MLB Player News

Lauer (8-5) took the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over seven innings.

Lauer allowed only one hit and didn't give up a run through five innings, but Austin Barnes and Max Muncy tagged him for solo homers in the sixth and seventh frames, respectively. That was enough to send the left-hander to his second straight loss despite the fact that he logged his third consecutive quality start. The fact that Lauer was done in by the long ball reflects his season as a whole -- he's posted a solid 3.58 ERA and 1.20 WHIP but has allowed 24 home runs, third most in the majors.

Gonsolin (15-1) earned the win over Milwaukee on Wednesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over seven scoreless innings.

Gonsolin held the Brewers without a hit until the fifth inning, and he didn't allow any baserunners to reach second base over his seven innings of work. The All-Star hurler tied a season high with eight strikeouts and picked up his fourth straight victory. Gonsolin is nearing his high mark as a professional with 123.1 innings on the campaign, but he's showing no signs of slowing down -- in fact, he's been dominant over his past three starts, allowing just one run over 18.2 innings. The right-hander is tied for the MLB lead with 15 victories, has held opponents to a league-low .169 batting average and ranks second in the National League with a 2.12 ERA.

Kopech (4-9) was tagged with the loss against Houston on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Kopech wasn't dominant in the outing -- he induced just seven swinging strikes and fanned only two batters -- but he kept Chicago in the game with his third quality start over his past four outings. However, opposing starter Framber Valdez recorded his 20th straight quality start and allowed one fewer run to send Kopech to defeat. Despite the loss, the right-hander continued a recent run of solid pitching -- he has given up three or fewer earned runs in eight of his past 10 starts. He has a poor 43:28 K:BB across 48 innings during that stretch, however, and his strikeout rate has dipped from an impressive 36.1 percent last season to a mediocre 22.4 percent during the current campaign.

Valdez (12-4) earned the win over the White Sox on Wednesday, completing seven innings and allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters.

Valdez was tagged for a pair of runs in the fourth inning, but he was otherwise able to keep Chicago off the scoreboard. The left-hander didn't have his best stuff -- he walked three batters and allowed at least one baserunner in six of his seven frames -- yet he succeeded by keeping the ball on the ground, inducing three double plays. Valdez ended up with his 20th straight quality start, tying the franchise record set by Mike Scott in 1986, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Valdez isn't the flashiest starting pitcher in fantasy, but he's undoubtedly among the most consistent.

Odorizzi (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings against the Mets. He struck out two.

Things got off to a bad start for Odorizzi on Wednesday, as Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor both clocked home runs in the first inning. The veteran then served up a home run to Brett Baty in the second and a run-scoring double in the sixth. Odorizzi has now surrendered nine runs in 13,2 innings in Atlanta and has inflated his ERA to 4.15. He will look to find his form again in his next start, which lines up against the Pirates early next week.

Eovaldi was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday at Pittsburgh due to soreness in his neck and shoulder area, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Eovaldi said he still believes he could pitch Thursday, but the Red Sox will exercise caution with the veteran right-hander. At this point, it seems likely Eovaldi will simply be skipped for one turn through the rotation, and he should be considered day-to-day for the time being. Josh Winckowski will make a spot start Thursday for Boston.

Manager Brian Snitker announced Fried (concussion) will be activated off the 7-day injured list to start Thursday against the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander landed on the shelf due to the concussion last week, and he'll rejoin the rotation after being sidelined for little more than the minimum of seven days. Fried has a 2.37 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB across 19 frames in three starts since the All-Star break, though he didn't pick up a win in any of those contests.

Marquez (6-10) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings in a 5-1 loss against the Cardinals. He struck out four.

Marquez earned the quality start, but it wasn't good enough to earn the win as he was outdueled by Jordan Montgomery. The quality start is his sixth in his last seven turns, as he's largely turned his season around after a rough first two months-plus. He will take a 5.05 ERA and 1.43 WHIP into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week against Texas.

Montgomery (3-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks over 5.2 innings against the Rockies. He struck out eight.

Montgomery was in control all night as he struck out eight and did not walk a single batter. The only damage came in the third inning when the Rockies strung together a few singles to score a run. He has now allowed just one earned run over the 16.2 innings covering his first three starts with the Cardinals, recording the win on each occasion. He next lines up to face the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday.

Ragans (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over five innings in a 7-2 loss against the Athletics. He struck out three.

The rookie was tagged for two home runs off the bat of Sean Murphy, which accounted for all three runs allowed on the night. He was able to get through five innings on just 83 pitches as he allowed just one walk, a welcome sign after he walked a combined seven over his first two starts in the big leagues. He will carry a 5.02 ERA into his next start.