MLB Player News

Houser came away with a no-decision in Friday's 4-1 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander tossed an inefficient 86 pitches (51 strikes) before getting lifted with Tampa Bay up 3-1, missing out on his eighth win of the season. Houser's performance so far in a Rays uniform hasn't matched what he accomplished earlier in the year with the White Sox, and through five starts for his new squad he's managed a 4.85 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB through 26 innings. He'll try to get on track in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Littell didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits over seven innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Some shaky defense, including a catcher's interference call on Jose Trevino in the third inning, helped Littell salvage a quality start -- his third in five outings for Cincinnati. The right-hander sports a 3.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB through 27.2 innings with his new club, and he'll look for his first win since Aug. 5 in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.

Atlanta reinstated Sale (ribs) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Phillies.

Sale made three rehab starts after landing on the injured list in late June with a fractured ribcage, posting a 2.53 ERA and 1.22 WHIP alongside an 11:3 K:BB through 10.2 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett. Now fully healthy, he'll be welcomed back to MLB action by the Phillies, against whom he tossed six shutout innings when he last faced them in late May. The veteran lefty reached just 77 pitches in his final rehab outing, however, so there's a chance Atlanta will limit his workload during his first start back from the IL. Nathan Wiles was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Liberatore came away with a no-decision in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Reds, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw served up two home runs, including a solo shot by Spencer Steer in the top of the sixth inning that helped chase Liberatore from the game. He's been taken deep at least once in five straight starts, and since the beginning of July he's stumbled to a 2.1 HR/9, helping to fuel a 5.77 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 26:17 K:BB in 39 innings over that stretch. Liberatore will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the A's.

Marquez (3-12) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Marquez was far from sharp in his first major-league start since July 20, surrendering at least five runs for the eighth time this season. It was the veteran right-hander's first outing this year with zero strikeouts, and he's now walked at least three in four of his past five appearances dating back to June 29. Marquez has a miserable 5.87 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 73:38 K:BB across 102.2 innings, so he won't be a recommended streaming option at hitter-friendly Coors Field against the division-rival Giants next week.

Horton (9-4) picked up the win Friday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four.

Horton pitched at least five innings for the seventh time in his last eight starts, though the six hits allowed were his most since July 9 in Minnesota. The rookie right-hander has been dealing since the All-Star break, producing a shiny 0.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 38:13 K:BB across his last 50 frames. Horton will be trying to keep the good times rolling at home against Atlanta in his next scheduled appearance.

Matthews (4-4) picked up the win Friday against the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out three.

It was Matthews' first start of at least six innings since July 25 against the Nationals, although he fanned a season-low three Friday. The 25-year-old right-hander has 70 strikeouts over 58.2 innings, but his rough 5.06 ERA and 1.48 WHIP make him a candidate to move out of the Minnesota rotation once Pablo Lopez (shoulder) comes off his rehab assignment. Matthews should get at least one more turn in the rotation, which lines up for a favorable home matchup against the last-place White Sox next week.

Cortes (2-3) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in three-plus innings. He struck out two.

It's possible Cortes would have worked deeper into the outing, but he was ejected in the middle of the fourth inning, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. It was still a poor showing by the 30-year-old left-hander, who tied a season low in punchouts and issued multiple free passes for the fifth time in seven starts in 2025. Cortes has an uninspiring 5.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB over 32 frames, though he should carry some upside in mixed leagues next week against an Orioles team with a .674 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of August.

Lugo (8-7) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out five.

Lugo's struggles during the second half of the season continued, as he's now given up at least four runs in five of his last nine starts. The veteran right-hander has also been unable to throw at least five innings on five occasions since the All-Star break, and he has a ghastly 7.51 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB over his last 44.1 frames during that period. Lugo has also issued multiple walks in all but one of his last nine outings, so he'll have plenty to clean up next week at home against the Angels.

Paddack took a no-decision Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in 3.2 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Paddack was pulled after tossing just 58 pitches, his second-fewest total of the season, and it was his shortest outing since way back on March 31 against the White Sox. Although it was also the second time this year that the 29-year-old right-hander registered zero punchouts, he at least managed to settle down after Kansas City tagged him for three runs in the first frame. Paddack has an underwhelming 5.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 30 innings since joining the Tigers, and his streaming appeal will be limited with a tough matchup against the Mets on tap for next week.