MLB Player News

Matz allowed an unearned run on two hits and struck out nine over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Sunday.

Matz was taken out of the rotation in late May and showed well as a reliever with a 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 16 innings across eight relief appearances. He carried over the success in a return to the rotation Sunday, as he was charged with only one run on an RBI single by Elvis Andrus in the third inning. Matz concludes a challenging first half with a 4.65 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 69:25 K:BB over 71.2 innings through 19 appearances (11 starts). With the rest of the Cardinals' rotation lacking consistency, Matz may have a good chance to remain a starter following the All-Star break.

Ryan (8-6) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 4.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Orioles.

Ryan gave up a solo home run to Austin Hays in the second inning and then was charged with four of the seven runs the Orioles put up in the fifth. Over his last six outings, Ryan has alternated between strong showing and poor performances. The 27-year-old right-hander finished the first half with a solid 3.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 124:18 K:BB over 107 innings through 18 starts. His first start after the All-Star break is likely to be on the road, either in Oakland or Seattle.

Freeland suffered a dislocated right shoulder in Sunday's start against the Giants, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

His non-throwing shoulder popped out and then popped back in, and Freeland was sent for X-rays after the game. It's unclear if he will be placed on the injured list or if he will be able to pitch through the injury. Freeland gave up one run through 6.1 innings before exiting Sunday.

Eflin (10-4) earned the win Sunday versus Atlanta after he allowed two runs on four hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The 29-year-old closed out the first half of the season with another strong performance, though it's just the fifth time in 17 starts that he lasted fewer than six innings. The Rays were leading 8-2 when Eflin was lifted with just 77 pitches, and the club may have been opting to limit his workload given he hasn't thrown more than 105.2 frames in a season since 2019. The right-hander is in the midst of the best year of his career with a 3.25 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 105:15 K:BB through 102.1 innings.

Elder (7-2) was charged with the loss Sunday in Tampa Bay after he gave up seven runs on six hits and four walks across 3.1 innings. He did not record any strikeouts.

The rookie right-hander generated just four swinging strikes on 69 pitches as the Rays struck for four runs in the first inning and three more in the fourth. It's the first time in 18 starts this season Elder failed to pitch at least five frames, and the seven runs allowed are also a season worst. Even with Sunday's poor showing, the 24-year-old still finished the first half of the campaign with a 2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 80:34 K:BB in 106 innings.

Nola (8-6) was charged with the loss Sunday against the Marlins after he gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and no walks across six innings. He struck out six.

It was an unceremonious close to the first half for Nola, as he surrendered three home runs in a start for the second time this season. The right-hander came into Sunday's contest having won three of his past four outings, but he's now allowed at least four earned runs in 10 of his 19 starts this year. Nola enters the All-Star break with an underwhelming 4.39 ERA though 119 innings, though his 1.11 WHIP and 120:30 K:BB provide some reason for optimism.

Gibson (9-6) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 11 across seven innings to earn the win Sunday over the Twins.

Gibson had given up 18 runs over his last 19.2 innings during a four-start winless skid. He received ample run support Sunday and did his part with an excellent performance that saw him match his season high in strikeouts. He has a 4.60 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 89:36 K:BB through 109.2 innings over 19 starts this season. He's done better at keeping the ball down this year, allowing just 10 home runs so far, though he's had some struggles allowing too many baserunners.

Rodriguez pitched three scoreless innings Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk in a planned shorter outing heading into the All-Star break, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Rodriguez struck out a career-high 12 batters over six scoreless innings earlier this week against Durham and boasted a 1.83 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 34.1 innings across his six most recent starts prior to Sunday. It would seem that he could rejoin the big-league rotation shortly after the break.

Miley (6-2) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out eight over six shutout innings to earn the win Sunday over the Reds.

Miley posted his fifth scoreless outing of the season, three of which have come in his last five starts. The strong showing lowered his ERA to 3.06 with a 1.15 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB through 67.2 innings over 13 starts this year. Miley's next start will likely be on the road, either as a rematch in Cincinnati or in Philadelphia depending on how the Brewers order their rotation following the All-Star break.

Luzardo (8-5) earned the win against the Phillies on Sunday after he allowed two runs on four hits and one walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out nine.

The left-hander blanked Philly until the fifth inning, when Edmundo Sosa launched a two-run home run. Luzardo otherwise pitched well and combined for 29 called and swinging strikes as he struck out at least eight batters for the fourth straight start. The 25-year-old posted a 3.32 ERA in 18 starts last year and nearly replicated those figures during the first half of this season with a 3.29 ERA through 19 outings.