MLB Player News

Manoah (10-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings in an 8-1 victory over the Royals. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander did plunk two batters, but Manoah otherwise dominated as he piled up 17 swinging strikes among his 86 pitches. The quality start was his 15th in 18 trips to the mound -- tying him with Sandy Alcantara for second in the majors behind Framber Valdez's 16 -- and Manoah will take a 2.28 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 103:25 K:BB through 114.2 innings into what will probably be the first of many All-Star Game appearances for the 24-year-old.

Greinke (3-6) took the loss Friday as the Royals were toppled 8-1 by the Blue Jays, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out three.

The 38-year-old righty is now less than 150 strikeouts away from 3,000 for his career, but that was about the only positive takeaway from Friday's outing as Greinke got the hook after 83 pitches (49 strikes). He'll carry a 4.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB through 77.2 innings on the year into the All-Star break.

Coebin (4-12) took the loss Friday, surrendering six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks over five innings as the Nationals were downed 8-4 by Atlanta. He struck out eight.

Two of the hits off Corbin left the yard, the sixth time in his last 12 starts the veteran lefty has served up multiple homers. Corbin carries a rough 5.78 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 60:18 K:BB through 67 innings over that stretch, but unless Washington can find a taker for his bloated contract by the trade deadline, his spot in the Nats' rotation seems secure.

Whitlock struck out three over two scoreless innings in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees.

Whitlock, making his first appearance after being activated off the injured list, held Boston's one-run lead by setting down the side in order over the seventh and eighth innings. He had been a starter before hitting the IL, but Whitlock will serve a multi-inning relief role that could involve save opportunities. Closer Tanner Houck eventually blew the save Friday, but he's pitched well otherwise while stabilizing Boston's ninth-inning relief issues.

Groome allowed five hits and three walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Groome picked up the win in his first-ever start at the Triple-A level following Thursday's promotion from Double-A Portland. The left-hander fanned the side in the first inning and worked around traffic in four of his six innings. A 2016 first-round draft pick, Groome's rise through the minors was stalled by Tommy John elbow surgery in 2018 and the wiped-out 2020 season due to the pandemic.

Anderson (8-5) picked up the win in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Nationals, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander wasn't particularly efficient, tossing 60 of 101 pitches for strikes, but Atlanta handed Anderson a 3-0 lead before he set foot on the mound and he never let Washington get close. He's failed to last six innings in five straight starts, but he hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his last three. Anderson will carry a 4.79 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 79:45 K:BB through 92 innings into the All-Star break.

Montgomery didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw was effective, tossing 68 of 93 pitches for strikes in his eighth quality start of the season and first since June 17, but he left the game with the score tied 3-3. He's gone five starts without a win. On the season, Montgomery sports a 3.26 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 80:19 K:BB through 102 innings.

Houck (5-3) recorded the win in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings victory over the Yankees after blowing his first save of the season, allowing an unearned run on two hits and two walks over two innings. He also hit a batter with a pitch and didn't get a strikeout.

Entrusted with a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning, Houck put the first two batters of the inning aboard before throwing the ball wide of third base on what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, allowing Gleyber Torres to score the tying run. The right-hander avoided any more damage thanks to double plays in the ninth and 10th, however, and he was still the pitcher of record when Boston scored in the top of the 11th. Houck hasn't picked up a save since June 25, but for now he still appears to be manager Alex Cora's first choice to close out games.

Eovaldi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Making his first start after returning from a five-week absence due to lower back inflammation, Eovaldi looked a bit rusty and managed only nine swinging strikes among his 78 pitches. The right-hander will take a 3.34 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 76:12 K:BB through 72.2 innings into the All-Star break, but his 4.59 FIP and 2.11 HR/9 suggest he could be headed for a bumpier second half.

Alcantara (9-4) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were downed 2-1 by the Phillies, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over eight innings. He struck out 12.

The right-hander delivered his usual throwback performance, lasting at least seven innings for an incredible 13th straight start on an efficient 106 pitches (75 strikes), and Alcantara took a shutout into the seventh inning before finally stumbling. Unfortunately, the Miami offense gave him almost no support. Alcantara boasts a 1.31 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 92:17 K:BB through 102.2 innings over that 13-outing stretch as he heads into his second All-Star Game appearance, and potentially the start for the NL squad.