MLB Player News

Smyly (3-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks while striking out four in six innings to earn the win over the Phillies on Sunday.

Smyly settled for no-decisions in his two starts after returning from the injured list, but he earned his first win in over two months while posting his first quality start of the season Sunday. The left-hander has had mixed results since returning to the mound, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 12.1 innings over his last three outings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against San Francisco on Saturday.

Blackburn (6-6) allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Rangers.

Blackburn allowed four runs through the first four frames of Sunday's game, including three during the first inning. Things got worse from there as he gave up four runs in the fifth and was charged with two more while David McKay was on the mound. Blackburn posted a 2.26 ERA through his first 13 starts of the year, but over his last six outings, he's 0-4 with a brutal 9.40 ERA. The 28-year-old righty will look to turn things around on the road against the White Sox next week.

Bubic (2-6) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Rays.

Bubic served up a solo homer to Yandy Diaz in the third inning and an RBI sacrifice fly to Luke Raley in the sixth. The 24-year-old was 0-2 with a 3.95 ERA in five starts since his last win June 20. On the year, Bubic is sporting a 5.53 ERA with a 55:37 K:BB through 16 appearances (15 starts). He's expected to face the Yankees on the road next week.

Cobb allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings in a no-decision during Sunday's loss to the Dodgers.

Cobb allowed the first three batters to reach, but he was able to limit the damage to one run in the first inning. The Dodgers got to him for three more runs in the third, but Darin Ruf's two-run home run got Cobb off the hook in the fifth. The right-hander had completed at least six innings in three straight starts before the All-Star break, so this was a small step back. He now has a 4.26 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 74:22 K:BB through 76 innings in 15 starts overall. He's projected for a home start versus the Cubs this week.

Springs allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Royals. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

Springs returned from the injured list Sunday and showed signs of rust early. He coughed up an RBI single to Bobby Witt in the first inning followed by an RBI sacrifice fly to Nick Pratto in the second. Springs lowered his season ERA to 2.50 with a 72:15 K:BB through 68.1 frames. However, over his last four starts, he's posted a 5.30 ERA across 18.2 innings. Springs is lined up to face Cleveland at home next week.

Kershaw allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings, taking a no-decision in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Kershaw was inefficient, needing 94 pitches (60 strikes) to record 13 outs. He was relieved by Yency Almonte after allowing a game-tying, two-run home run to Darin Ruf in the fifth inning. This was only the third time Kershaw's failed to complete five frames this season, and it was also the third time he's allowed more than two runs. The 34-year-old southpaw still has a 2.49 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 81:14 K:BB through 76 innings in 13 starts. He's lined up for a road start in Colorado next weekend.

Ray (8-7) allowed six runs on 10 hits and struck out only one in three innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Astros.

Ray gave up a solo home run to each of the first two batters he faced (Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena). It didn't get better from there for the Mariners ace, as he allowed three more runs in the second inning and another in the third before he was pulled at 62 pitches. There was no report of an injury for Ray, so it's possible this was just rust after he went nine days between starts. His quality start streak ended at seven, and he now has a 3.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 136:38 K:BB through 120 innings in 20 starts. He's projected for a road start against these same Astros next week.

Valdez (9-4) earned the win Sunday over the Mariners. He allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

Valdez kept the Mariners off the board through six innings, but they were able to get to him in the seventh. The All-Star break didn't slow down the southpaw, who has now posted 16 straight quality starts. The eight strikeouts were also his second-highest total of the year. Valdez owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 110:44 K:BB through 121.2 innings in 19 starts. He's projected for a home rematch with the Mariners next weekend.

Lauer allowed four runs on six hits and three walks, striking out three in 4.1 innings of a 10-9 win Sunday over Colorado. He did not factor into the decision.

Lauer managed to hold Colorado to two runs through the first four innings but couldn't make it through the fifth after Kris Bryant smashed a two-run homer with one out. It was the 20th homer the lefty has allowed in 100.2 innings this season, 12 of which have come in his last 44 innings of work. He's managed to compile a 3.84 ERA, but peripheral stats suggest that he's been fairly lucky in his 18 starts. He'll need to figure out a way to keep the ball in the ballpark over the last two months of the season to maintain decent production. His next start will likely be next weekend in Boston.

Mikolas (7-8) took the loss Sunday in Cincinnati, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings.

All six runs against Mikolas came in the third and fourth innings. He allowed singles to three of the first four batters and, following a sacrifice fly, Joey Votto tagged him for a three-run, two-out blast in the third. In the next frame, a walk and two singles led to two more runs. It was the first time Mikolas allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 3. He's now given up six homers in his last 30.2 innings. His next start will likely be next weekend in Washington.