MLB Player News

Luzardo did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out three.

After fanning a career-high 13 batters in his last start, Luzardo was only able to punch out three hitters Sunday during 4.2 inefficient innings. All of the damage against Luzardo came in the third, where he allowed four hits and a walk as part of a four-run frame. The start ended an impressive run for the 25-year-old, who had allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven consecutive starts leading up to Sunday's dud. Luzardo is tentatively scheduled to take the mound next during a three-game road series against the Rangers this weekend.

Snell (8-8) allowed one unearned run on four hits and four walks over five innings Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win against Texas.

Snell has been outstanding for the last two months despite his inflating walk rate. He registered a 42:26 K:BB through 32 July innings but gave up just two earned runs. He's given up two or fewer runs in 13 straight starts, resulting in a terrific 0.73 ERA with a 108:41 K:BB through 74 frames over that span. Snell's next outing is projected to be at home against the Dodgers.

Williams (5-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings against the Mets. He struck out two.

Williams tied his season highs in earned runs allowed and walks allowed Sunday as he fell to his sixth loss of 2023. He also surrendered a solo homer to Francisco Lindor in the fourth inning, marking his eighth long ball given up in his last seven starts. During that stretch, Williams owns a 6.06 ERA and a 21:13 K:BB. The 31-year-old is projected to make his next start during a three-game road series in Cincinnati this weekend,

Verlander (6-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Nationals. He struck out five.

Verlander turned in another strong start Sunday, snaring his third consecutive win -- and the 250th of his Hall of Fame-worthy career -- while tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball. After a slow start to the season (4.50 ERA over his first nine appearances), Verlander has found his stride and is 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA across his last seven starts. Assuming the three-time Cy Young Award winner isn't dealt prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Verlander will likely toe the rubber next against the Orioles at Camden Yards this weekend.

Cecconi is the most likely internal candidate to be called up from Triple-A Reno to fill the vacant spot in the Arizona rotation after the Diamondbacks placed Tommy Henry (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Given the high asking price for starting pitching on the trade market ahead of Tuesday's deadline, the Diamondbacks may opt to use internal candidates to fill in for Henry, who will miss at least 15 days. Cecconi's overall numbers at Reno aren't exciting -- 6.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 2.0 HR/9 in 103 innings -- but the right-hander's ledger since the middle of June shows improvement in a notoriously tough environment for pitchers. He has a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s and a pair of breaking balls in his slider and curveball. Another righty, Bryce Jarvis, is also being considered for a promotion, but he pitched out of the bullpen in his last two appearances.

Maeda (2-6) was hit with the loss Sunday against the Royals after allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven in five innings.

Maeda put together another solid outing and has now registered at least seven strikeouts in four of his last five starts. He wound up with the loss after the Twins managed just one run and let in runs of his own on a homer in the second and a pair of hits in the third. Maeda has had the fortune of facing some of the league's weaker offenses over the last month, but he's certainly provided mixed-league value and will look to get back in the win column (he hasn't won since July 4) in a home start against the Diamondbacks next weekend.

Matz (2-7) tossed six shutout innings Sunday against the Cubs. He allowed just four hits and no walks while striking out two.

Matz tossed his second straight start of shutout baseball and put a stamp on an excellent month of pitching. Over five starts in July, Matz posted a 1.69 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB in 26.2 innings. Matz has allowed just one run over his last 17 innings and a home start against the Rockies this coming week should set him up for another favorable outing.

Kopech (4-10) was handed the loss Sunday against the Guardians after allowing three runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two in five innings.

Kopech had a troublesome second inning after he issued four walks to put the Guardians in front 1-0. He settled down in the second and third before allowing solo home runs to Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez in the fifth. It has been a rough handful of starts for Kopech since returning from the IL on July 14. In four starts since coming back, the 27-year-old owns a 6.30 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 12:14 K:BB in 16.1 innings. Kopech is expected to take the bump against the Guardians once again next weekend and will look to come out with a better result.

Civale (5-2) earned the win Sunday over the White Sox after tossing six shutout innings while allowing three hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Civale worked an efficient outing after needing only 81 pitches to complete six frames. He allowed five hits or less in each of his six starts in July and capped things off this month with his fourth quality start. There have been rumblings that Civale could be on the move after his recent success. He finishes July going 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB in 37.1 innings. He's tentatively lined up for another weekend start against the White Sox.

Kelly (9-5) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against Seattle.

All three runs scored against Kelly came in the first two innings, and he eventually settled in and retired the final eight batters he faced. The 34-year-old righty has given up three or fewer runs in 15 of his 18 starts this season, resulting in a 3.23 ERA over 106 frames. He's allowed four runs in two starts since returning from a month-long stint on the injured list. Kelly's next outing is projected to be in Minnesota.