MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) struck out a batter and allowed no hits and two walks over 1.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start Sunday with High-A Wilmington. He also hit a batter.

Gray returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last July and handled a light workload, tossing 34 pitches (18 strikes) before departing. He'll likely continue to get stretched out over the course of two or three more rehab starts, though he likely doesn't have enough time left in the season to get built up to handle a typical starter's workload. Even so, Gray still looks to be a candidate to return from the Nationals' 60-day injured list by the end of September to serve as a reliever or as a piggyback starter.

Ragans (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk across three innings in a rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Omaha.

Pitching in a game setting for the first time since June 5, Ragans had been expected to cover just two frames Sunday, but he ended up tacking on an extra inning to his workload after retiring six of the first seven batters he faced. Ultimately, Ragans tossed 45 pitches (34 strikes) in the rehab start, inducing 12 swings and misses while flashing a fastball that sat around 95 miles per hour. Ragans will likely need two more rehab outings to build his pitch count up to a typical starter's workload, though it's possible the Royals pull him off the minor-league assignment earlier than that if they're content with him making an abbreviated start or two in the big leagues upon his return from the 60-day injured list.

Gordon (5-6) took the loss Sunday against San Diego, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk across 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

Gordon surrendered three home runs: one in the first inning to Manny Machado, one in the second inning to Jackson Merrill and one in the fourth inning to Gavin Sheets. The outing marked Gordon's first time allowing multiple homers in a start this season and snapped an excellent stretch of play. In four starts leading up to Sunday's appearance, Gordon posted a 2.74 ERA and a 19:6 K:BB across 23 innings. He went 3-0. The 27-year-old is slated for a rematch with the Padres next weekend but will have the benefit of pitching away from Coors Field.

Cease (7-11) picked up the win Sunday against the Rockies, allowing one run on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out five.

Cease navigated Coors Field effectively, keeping the ball in the park and allowing just one extra-base hit -- a double to Orlando Arcia in the third inning. Sunday's outing snapped a streak of five consecutive outings allowing multiple runs. Cease hasn't pitched into the sixth inning in five straight appearances, and hasn't done so in eight of his last nine. Cease will carry a 4.71 ERA into his next projected start, which is scheduled to be a rematch with the Rockies next weekend.

Valdez (12-9) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts over seven innings.

Valdez seemed well on his way to a quality start before encountering trouble in the sixth inning. The left-hander struck out a pair of batters to open up the frame before yielding a single, an RBI double and a two-run home run to the next three hitters he faced, respectively. Valdez has struggled since the start of August, owning a 1-5 record, a 5.95 ERA and a 30:14 K:BB across 42.1 innings. He's on track to face Atlanta next weekend.

Corbin didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Houston, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 5.2 innings.

Corbin fell one out short of his second quality start in his last 11 appearances, getting pulled with two outs in the fifth inning after 82 pitches. The left-hander has been volatile recently, having allowed four or more runs in three of his last five starts, including Sunday's outing. He threw eight shutout innings against the Angels in the other start. He'll take a 4.36 ERA into his next start, which is slated to come against the Mets.

Sproat (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings Sunday, striking out seven and taking a loss against the Reds.

Sproat was promoted for his MLB debut Sunday and delivered a quality start. He gave up just one run through five innings before the Reds scored a pair in the sixth. He tossed 58 of his 88 pitches for strikes, but he forced only six whiffs. Sproat has a deep arsenal, led by his sinker that averaged 95.9 mph Sunday. As of now, the 24-year-old would be lined up for a home start against Texas next weekend, but it's unclear if he'll stay in the rotation.

Greene (6-4) allowed a run on one hit and two walks over seven innings Sunday, striking out 12 and earning a win over the Mets.

Greene gave up a solo homer to Brett Baty in the third inning but was otherwise untouchable in a huge win Sunday. It was Greene's longest start since April 13, and he tied his season high with 12 punchouts. He also matched his season best with 21 whiffs, including 11 with his fastball that averaged 100.2 mph. The flamethrowing righty now owns a 2.59 ERA with a 113:19 K:BB through 90.1 innings this season. Greene has produced a 2.35 ERA with a 40:5 K:BB in five appearances since returning from the injured list. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Athletics next weekend.

Fried (16-5) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Blue Jays.

Fried gave up a pair of runs in the second inning and another in the third but finished his outing with four scoreless frames. In his first three starts of August, Fried coughed up 15 runs in 15 frames. However, he's since turned in four straight quality starts and dropped his season ERA back down to 3.02. The veteran southpaw has produced a 1.67 ERA with a 22:9 across 27 frames over his last four appearances. Fried is lined up to start in Boston next weekend.

Alvarez did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings.

Alvarez limited the Cubs to one run through four innings, which came on a Carson Kelly solo shot in the second frame. Alvarez was pulled in the fifth after yielding two baserunners and was tagged for an additional run on a Seiya Suzuki RBI single. Alvarez has yielded two runs across 9.2 major-league innings this season and is slated to make his next start against the Pirates at home next weekend.