MLB Player News

Wells did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the White Sox. He struck out three.

Wells served up a solo home run to Jake Burger in the second inning to open the scoring but was able to settle down and tossed three scoreless frames before getting into trouble in the sixth. The right-hander allowed four of the first five hitters to reach in the inning and was pulled after an RBI single from Eloy Jimenez extended Chicago's lead to 3-1. After tossing five scoreless innings in his first start of the year, Wells has given up seven runs over his past two outings (11.1 innings), but he did post a 9:1 K:BB during those contests.

Clevinger did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing zero runs on one hit and five walks over six innings during a 6-3 loss to the Orioles. He struck out five.

Clevinger was able to work around his control issues and minimize hard contact en route to his second scoreless outing of the season, but he lost out on an opportunity to secure a third straight win after Baltimore struck for four runs in the seventh inning off Chicago's bullpen. Through three outings (16.1 innings), Clevinger sports a 14:10 K:BB and a 2.20 ERA. His next outing is tentatively scheduled for next week's three-game set with Philadelphia.

Wacha (2-1) allowed seven runs on 11 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Milwaukee.

Wacha struggled right out of the gate, coughing up four runs on five hits in the first inning. Christian Yelich and Rowdy Tellez each drilled a solo homer against him. Wacha saw his ERA jump to 6.06 alongside a 15:5 K:BB through 16.1 frames. Aside from a strong start against Atlanta -- six shutout innings with 10 punchouts -- he's allowed 11 runs in his other two outings.

Houck did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over four innings during a 5-3 win over the Angels. He struck out six.

After retiring the first two batters of the game, Houck allowed three straight to reach with two outs, including a two-run double by Hunter Renfroe. The right-hander ended the first inning by striking out Jake Lamb and was able to work around a few baserunners en route to three scoreless frames before getting pulled. Houck failed to get through the fifth for the first time in three starts, but he did strike out a season-high six. He currently sports a 15:7 K:BB and a 4.50 ERA.

Sandoval did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and three walks over 3.2 innings in a 5-3 loss to the Red Sox. He struck out six.

Sandoval's six strikeouts were a season high, but he couldn't get through the fourth inning, as his pitch count climbed to 90 after he walked his third batter of the game with two outs. Both of the runs on his ledger were unearned due to errors from Luis Rengifo and Anthony Rendon, so his ERA dropped to 1.23 through three starts. Sandoval's next outing is tentatively scheduled for next week's four-game set versus Oakland.

Lauer (2-1) allowed one run on five hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Padres.

Milwaukee blew San Diego out with an 11-2 win and Lauer had a 4-0 lead before throwing his first pitch. He kept the Padres quiet until serving up a solo shot to Luis Campusano in the fifth frame. Lauer bounced back nicely after he was tagged for six runs in a loss to St. Louis in his last appearance. The 27-year-old is now sporting a 5.28 ERA and a 15:7 K:BB through 15.1 frames. He's lined up to take the mound in Seattle next week.

Williams gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings Friday against the Guardians. He did not factor in the decision.

Of all places, Williams' best statistical outing of the season was his start last week in Coors Field, where he struck out a season-high four and picked up his lone win. Wins will be hard to come by pitching for the rebuilding Nationals, and he lacks the strikeout upside to be an appealing streaming option on a bad team.

Quantrill gave up three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings Friday against the Nationals. He did not factor in the decision.

This was Quantrill's best start of the season, but he's still searching for his first win and he has not fanned more than three batters in a start yet. His 12 percent strikeout rate on the year would be easily a career worst -- his previous low mark was a 16.6 percent rate in 2022.

Miller struck out 11 batters over five no-hit, no-walk innings in Friday's start for Triple-A Las Vegas.

Melissa Lockard of The Athletic posited that Miller may be making his next start as part of the big-league rotation. He reached 100 mph or higher 23 times on 64 pitches, 43 of which went for strikes. Miller is one of the top pitching prospects in the minors and could be Oakland's best starting pitcher in the not-too-distant future.

Rasmussen (2-1) gave up five earned runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four in 4.1 innings Friday in Toronto. He took the loss.

After dominating a couple rebuilding clubs (Oakland and Washington) in his first two starts, Rasmussen faced a much tougher challenge against a strong Jays lineup in a hitter-friendly park and it showed in the box score. Rasmussen should still provide plenty of fantasy value over the rest of the season, but this outing showed that he's not necessarily a must-start option.