MLB Player News

Schmidt (5-3) took the loss Sunday versus the Athletics. He allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Schmidt surrendered a pair of runs in each of the first and third innings, and the Yankees' offense couldn't cover the damage. This was Schmidt's second start of the year and his first June 16. It was also the right-hander's longest major-league outing of the season. Through 37.1 innings with the Yankees, he's posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 36:19 K:BB in 18 appearances, mainly as a long reliever. He's made all eight of his minor-league appearances this year as a starter, and he may get another turn in the rotation with Nestor Cortes (groin) on the injured list. If that happens, Schmidt is tentatively projected for a road start versus the Rays next weekend.

Civale (2-6) took the loss Sunday against the Mariners, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over 6.1 innings.

Civale limited the damage well, but two of the Mariners' four hits were home runs. Dylan Moore hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, and Ty France added a solo shot in the seventh. The Guardians managed to put only three runners in scoring position all game, giving Civale no help in the loss. This was the right-hander's longest start in his last four turns through the rotation, but the four runs he allowed matched the total he gave up in his last three starts combined. For the season, he has a 5.40 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 75:20 K:BB through 75 innings across 16 starts overall. Civale is lined up for a rematch against the Mariners at home next weekend.

Ray (11-8) allowed three hits and struck out seven without walking a batter across seven shutout innings to earn the win over the Guardians on Sunday.

Ray closed out a fantastic August with his fifth straight quality start, and this one was his best of the bunch. He posted a 1.64 ERA and 41:11 K:BB through 33 innings across those five starts, and he's won three in a row. The sharp month lowered Ray's season ERA to 3.58 with a 1.14 WHIP and 180:53 K:BB through 155.2 innings across 26 starts. He's lined up for a rematch with the Guardians in Cleveland next weekend.

Arihara (1-2) took the loss Sunday against Detroit, allowing six runs on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three in 3.1 innings.

Coming off his best start in the majors, Arihara was ineffective Sunday and allowed 11 of the 21 batters he faced to reach safely. Jeimer Candelario blasted a three-run shot in the second, Arihara walked in a run in the third and two more runners crossed home in the fourth. The 30-year-old has hit a batter in each of his three starts for Texas and has a 5.40 ERA and 1.67 WHIP through 15 innings. Should he continue in the rotation, his next start will likely be next weekend in Boston.

Contreras (4-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing no runs on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five innings against the Phillies.

The 22-year-old was effective once again for Pittsburgh as he held Philadelphia scoreless on 89 pitches through five innings. This was his fourth effort with more than a strikeout per inning since June 4 as he is putting all the pieces together. He will take a 3.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP into his next start.

Syndergaard (3-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out five.

After getting off to a rough start in the first inning on a few base hits, Syndergaard settled in before giving up a run on a triple and sacrifice bunt in the fourth. The Pirates then tagged Thor for three runs on four hits to chase him in the sixth inning. The nine hits allowed were his second highest total of the season and helped push his WHIP up to 1.26. He lines up to take on the Giants in San Francisco in his next start.

Stripling (6-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings against the Angels. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

All the damage came via the long ball as Stripling surrendered a two-run shot off the bat of Luis Rengifo in the third inning and a solo homer to Kurt Suzuki in the fourth. The 32-year-old was able to finish six innings despite the home runs en route to his third consecutive quality start. He has had a career year as his 2.94 ERA would be the best of his seven-year career. He next lines up to face Pittsburgh next weekend.

Matz (knee) is scheduled to throw two more bullpen sessions during the upcoming week before potentially advancing to facing hitters, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz's fastball topped out at 89 miles per hour in his most recent side session Saturday, so his main focus this week will be increasing the intensity of his throwing and upping the velocity as he works his way back from an MCL sprain in his left knee. The southpaw still appears on track to return from the 15-day injured list before season's end, but if he does, he'll be deployed as a reliever.

Marquez (7-10) earned the win Sunday, throwing seven shutout innings against the Mets. He walked two and struck out five.

Marquez outdueled Max Scherzer as he held a strong Mets lineup to just three baserunners all afternoon to earn his seventh win. His season-long numbers still leave much to be desired, as the scoreless effort was just his second to date. However, Sunday's start was his 10th straight of six or more innings, seven of which have been quality starts. He could be valuable for fantasy managers seeking pitching down the stretch, especially on the road, where he had a 4.11 ERA entering Sunday compared to a 6.09 mark at Coors Field.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Flaherty (shoulder) will make a fifth rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Though Flaherty appeared poised to return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week after covering 5.1 innings and tossing 85 pitches in his most recent rehab start Friday, the Cardinals' brass determined that the right-hander would benefit from having one final tune-up outing in the minors. Assuming Flaherty escapes Wednesday's start unscathed, Marmol said that the 26-year-old will likely make his return to the big-league rotation Sept. 5 against the Nationals. If the Cardinals elect to maintain a five-man rotation upon Flaherty's return, Dakota Hudson would be the starter most at risk of moving to the bullpen.