MLB Player News

Mikolas (4-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings as the Cardinals were blanked 3-0 by the Nationals. He struck out three.

The veteran righty rebounded from a couple shaky outings to deliver his sixth quality start of the season, but he got no help from his offense as he fell to 0-4 in June. After posting a 1.89 ERA in May, Mikolas has stumbled to a 5.63 mark through 24 innings this month, but he'll try to take some momentum into his next outing, which is likely to come at home next week against the Astros.

Javier didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-8 win over the Mets, surrendering four runs on four hits and five walks over 2.1 innings. He struck out one.

It was a brutal outing for the right-hander, who needed 82 pitches (45 strikes) to record seven outs and issued a career-high five free passes, but the Houston offense quickly bailed him out. Javier's ability to keep the ball in the park has been his saving grace lately -- he has a 13:11 K:BB over his last five starts and 24.1 innings, but just a 3.70 ERA thanks to serving up only one homer during that stretch. He'll try to get back on track in his next trip to the mound, which is likely to come next week in St. Louis.

Whitlock did not factor in the decision against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out six batters over seven innings.

Whitlock was efficient in the outing, throwing 88 pitches (60 for strikes) in his second straight seven-inning start. He racked up an impressive 16 swinging strikes, though they led to a modest six punchouts. Since a rough outing against Tampa Bay on June 3, Whitlock has rebounded by posting a 3.10 ERA and 19:2 K:BB over 20.1 innings across his subsequent three starts. His next appearance tentatively lines up to come at home against Miami.

Gray allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against Boston on Wednesday.

Gray gave up a single run in each of the first, third and fifth frames and didn't come out for the sixth. He hasn't pitched into the sixth inning in any of his past three outings, though he's posted a a fine 3.86 ERA over that span. Gray has yet to give up more than three runs in a game through 15 starts this season, but he hasn't picked up a win since April 30. Since that date he's taken eight no-decisions and one loss while recording a 3.91 ERA. The right-hander has slowed down after a phenomenal beginning to the campaign, but he still ranks fourth among qualified pitchers with a 2.56 ERA overall.

Blackburn allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Blackburn was staked to an early four-run lead but couldn't hold it, giving up three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. The right-hander ended up with his fifth straight no-decision after coming off the injured list to make his season debut May 29. Blackburn notched seven strikeouts Wednesday, continuing a surprising trend that has seen him tally 30 punchouts over 25.2 innings on the campaign. Prior to this season, he had never come close to averaging a strikeout per inning, topping out at a 7.2 K/9 last year. The improved strikeout ability and Blackburn's tolerable 4.21 ERA has given him some mild fantasy value, though he's unlikely to find himself in the win column very often given Oakland's standing as one of the league's worst offensive teams.

Darvish dropped to 5-6 after allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Giants.

Darvish was done in by a rough fifth inning, which saw the Giants rally for all four runs on five hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly. It's the second start in a row where the right-hander has dropped off in the fifth -- while it's too soon to call it a pattern, it's at least something to monitor over the remainder of the first half. He's given up 14 runs across 16.1 innings in his last three starts, raising his ERA for the year to 4.84 with a 1.23 WHIP and 85:25 K:BB through 80 innings. Darvish is lined up for a road start in Pittsburgh next week.

Teheran did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two hits and four walks over five scoreless innings in a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

Teheran continued his excellent start to the 2023 season, limiting Arizona to just two hits across five innings. However, he was outdueled by Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen, who allowed just one run over seven frames and picked up his second no-decision of the season. Though Teheran set a season high with four walks Wednesday, he managed to get timely outs to hold the Diamondbacks scoreless and drop his ERA to 1.53 through six starts (35.1 innings).

Williams allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings to take a no-decision in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Athletics.

Williams had an up-and-down outing in his first appearance in the majors, beginning with two scoreless frames before surrendering four runs in the third. He bounced back to retire eight of the final nine batters he faced before being pulled with two outs in the sixth. Williams induced a moderate seven swinging strikes and fanned just four batters in the outing, which is mildly disappointing given his 11.7 K/9 in the minors this season. Nonetheless, he acquitted himself well enough to likely get another turn in the rotation with Triston McKenzie (elbow) out multiple weeks and Cal Quantrill (shoulder) not expected to begin a rehab assignment until Friday.

Castillo (4-6) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Though Castillo yielded just four hits, two of those left the yard, and he also issued four walks. The last number is particularly concerning because it comes on the heels of the season-high six walks he issued against Miami in his previous outing. Prior to the pair of wild performances, Castillo hadn't handed out more than two free passes in any of his first 13 appearances of the season. The right-hander has now lost each of his past four starts, though that's partly due to poor run support, as he's posted a respectable 3.42 ERA over that span. Castillo will look to get back in the win column -- and to exhibit better control -- in his next outing, which is tentatively lined up to come at home against Washington.

Kopech (3-6) took the loss Wednesday versus the Rangers, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings.

Kopech needed 86 pitches (46 strikes) to get through the short start. After the game, manager Pedro Grifol acknowledged that Kopech's struggles in the third and fourth innings played a part in his decision to turn to the bullpen, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. Kopech has covered 13.1 innings over his last three starts, allowing four runs in that span. He's gone five starts without a win and now has a 4.06 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 94:42 K:BB over 82 innings on the season. He's projected to make his next start on the road against the Angels.