander worked as a starter for each of his first seven big-league appearances, but Thursday's outing may be a signal that he's no longer needed in that role with the Dodgers' recent acquisitions of Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough and the looming return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder).

Urias (8-6) earned the win over Oakland on Thursday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Urias was originally slated to start Tuesday in the series opener, but the outing was pushed back due to a split nail on his pitching hand. Per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, manager Dave Roberts indicated prior to the contest that he didn't expect the left-handed hurler to go more than five frames, and that's exactly how things played out with Urias departing after five innings despite having thrown just 68 pitches. Though that kept him from notching a quality start, it didn't prevent Urias from picking up a victory to improve to 8-6. Assuming he emerges from the outing without a setback, Urias should be able to go deeper in his next outing, which tentatively lines up to come in Arizona early next week.

Gray (5-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings against the Cardinals. He struck out eight.

Gray was excellent Thursday, tallying his highest strikeout total since May 12 to earn his first win in 15 starts. The veteran right-hander has now delivered three consecutive quality starts after allowing 11 earned runs in his previous two outings (11.2 innings). Overall, Gray has a 3.18 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 123:44 K:BB across 22 starts (124.1 innings) in an up-and-down campaign. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled for next week in Detroit.

Woo pitched six innings against the Angels on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters in a no-decision.

Woo got through five scoreless frames before the Angels tagged him for two runs in the sixth. The right-hander departed in line for a tough loss but was let off the hook when Seattle rallied for four runs in the ninth. Woo got back on track in the strikeout department, fanning six batters after failing to record a punchout over five frames in his previous outing. His quality start Thursday was the third of his rookie campaign so far.

Schmidt did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings against Houston. He struck out four.

Schmidt's now gone 14 straight starts without allowing more than three runs. His last loss came June 6 -- since then, he's gone 5-0 with a 3.75 ERA across 10 starts. Overall, the 27-year-old Schmidt is 7-6 with a 4.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 103:30 K:BB across 22 starts (109.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the White Sox in his next outing.

Javier did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Yankees. He struck out four.

Javier was tagged for three runs on back-to-back homers in the first inning, though he'd ultimately settle down and blank the Yankees over his final 3.2 frames. Javier has pitched better of late, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in his last four outings after struggling to a 9.14 ERA in his prior five starts. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.39 with a 1.21 WHIP and 107:38 K:BB across 21 starts (112.2 innings) this season. Javier's currently in line for a road matchup against the Orioles in his next start.

Taillon (6-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five-plus innings.

It wasn't the breeziest outing for the right-hander, as he notched just one 1-2-3 inning and needed 92 pitches to get through five-plus frames. However, Taillon got the job done, collecting his fourth win in his past five starts to get his record to .500 for the first time this season. The veteran hurler has turned things around since a poor July 2 outing against Cleveland that pushed his season ERA to 6.93 -- over his subsequent five starts, he's posted a 2.08 ERA over 30.1 innings despite a mediocre 23:10 K:BB. Taillon will look to keep rolling in his next start, which currently lines up to be a road matchup against the Mets.

Keller (9-8) took the loss Thursday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

It was another rough outing for Keller -- he's now allowed 24 runs over his last four starts (21.2 innings). Overall, his ERA is now up to 4.35 with a 1.25 WHIP and 150:43 K:BB across 23 starts (138.2 innings) this season. Keller will look to right the ship in his next start, currently scheduled for next week against Atlanta.

Houser (4-3) earned the win Thursday, allowing a run on four hits and two walks over six innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out five.

Houser allowed a lone run in the first inning before blanking the Pirates over his final five frames. The Brewers' offense would provide more than enough run support in a 14-1 victory. It was an impressive bounce-back effort from Houser after he allowed six runs over four innings in his last outing against Atlanta. The 30-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.19 with a 1.52 WHIP and 57:25 K:BB across 13 starts (73 innings) this season. Houser's currently in line to face the Rockies at home in his next start.

Pfaadt (0-5) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over seven innings in a 1-0 loss against the Giants. He struck out seven.

Pfaadt turned in the best start of his young career, generating an absurd 31 called plus swinging strikes on just 84 pitches. The 24-year-old rookie's only blemish came on a LaMonte Wade, Jr. solo shot in the fourth inning; however, he didn't receive any run support and was saddled with the loss. In three outings since being recalled from the minors, Pfaadt has posted a 3.42 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He is currently projected for a tougher matchup against the Dodgers next week.