MLB Player News

Gordon (2-4) allowed seven runs on 11 hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 2.2 innings to take the loss against Toronto on Monday.

Gordon struggled from the outset, giving up a run on three hits in the first inning. That frame was just the beginning of a rough outing for the right-hander; he gave up another run in the second and then had the bottom fall out in the third, when Toronto tagged him for six hits (three of which went for extra bases) while putting five more runs on his ledger. Gordon unsurprisingly didn't survive that inning, as he was pulled with two outs after 67 pitches. Gordon posted a respectable 3.13 ERA through his first four MLB appearances this season, but that number has ballooned to 6.59 following back-to back ugly starts during which he's surrendered a combined 14 runs (13 earned) across just 5.2 frames.

Lauer (7-2) earned the win over Colorado on Monday, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.

Toronto's offense put up nine runs through three innings, taking the stress off Lauer as he cruised through six one-run frames. The left-hander threw 64 of 97 pitches for strikes and notched 13 whiffs while finishing with his fourth quality start over his past six outings. Lauer hasn't given up more than two runs in any start and has posted a 2.57 ERA with a superb 34:4 K:BB across 35 frames over that six-game span. He's next lined up for a road start against the Dodgers this weekend.

Pfaadt (11-7) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Padres on Monday.

Pfaadt was effective at limiting the damage, bouncing back after giving up three home runs in a seven-run meltdown versus the Tigers in his last start. While he kept the ball in the yard this time, the three walks matched his season high, which he's now done three times. The right-hander has a 5.02 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 102:28 K:BB through 122 innings over 23 starts this season. He's still prone to the occasional disaster outing, but he's been fairly steady since mid-June. Pfaadt's next start is projected to be at home versus the Rockies this weekend.

Sears (7-10) allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings to take the loss versus the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Sears' debut for the Padres wasn't pretty, as the Diamondbacks were able to plate at least one run in each of the first four innings. The southpaw has allowed 19 runs (17 earned) across his last five starts (23.1 innings). Overall, he has a 5.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 101:30 K:BB through 116 innings across 23 starts between the Athletics and Padres. Sears' first home outing for the Padres is expected to be this weekend against the Red Sox.

Bello (8-5) earned the win against the Royals on Monday, allowing one unearned run on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings.

Bello allowed a run after an error opened the fourth inning but was otherwise strong, throwing 68 of 102 pitches for strikes and working five scoreless frames. The 26-year-old has delivered 10 quality starts in his past 11 outings and has allowed more than three earned runs just once in 20 appearances (19 starts) this season. He'll take a 3.03 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 88:42 K:BB across 116 innings into a road matchup with the Padres this weekend.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Monday's 3-2 loss that Soroka (shoulder) is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The club is presumably still in the process of running more tests on Soroka's shoulder, but the right-hander's injury is considered significant enough that he'll need to be shelved for at least two weeks. Acquired from the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline, Soroka lasted just two innings in his Cubs debut, striking out three while giving up one earned run on one hit and one walk before exiting with shoulder discomfort. Ben Brown tossed four innings of one-run ball in long relief and is likely the leading candidate to replace Soroka in the rotation.

Falter (7-6) took the loss against the Red Sox on Monday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts over four innings.

Falter was mostly undone by a five-run first inning and managed just one scoreless frame in a lackluster debut with his new club. The southpaw generated only six whiffs on 88 pitches, though a Jarren Duran homer was the lone extra-base hit he allowed. He owns a 4.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 72:41 K:BB across 117.1 innings and is tentatively slated for a home matchup with the Nationals early next week.

Brown allowed one run on two hits across four innings of relief in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds. He struck out five.

The newly acquired Michael Soroka made the start for the Cubs, but he only lasted two innings in his team debut before departing due to right shoulder discomfort. Brown was then thrust into action, and the young righty responded with one of his best performances over the past few months. Soroka had seemingly pushed Brown out of the rotation upon his arrival in Chicago, but it remains to be seen if the former has to miss any extended time. If he does, Brown and his 6.04 ERA could be back in a starting role at least temporarily, though the Cubs do also have Jameson Taillon (calf) likely returning from the injured list in the near future.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision Monday against Cleveland, allowing five runs on seven hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Manaea was cruising along through five shutout frames but came apart in the sixth inning, when Cleveland brought in five runs. The veteran southpaw set a season high in both runs and hits allowed, though it was at least somewhat encouraging to see him pitch a season-high 5.2 innings in his fifth start of the year. Manaea's season ERA soared from 2.08 to 3.52 on Monday, and he now holds a 0.96 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 23 innings. His next outing is slated for this weekend against the Brewers, who boast a .799 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

Cecconi didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Mets, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out six.

Cecconi blanked the Mets through five scoreless frames to begin his outing, but a Pete Alonso three-run homer in the sixth inning left a considerable dent on the hurler's ledger. The right-hander settled for a quality start, his fifth in his last six appearances, and he's now tossed at least five innings in all but two of his 14 starts on the year. Cecconi owns a quality 3.72 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 69:23 K:BB over 82.1 innings, and he should carry plenty of streaming appeal this weekend on the road against the last-place White Sox.