MLB Player News

Houser allowed four hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Houser took advantage of a favorable matchup, and while he didn't get in the win column, he left the Rays in a strong position. He's still given up nine runs over 15.2 innings since he was dealt from the White Sox, but Saturday's performance suggests he may be getting comfortable with his new team. On the year, he's maintained a 2.67 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 84.1 innings over 14 starts. The 32-year-old is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Cardinals.

Verlander allowed two hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Rays on Saturday.

Verlander threw 63 of 88 pitches for strikes in his best start of the season. However, he didn't get the necessary run support, and the Giants' bullpen blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning. Still, Verlander has been trending in the right direction lately, allowing just seven runs (six earned) over his last five starts, posting a 28:8 K:BB in that span. For the season, he's now at a 4.23 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 95:36 K:BB through 106.1 innings across 21 starts. Verlander will have a tougher matchup in his next outing, which is tentatively projected to be on the road in San Diego.

Quantrill (4-10) took the loss against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

Quantrill was tagged for 12 hard-hit balls and managed just 11 outs, with the big blow coming on a three-run homer by Trevor Story in the third inning. The 30-year-old has now given up seven earned runs in two of three August starts, failing to get through five innings each time. He'll carry a 5.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 82:30 K:BB across 109.2 frames into a home matchup with the Blue Jays next weekend.

Bello (9-6) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Bello was extremely efficient, throwing 52 of 78 pitches for strikes while limiting damage despite giving up 10 hard-hit balls. It was a solid rebound after surrendering five runs to San Diego last Sunday, and the 26-year-old has now gone at least five innings in 14 straight starts dating back to June 3. He'll take a 3.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 97:45 K:BB over 128 innings into a road matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Bieber (elbow) threw seven scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, allowing six hits and zero walks while striking out four.

The right-hander was dominant in what will almost certainly be his final rehab start as he completes his recovery from Tommy John surgery, firing 64 of 90 pitches for strikes. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Bieber's fastball has averaged 92.5 miles per hour during his rehab stint, 1.2 mph higher than his last fully healthy campaign in 2022, when he posted a 2.88 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 198:36 K:BB over 200 innings. Acquired from the Guardians in a trade-deadline deal, Bieber is likely to make his Blue Jays debut -- and first big-league start since April 2, 2024 -- next weekend in Miami. It's not yet clear, however, whether Toronto will shift to a six-man rotation at that point, or bump one of their current starters to the bullpen to accommodate Bieber's return.

Woo (10-7) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over six innings.

Woo gave up a run in the third inning but was otherwise sharp, throwing 65 of 101 pitches for strikes while holding the Mets to just one extra-base hit. The 25-year-old notched his 18th quality start and has now worked at least six innings in all 24 of his outings. He'll carry a 3.02 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 153:28 K:BB across 152 innings into a road matchup with the Athletics next weekend.

McLean earned the win in his MLB debut in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5.1 scoreless innings.

McLean's first big-league start went about as well as the Mets could have hoped, as he fired 55 of 91 pitches for strikes while generating 11 whiffs and limiting the Mariners to four hard-hit balls. Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, McLean joined Matt Harvey as the only Mets pitchers to record eight strikeouts and a win in a scoreless debut. According to Ben Krimmel of SNY.tv, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza all but confirmed that the 24-year-old righty will get another turn through the rotation, which will likely fall next weekend in Atlanta. McLean's standing in the rotation beyond that may hinge on how he performs, as Tylor Megill (elbow) is in the midst of a rehab assignment and could displace McLean as the club's fifth starter once he's activated from the injured list.

Cavalli (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Phillies, allowing seven hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It's been a long road back to the big leagues for Cavalli after he made his debut for the Nationals in 2022 and then dealt with serious arm issues, but Saturday he looked like the potential future ace the club thought it was getting when he was selected 22nd overall in the 2020 Draft. Cavalli racked up 32 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches (63 total strikes), and he topped out at 99.7 mph on a first-inning sinker to Bryce Harper while still sitting comfortably in 97-98 mph range against the final batter he faced, Edmundo Sosa. Through three starts since his promotion in early August, the 27-year-old righty has a 2.20 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings as he stakes a claim to a 2026 rotation spot. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend in a rematch with the Phillies.

Walker (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies fell 2-0 to the Nationals, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty fired 60 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his third straight quality start, but Philadelphia's hitters couldn't solve Washington starter Cade Cavalli, giving Walker no margin for error. He appeared set to lose his rotation spot with Aaron Nola (ribs) poised to come off the IL on Sunday, but with Zack Wheeler now dealing with a blood clot in his shoulder, the Phillies will need Walker to remain in his current role. Over six outings since the All-Star break, Walker sports a 2.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 33.1 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend in a rematch with the Nats.

Lauer (8-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings in a 14-2 rout of the Rangers. He struck out four.

The southpaw tossed an inefficient 102 pitches (63 strikes), but Lauer lasted long enough to get the win and benefit from massive run support by the Blue Jays. He remains undefeated since the All-Star break, going 4-0 over his last six starts with a 2.73 ERA, but Lauer's control may be eroding -- he has an 8:7 K:BB in eight innings over his last two outings. With Shane Bieber (elbow) potentially set to make his Toronto debut next weekend, it's not clear whether Lauer will remain in the rotation, or move into a long-relief role despite his success as a starter.