MLB Player News

Wheeler (6-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Phillies fell 4-2 to the Rangers, giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander wasn't particularly sharp, needing 99 pitches (63 strikes) to record 13 outs, but he also got let down by both the Phillies' offense and the team's usual poor defense. The outing snapped a string of six straight quality starts for Wheeler, who still sports a 2.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 86:18 K:BB through 74.2 innings on the year.

Eickhoff (0-1) allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Cubs.

Eickhoff had a disastrous first outing with the Pirates. In the second inning, he allowed the first five batters he faced to reach base, which resulted in seven runs. Prior to being recalled, Eickhoff posted a 4.84 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB across 48.1 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis. He should have the chance to stick in the rotation so long as Zach Thompson (forearm) is sidelined, though Eickhoff doesn't have a recent track record of success at the big-league level.

Rodon allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters over seven innings against Atlanta on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

Rodon kept Atlanta off the scoreboard for six innings before surrendering a run in the seventh. He departed after that frame with a lead, but the Giants' bullpen blew the save in the ninth, tagging Rodon with a no-decision. The lefty hurler has been on quite a roll of late, allowing only one run while striking out 26 batters over 21 innings covering his past three starts. He ranks fifth in the majors with 101 punchouts on the campaign.

Morton took a no-decision against San Francisco on Wednesday, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out 11 batters.

Morton gave up a solo homer in each of the first and fourth innings, but he gave up only one additional hit and otherwise kept the Giants off the scoreboard. The veteran hurler racked up 14 swinging strikes and 11 punchouts but had to settle for a no-decision with opposing starter Carlos Rodon also posting an impressive outing. Morton has really picked things up in the strikeout category of late, fanning 40 batters over his past 25 frames after registering a modest 8.4 K/9 across his first 10 starts of the campaign.

Greinke (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list Friday to start the first game of this weekend's series versus the Athletics, Sarah Wexler of MLB.com reports.

Greinke allowed three runs, seven hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in 12 innings across two rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha, and it's not surprising that he's been deemed good to go. He'll still need to be officially activated from the IL prior to his start Friday, but he'll be returning to a favorable home matchup.

Baz did not factor in the decision against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings.

Baz held New York scoreless through three innings before serving up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in the fourth. The right-handed hurler began to falter in the fifth, allowing three straight hitters to reach base on a single and two walks with one out, but he struck out Judge with the bases loaded before giving way to a reliever. Baz was one out away from qualifying for the win when he was pulled, though that detail was made moot when the Yankees came back to win. After allowing five runs over 2.1 innings in his first start of the season June 11, Baz has bounced back to allow only one run across 10.2 frames while racking up 13 strikeouts in his subsequent pair of outings.

Kirby (2-2) allowed five hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Athletics.

It's the third time in nine starts this year Kirby's gone six scoreless innings, though he's yet to pitch beyond that. He received plenty of run support Wednesday, allowing him to cruise to his second win of the campaign. The rookie right-hander has posted a 3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 47:6 K:BB through 49 innings overall. He's got another favorable matchup on the horizon next week at home versus the Orioles.

Blackburn (6-3) took the loss Wednesday versus the Mariners. He allowed seven runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four in four-plus innings.

Blackburn allowed runs in each of the first three innings and then ran into a bunch of trouble in the fifth without recording an out. This was easily the worst start of the season for the right-hander, as he gave up season highs in hits and runs. Despite the stumble, he still has a 2.97 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 75.2 innings overall. Blackburn is projected to face an even tougher challenge next week in New York versus the Yankees.

Montgomery allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings against Tampa Bay on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

The Rays touched up Montgomery for two homers and three runs in the second inning, but he limited the damage to one run the rest of the way and escaped with a no-decision thanks to a late-innings New York comeback. This was arguably the left-hander's worst outing of the campaign, as he gave up a season-high four runs and notched a season-low two strikeouts. Nonetheless, he hasn't taken any losses over his past 11 starts and ranks 11th among qualified AL starters with a 2.97 ERA.

Lynch (3-7) took the loss Wednesday versus the Angels. He allowed a run on three hits and five walks with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

The season-high five walks did Lynch no favors, as his pitch count stood at 104 (55 strikes) at the end of his outing. The lone run he allowed came on a David MacKinnon sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Despite the lack of control, this was still a fairly positive outing for Lynch, who has allowed just one run in each of his last two starts. He's at a 4.95 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 65:30 K:BB through 63.2 innings overall. The southpaw is projected for a home start versus the Rangers next week.