MLB Player News

Lugo (4-6) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings in a 5-4 victory over the Giants. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander delivered his second straight quality start and 12th of the season on 94 pitches (63 strikes), and Lugo got rewarded for his efforts when Kansas City erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The win was Lugo's first since June 19, and over five starts and 27.1 innings in July he's managed a 4.94 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB. He'll look to build on his recent success in his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Minnesota.

Roupp didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits over six-plus innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The right-hander took a shutout into the seventh inning, but manager Tony Vitello left Roupp in a little too long as he surrendered a double to Vinnie Pasquantino and a homer to Salvador Perez before being lifted. Roupp had to settle for his 10th quality start of the season and his third straight in July -- over 21 innings this month he's produced a 1.29 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Brewers.

Canning will be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Kyle Hart for Thursday's contest in Atlanta, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Atlanta lineup features three left-handers in its top four spots (Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Michael Harris), so San Diego will have the left-handed Hart cover the first inning or two before the right-handed Canning takes over. Righties have posted a .628 OPS against Canning this season, while lefties have pummeled him for a .939 OPS.

Bello allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five over 5.1 scoreless relief innings in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Bello shined in bulk relief for the second time since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester earlier this month. He resurfaced with the team prior to the All-Star break and allowed one run over 4.1 innings in a win over the Yankees on July 12. Given Bello's success while following an opener this season (0.77 ERA in six outings), Boston interim manager Chad Tracy may want to keep him in that role for the stretch run rather then sending him back to the minors.

Jax (6-7) got the win Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings.

Jax needed only 83 pitches (57 strikes) to make it through six frames for his second quality start of the campaign. The right-hander appeared headed for a no-decision, but the Rays took the lead with a three-run sixth inning to secure Jax's fifth win in his last seven starts. During that stretch, the 31-year-old has given up 17 runs and struck out 39 over 37 innings, bringing his ERA to 3.89 and WHIP to 1.22 through 27 outings (16 starts) this season. A matchup with the Rangers is tentatively on deck for next week.

Kay (7-4) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Rangers on Wednesday.

Kay gave up a home run for the third straight outing, but he was otherwise good enough to get the win as the White Sox did enough damage against the Rangers' bullpen game. In July, Kay has allowed seven runs over 18.1 innings across four outings, but he's fallen short of the five-inning mark twice -- though one start was shortened by rain. He's at a 4.21 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 80:40 K:BB through 98.1 innings over 21 games (19 starts) on the season. Kay is also far and away the major-league leader in hit batsmen with 19, six more than the Mets' Nolan McLean in second place. Kay is projected to make his next start at home versus the Yankees.

Rea (7-7) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to take the loss versus the Tigers on Wednesday.

Rea gave up all four runs on a pair of long balls -- a solo shot by Spencer Torkelson in the second inning and a three-run blast by Hao-Yu Lee in the fourth. Rea has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) over 21.1 innings in July, giving up five homers in that span. For the season, the right-hander has a 4.85 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB through 105.2 innings over 21 appearances (17 starts). Rea is tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in St. Louis.

Montero (7-5) allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Wednesday.

Montero was back in the rotation for the first time since he threw seven shutout innings June 26 versus the Astros. The right-hander had moved to the bullpen for much of July, but he could take claim of a starting role once again since Jack Flaherty (forearm) went on the injured list Tuesday and Casey Mize is dealing with groin tightness and a wrist issue. For the season, Montero has been a fine option in any role, pitching to a 3.14 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 78:22 K:BB through 106 innings over 22 appearances (16 starts). Assuming Montero remains the top option to cover a starting role in Flaherty's absence, the former is lined up for a home start versus the Orioles early next week.

Ober took a no-decision Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two across four innings.

Ober dealt with a lot of traffic on the basepaths, which led to Cleveland manufacturing four runs without any extra-base hits against him. The 31-year-old threw 89 pitches, which marks his highest total since coming back from the elbow injury in early July. The righty has a 4.40 ERA,1.40 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over 14.1 frames since coming off the IL. He lines up for a matchup against Kansas City next week.

Alcantara (10-6) allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over seven-plus innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Astros.

Alcantara had limited the damage to two runs through seven frames, but he gave up three more runs on homers by Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes in the eighth. Alcantara has gone at least six frames in all four of his starts in July, allowing 10 runs over 28 innings with a 26:6 K:BB this month. For the season, the veteran right-hander has a 4.01 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 110:38 K:BB across 143.2 innings through 22 outings. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Phillies.