MLB Player News

Smyly tossed 4.2 innings against Cincinnati on Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and no walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

Smyly had pitched behind an opener in each of his two previous outings, but he returned to a traditional starting role Wednesday. The change didn't appear to benefit the left-hander, as he fell behind 5-2 after four frames and was pulled with two outs in the fifth. The Cubs eventually came back with a massive offensive outburst in the late innings to take Smyly off the hook, but that doesn't do much to soften the veteran's struggles. After pitching well for a period earlier in the campaign, Smyly has mostly fallen off the fantasy radar, posting an 8.40 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 30 innings across his past seven starts.

Cease (4-5) took the loss against Texas on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one batter over 1.2 innings.

By almost every measure, this was Cease's worst outing of the season. He logged his shortest start to date -- previously, he had completed at least four innings in each of his 22 appearances -- and tied a season-worst mark with the seven runs he allowed. Cease also recorded his lowest strikeout total of the season with the single punchout he was able to muster. The right-hander served up a two-run homer to Corey Seager in the first inning, but his demise was the second, when he allowed five runs on three singles, a double and three walks. The poor outing pushed Cease's season ERA to 4.61, which would be his worst mark since his rookie 2019 campaign.

Dunning (9-4) earned the win over the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over 7.2 innings.

Dunning was staked to a 7-0 lead after two frames and cruised from there, keeping Chicago off the scoreboard until Seby Zavala tagged him for a solo homer in the eighth. That was the only run Dunning gave up in a dominant outing during which he racked up 16 swinging strikes and a season-high 11 punchouts. This was a very positive start to August following an up-and-down July that saw the right-hander post a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB over 26.2 frames covering five starts.

Ryan (9-8) took the loss against St. Louis on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out four batters over four innings.

Ryan was hit hard by the Cardinals in the contest, as five of the nine hits against him went for extra bases, including four that left the yard. It was the second time this season that the right-hander has given up at least four homers in a game, with the other being a June 27 outing during which he served up five long balls to Atlanta. Ryan has struggled in his past two starts, giving up 11 runs and six homers over 7.2 frames. He at least struck out seven batters over 3.2 innings in his previous appearance, but his four punchouts Wednesday were his fewest since a June 10 start versus Toronto.

Gonsolin (6-4) allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Athletics.

While it was a soft matchup, it was still a positive to see Gonsolin end a three-start winless stretch. His lone mistake was a Shea Langeliers solo home run in the third inning -- that was the sixth homer Gonsolin has allowed over his last five starts. The right-hander now has a 4.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 71:35 K:BB through 87.2 innings over 17 starts. He's projected for a road start in San Diego early next week.

Cecconi allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Wednesday.

Cecconi was cruising until the fifth inning, when he gave up three baserunners and both of the runs on his line. His strikeout stuff didn't materialize in his major-league debut, but he had a 104:29 K:BB over 103 innings with Triple-A Reno prior to his call-up. He'll need a bit more leeway from manager Torey Lovullo to be in a spot to earn wins -- the rookie threw just 59 pitches (36 strikes) in this outing. The Diamondbacks have two off days next week, so Cecconi may have to settle for a bulk-relief outing if he remains in the majors.

Webb (9-9) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks.

Webb has generally done the Giants a lot of favors lately, covering at least seven innings in four of his last five starts as the team continues to get by with bullpen days frequently. He struggled early in this contest, giving up a pair of runs in the first inning before settling down. Webb is now at a 3.45 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 145:25 K:BB through 148.2 innings over 23 starts this season. He's projected for a road start versus the Angels next week.

Senga (7-6) allowed three runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Royals.

Senga threw 62 of 99 pitches for strikes, but the Royals were able to make consistent contact. Nine of their 11 hits against Senga were singles, but that was enough traffic to stick him with the loss when the Mets' offense couldn't generate a run. The right-hander is now at a 3.25 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 136:55 K:BB through 110.2 innings over 20 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Cubs next week.

Ragans (3-3) allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out eight over six shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Mets.

Ragans turned in his best outing of the year after joining the Royals' rotation. With Daniel Lynch (shoulder) shut down into mid-August, Ragans may get a chance to stick as a starter for a while. He's compiled a 4.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35:17 K:BB through 35.1 innings over 19 appearances (two starts). The 25-year-old southpaw is tentatively projected for a road start in Boston next week if he remains in the rotation.

McClanahan experienced tightness in his left forearm during Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The issue arose when the southpaw was warming up ahead of the fourth, following a third inning that saw him cough up five runs on homers by Anthony Volpe and Giancarlo Stanton. McClanahan will head back to Tampa on Thursday to be checked out by the team doctor, at which point more details regarding the severity of his injury will be available. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for the time being, but the Rays will be holding their breath that the team's ace isn't facing a lengthy absence.