MLB Player News

Bello (7-5) yielded three runs on eight hits over six innings Friday, striking out five without walking a batter and earning a win over the Cubs.

Bello gave up one run through three innings before Cody Bellinger knocked a pair of solo homers against him. Since allowing five runs in his season debut April 17, Bello has yielded three or fewer runs in 14 consecutive starts. He's posted an 18:2 K:BB over his last four outings, improving to a 75:22 K:BB through 86 innings. Bello will carry a 3.14 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to come in Oakland next week.

Sanchez (0-3) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over five innings against the Padres. He struck out five.

The lefty came into this one riding high, having posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB over his first five starts for the Phillies this season (25.1 innings). He was brought down a peg Friday, though it was still a respectable showing, with all the damage being done on a pair of long balls. Sanchez has some streaming appeal, but he'll likely need to keep performing at this level in order to maintain his starting job after the trade deadline. The Phillies are in the mix for a wild-card spot and could add a starting pitcher.

Quintana (rib), whom the Mets activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, is listed as the team's probable starter for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Unless Max Scherzer's lingering neck issue prevents him from starting Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers and Quintana is pressed into action this weekend, the southpaw is slated to make his team debut against one of his former teams in the White Sox. The 34-year-old enjoyed a career renaissance between stops with the Pirates and Cardinals in 2022, pitching to a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 32 starts. Most of Quintana's underlying ratios (4.02 SIERA, 3.86 xERA, 13.3 K-BB%) painted a less rosy picture of his performance, but even a small step back in 2023 would still make him a serviceable back-end rotation arm for the Mets. Quintana built up to 4.1 innings and 78 pitches in his most recent rehab start July 8 for Triple-A Syracuse, so he's not expected to face any major workload restrictions Tuesday.

Darvish (6-6) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Phillies. He struck out nine.

The 36-year-old turned in a vintage performance in his first start of the second half, inducing 13 swinging strikes on 94 pitches. Darvish limped into the All-Star break with a 6.97 ERA over his last six starts, so this was a big step in the right direction. His peripherals are significantly better than his surface stats to this point, so positive regression figures to be ahead for Darvish.

Marsh is scheduled to start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Rays after Friday's series opener was postponed due to severe weather in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Though Marsh wasn't able to take the hill Friday with rain descending on Kauffman Stadium, he'll still end up starting the Royals' first game out of the All-Star break as originally planned. The rookie has turned in a 7.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB in nine innings through his first two big-league starts and may need to show improvement Saturday to earn additional turns through the Kansas City rotation.

Morton (10-6) allowed three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Friday, striking out four and earning a win over the White Sox.

Morton has given up one earned run or fewer in four of his last six outings, posting a terrific 1.77 ERA during that span. After going a month between wins earlier in the year, the veteran righty has been victorious in five consecutive starts. Morton will carry a 3.20 ERA into his next outing, which is currently scheduled to come at home against Arizona next week.

McClanahan (back) is slated to return from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

After landing on the IL on July 1 with mid-back tightness, McClanahan initially appeared poised to return when first eligible to start Sunday's series finale in Kansas City, but a rainout Friday nixed those plans. With a doubleheader Saturday creating a stretch of six games in five days, the Rays will call up Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Durham to take the hill for the second game of the twin bill and serve as a temporary sixth starter. As a result, McClanahan and all the other Rays' starting pitchers will be pushed back a day in the schedule. The southpaw will miss out on a more favorable matchup versus the 26-65 Royals and will instead make his return on the road against one of the majors' top offenses. On a positive note for fantasy managers, McClanahan will at least line up for two starts next week, with his second turn expected to come next weekend at home versus Baltimore.

Ashcraft (4-7) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Brewers. He struck out two.

The right-hander was efficient and kept the ball on the ground, resulting in his third straight quality start, but he was outdueled by Corbin Burnes. Ashcraft has allowed a total of three earned runs over his last three starts spanning 18.2 innings after straying from his groundball ways and battling severe gopheritis in May and June. He should be considered a volatile option given the lack of whiffs. Up next is a home start against the Giants.

Burnes (8-5) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings against the Reds. He struck out 13.

At one point Burnes stepped off the mound and was evaluated by the medical staff, but he powered through whatever was ailing him and finished with his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season. The Milwaukee bullpen completed the shutout and brought the Brewers back into a tie for first in the NL Central. Burnes, who was told by GM Matt Arnold that he will not be traded at the deadline, now has a 3.73 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 115 strikeouts in 113.1 innings this season.

Kopech (3-8) allowed four runs on a hit and four walks in only two-thirds of an inning while taking a loss against Atlanta on Friday.

Kopech was activated from the injured list to make his first start since June 27 and immediately ran into trouble. He loaded the bases with no outs before serving up a grand slam to Matt Olson. Kopech has compiled a brutal 12:20 K:BB through 13 innings over his last four starts. He saw his season ERA climb to 4.47 with a league-leading 53 walks. Assuming his shoulder wasn't an issue Friday, Kopech is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Mets next week.