-
Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Throwing off mound
Greene (hip) is throwing off a mound at the Reds' training complex in Goodyear, Arizona, MLB.com reports.
Greene reached a third level of his rehab program and needs to achieve one more level before beginning a rehab assignment. The right-hander is doing a core-stability program to strengthen his hips and back to prevent future soreness. Cincinnati manager David Bell said Greene is still on track for an August return.
-
Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Scratched with side discomfort
Gausman was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Diamondbacks due to left side discomfort, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Gausman has been one of the best starters in the league this season, recording a 3.03 ERA and a career-high 32.6 percent strikeout rate in 19 starts prior to the break. Losing him for an extended period would be a big blow, but for now, the issue appears relatively minor. An MRI showed nothing of concern, so the righty is merely considered day-to-day for now. Toronto has an off day Monday, so it's possible Gausman can skip just one start and avoid the injured list. Chris Bassitt will take the hill Saturday.
-
Justin Verlander SP | DET
Mets' Justin Verlander: Can't find plate in loss
Verlander (3-5) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on two hits and six walks over five innings as the Mets fell 6-0 to the Dodgers. He struck out six.
The 40-year-old right-hander threw only 59 of 104 pitches for strikes, but Verlander still held Los Angeles off the board until finally cracking in the fifth inning. The six free passes were his most in a start since 2017, as Verlander continues to have trouble putting everything together. In eight starts since the beginning of June, he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB through 45 innings -- solid numbers, but well below his usual standards. If he stays on turn, Verlander's next start would come at home next week against the White Sox.
-
Julio Urias SP | LAD
Dodgers' Julio Urias: Dazzles to begin second half
Urias (7-5) picked up the win in Friday's 6-0 victory over the Mets, giving up one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
Facing off with three-time AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, Urias nearly unraveled in the first inning. Brandon Nimmo led off the bottom of the frame with a drive to right-center field that was initially ruled a homer, but upon review it was determined to have hit the top of the padded wall and caromed back into play. Pete Alonso then drew a two-out walk, but Urias shut the door on the rally and proceeded to baffle Mets hitters the rest of the way. The southpaw has tossed back-to-back quality starts on either side of the All-Star break, and while his numbers on the season remain disappointing, Urias could be poised for a big second half. He'll likely next take the mound in Baltimore next week.
-
Jose Berrios SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jose Berrios: Settles for no-decision Friday
Berrios didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
He tossed 61 of 90 pitches for strikes before exiting with a 2-1 lead, but Arizona tied it up in the seventh to cost the right-hander his ninth win. Berrios has been outstanding over his last 10 starts, posting a 2.37 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 53:18 K:BB through 60.2 innings, and if he stays on turn his next outing would come at home next week against the Padres.
-
Ryne Nelson SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Gets little help Friday
Nelson didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up two runs (one earned) on nine hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
The right-hander fell one out short of his sixth quality start of the season, getting lifted after 97 pitches (62 strikes), but despite the stingy outing Nelson was on the hook for his sixth loss of the year before Arizona managed to tie things up in the top of the seventh inning. Toronto then erupted for five runs in the bottom of the frame to put the game out of reach. Nelson has a mediocre 4.46 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 42.1 innings since the beginning of June, and his rotation spot could be in jeopardy if the Diamondbacks get aggressive at the trade deadline.
-
Dean Kremer SP | MIN
Orioles' Dean Kremer: Sharp in win No. 10
Kremer (10-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings in a 5-2 victory over the Marlins. He struck out eight.
The right-hander generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 97 pitches en route to his ninth quality start of the year. Kremer has had some issues keeping the ball in the park lately, but that's been the only thing standing between him and a true breakout. In eight starts since the beginning of June he's posted a 4.60 ERA and 2.2 HR/9, but also a 1.18 WHIP and 52:10 K:BB through 45 innings. He lines up for a tough test in his next outing, which is likely to come at home next week against the Dodgers.
-
Sandy Alcantara SP | MIA
Marlins' Sandy Alcantara: Stuck with loss in quality start
Alcantara (3-8) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk over six innings as the Marlins were downed 5-2 by the Orioles. He struck out five.
For the first time this season, Alcantara delivered back-to-back quality starts. but Miami couldn't provide him with enough run support to get the right-hander into the win column. The team continues to keep a close eye on Alcantara's workload -- it's been nearly two months since he tossed 100 or more pitches in a start, but that hasn't resulted in significantly better numbers, as he has a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB in 63.1 innings in those 10 outings. His next trip to the mound lines up for a series in St. Louis next week.
-
Luis Castillo SP | CHW
Mariners' Luis Castillo: Takes seventh loss
Castillo (6-7) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on four hits over five innings against the Tigers. He struck out five.
Castillo is unlucky to have a losing record this year, as he's posted some of the best pitching stats in the league so far this year. The right-hander's 1.03 WHIP ranks sixth in MLB and would be a career-best mark if the season ended today. The veteran's next start is tentatively slated to be against the Twins on Wednesday.
-
Eduardo Rodriguez SP | ARI
Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez: Earns fifth win
Rodriguez (5-5) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings in a 5-4 victory over the Mariners. He struck out seven.
Rodriguez rebounded after losing three of his previous four starts. The former Red Sox pitcher still has good numbers despite some recent bumps in the road, posting career lows in ERA (2.70) and WHIP (1.00) so far. His next start is tentatively slated to be against the Royals on Wednesday.