MLB Player News

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Thursday marked Mikolas' first start of one or zero earned runs allowed since July 25 against the Padres, and the five strikeouts were his most since July 30 versus the Marlins. It was an especially encouraging rebound performance as well, considering the veteran right-hander matched a season low with 2.2 innings his last time out in Tampa Bay. Mikolas likely benefited from a favorable spot at home Thursday against the last-place Pirates, but he could have a tougher time next week against an Athletics team with a .796 OPS since the beginning of August. For the year, he has a 5.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 86:32 K:BB through 130.1 frames.

Alexander didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rockies, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk in 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Although the three runs allowed were his most since July 24 versus the Athletics, Alexander fanned a season-high eight Thursday. The right-hander fell out one short of qualifying for a quality start, but he's now worked at least 5.1 innings in five consecutive outings. Alexander has proven to be a serviceable member of Houston's rotation, submitting a 2.96 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB over 48.2 frames since joining the Astros, though his recent rise in streaming value will likely take a hit with the Yankees looming for his next scheduled appearance.

Freeland didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Astros, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

The quality start was Freeland's 11th of the season, and he also fanned at least six for the fifth time this year. It was also the veteran southpaw's first outing with no free passes since July 30 in Cleveland. Freeland's next appearance is slated for next week at hitter-friendly Coors Field against the division-rival Giants, which means fantasy managers might want to search elsewhere for potential streaming options. Through his 11 appearances at home in 2025, Freeland has a miserable 6.36 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB.

Povich did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks across five innings. He struck out five.

It was a solid outing overall for Povich, with the only damage against him coming via a pair of solo home runs. It's certainly a step in the right direction for the left-hander, who struggled to a 5.06 ERA in four outings (21.1 innings) since rejoining the O's in early August. Povich is currently lined up to face the Padres on the road his next time out.

Crochet allowed two runs on six hits and no walks across six innings in a no-decision Thursday against Baltimore. He struck out seven.

It's the seventh quality start in eight outings for Crochet -- the left-hander's gone 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 63 strikeouts across 52 innings in that span. The 26-year-old Crochet's ERA is down to 2.40 on the season with a 1.06 WHIP and an MLB-leading 214 strikeouts through 27 starts (172.1 innings). Crochet will look to keep rolling his next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Guardians.

Montas will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Whether Montas requires Tommy John surgery might not be known until he has the operation, but a full UCL reconstruction is considered "very likely," per Heyman, which would knock Montas out until the 2027 season. The 32-year-old holds a $17 million player option for 2026 that he'll undoubtedly exercise.

The Angels reinstated Anderson from the paternity list prior to his start Thursday against the Astros.

Anderson has given up four earned runs in three of his four starts since the beginning of August and remains in search of his first win since April 18. Although he's due to face an Astros offense that has posted a .655 OPS over their last 10 games, the 35-year-old southpaw should only be viewed as a last resort for fantasy managers in search of streaming options. Jack Kochanowicz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

The Angels optioned Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The transaction comes one day after Kochanowicz was pummeled for 11 runs (10 earned) over 3.1 innings in a loss to the Rangers. The Angels will have to fill Kochanowicz's rotation spot next week, with Caden Dana among those likely to be under consideration.

The Marlins recalled Mazur from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Mazur will start Thursday's game against the Mets, taking the rotation spot of the injured Janson Junk (elbow). The right-handed Mazur has looked unready for the majors in his nine big-league starts dating back to last season, collecting a 7.32 ERA and 27:25 K:BB over 39.1 innings. Mazur could get at least a couple turns until Junk and/or Ryan Weathers (lat) are ready to rejoin the Marlins' rotation.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Pallante will make his next scheduled start Sunday in Cincinnati, John Denton of MLB.comreports.

Pallante has posted an 8.26 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB over 44.2 innings covering his last nine starts, but the Cardinals believe his underlying metrics point to better success moving forward and want the hurler work through his issues in the big-league rotation. The right-hander should not be used in fantasy leagues until he shows some improvement, particularly with a start at Great American Ball Park looming this weekend.