MLB Player News
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Sonny Gray SP | BOS
Cardinals' Sonny Gray: Strikes out six in win
Gray (12-6) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Rays on Thursday.
Gray wasn't dominant, but this was a much better effort than his last start, when he allowed six runs over five innings in a loss to the Yankees. Gray has given up 12 runs (11 earned) across 24 innings over his four starts in August, numbers right in line with his overall performance this year. He's at a 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 161:25 K:BB in 145.1 innings through 26 starts. The right-hander has a favorable matchup coming next week, as he's projected for a home start versus the Pirates.
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Luis Gil SP | NYY
Yankees' Luis Gil: Issues five walks Thursday
Gil allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision Thursday versus the Red Sox.
Gil continues to walk too many batters, with the five free passes issued Thursday marking a season high. He was once again able to avoid getting hurt by the high number of baserunners, but his pitch count got up early and he was done at 93 pitches (52 strikes). For the season, Gil has a mediocre 4.26 ERA, but it could be worse given his 1.68 WHIP and 17:13 K:BB through 19 innings over four starts. The right-hander's next start is projected to be a favorable home matchup versus the Nationals.
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Lucas Giolito SP | SD
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Another shaky no-decision
Giolito allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Yankees on Thursday.
Giolito left the game in line for the loss, but the Red Sox were able to tie it up in the sixth inning before rallying for the win. This was the third time in six starts Giolito has fallen short of the five-inning mark. He's allowed 15 runs over 33.2 innings with a 21:14 K:BB in that span. That's not terrible, but the inconsistency is frustrating -- he's allowed just one run in three of those outings. He's now at a 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 91:37 K:BB through 111.1 innings over 20 starts this season. Giolito will look to rebound in his next start, which is tentatively projected to be a favorable road matchup in Baltimore.
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Jason Alexander SP | HOU
Astros' Jason Alexander: Strong again in fourth win
Alexander (4-1) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Orioles on Thursday.
Alexander fell short of a quality start for the first time in his four outings in August, but he still did well enough to secure his third win of the month. Dylan Beavers produced both runs for Baltimore with a solo home run in the second inning and an RBI fielder's choice in the sixth. While Alexander has had some inconsistent stretches this year, he's doing all he can to keep a spot in the Astros' rotation with his recent strong play. He's at a 4.59 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 38:19 K:BB through 49 innings over 12 appearances (seven starts) between the Astros and the Athletics in 2025. Alexander could face additional challenges for a starter role soon, as Lance McCullers (finger) is set to come of the injured list Friday while Luis Garcia (elbow) could follow sometime next week.
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Brandon Young SP | BAL
Orioles' Brandon Young: Diagnosed with hamstring issue
Young exited Thursday's start against Houston with hamstring discomfort, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Young exited in the sixth inning after suffering the injury while covering first base. He was hit hard prior to his exit, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits across 5.1 innings. It is not immediately clear if Young will miss a start or require a stint on the injured list.
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Brandon Young SP | BAL
Orioles' Brandon Young: Exits with lower body injury
Young exited Thursday's start against the Astros after suffering an apparent leg injury, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Young allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and two walks across 5.1 innings prior to his departure and is on the hook for the loss. The exact nature of the injury is unclear, though Young hurt himself while running to cover first base. He was able to walk off the field with trainers.
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Walker Buehler SP | SD
Red Sox's Walker Buehler: Could lose rotation spot
Buehler could be moved to the bullpen prior to his next scheduled start, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Buehler has struggled with his command all season, but his performance has gone even further downhill of late. He has a 6.5 BB/9 and a 1.72 WHIP across his last five starts, and he's failed to complete at least five innings three times in that span. Richard Fitts would be a candidate to take Buehler's rotation spot, as would Kyle Harrison, Payton Tolle or Connelly Early.
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Dylan Cease SP | TOR
Padres' Dylan Cease: Punches out seven in shaky outing
Cease (6-11) earned the win Thursday against the Giants, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.
Though the six hits were his most allowed since July 2 in Philadelphia, Cease produced 13 whiffs en route to fanning at least seven for the fourth time in his last five starts. The right-hander continues to offer fantasy managers plenty of strikeout upside, as he has 178 punchouts over 137.2 innings, but he's been unable to reach his top form consistently with a 4.71 ERA for the season. Cease will be aiming for better run prevention his next time out, which is slated for next week at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park against the Mariners.
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Justin Verlander SP | DET
Giants' Justin Verlander: Stumbles in 10th loss
Verlander (1-10) took the loss Thursday against the Padres, allowing seven runs on seven hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
Following a season-best outing in innings and strikeouts against the Rays on Aug. 16, Verlander surrendered a season-worst seven runs Thursday. The veteran right-hander made it through three spotless frames before the Padres got to him, and it was the sixth time this year that he couldn't last at least five innings. Verlander has a shaky 4.64 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 99:37 K:BB over 110.2 frames, and he'll remain difficult to trust from a fantasy perspective in a tough matchup against the Cubs next week.
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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Fans five in no-decision
Gore didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Mets, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
It was just the third time all season that Gore was unable to make it through five innings, and each of those instances have come following the All-Star break. The All-Star left-hander is showing signs of fatigue since the second half began, submitting a 7.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 32:18 K:BB over his last seven outings (32 innings). Things are unlikely to get much easier for Gore in next week's scheduled appearance against the Yankees, who have a robust .990 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of August.