MLB Player News
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Jack Kochanowicz SP | LAA
Angels' Jack Kochanowicz: Quick exit in no-decision
Kochanowicz allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Nationals on Sunday.
Kochanowicz was pulled at 63 pitches (37 strikes) after running into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. Interim manager Ray Montgomery has shown no hesitation to pull starters if they begin to fade in the middle innings -- since he took over managerial duties June 20 due to Ron Washington's health-related absence, only three of nine starting pitchers have exceeded 90 pitches. That shortens an already limited runway for Kochanowicz, who pitched into the sixth inning just once in six June starts. He allowed 18 runs over 25.2 innings while adding a 21:11 K:BB this month, so his outings are likely to continue being short unless he turns a corner with his performance. Overall, he has a 5.44 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 61:40 K:BB through 86 innings over 17 starts this season. Kochanowicz's next start is expected to be in Toronto.
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Frankie Montas RP | NYM
Mets' Frankie Montas: Crushed by Pirates
Montas (0-1) yielded six runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against Pittsburgh.
Montas stumbled out of the gate Sunday, coughing up five runs in the first inning, all with two outs. He gave up back-to-back homers to Oneil Cruz and Tommy Pham during that frame. Montas allowed another run in the second before ending his outing with two scoreless frames. On the bright side, he racked up 17 whiffs on 86 total pitches, including six with his splitter and five with his fastball, which averaged 95 mph. Montas is lined up for a home matchup against his former team, the Yankees, next weekend.
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Carmen Mlodzinski RP | PIT
Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Earns win in relief
Mlodzinski (2-5) allowed two hits over 3.2 scoreless innings of relief against the Mets on Sunday. He struck out two and earned the win.
Mlodzinski took on a bulk-relief role in the blowout victory after Mike Burrows and Genesis Cabrera combined to allow one run over 5.1 frames. Mlodzinski threw 35 of 54 pitches for strikes and secured his first win since April 7. Since returning from Triple-A Indianapolis to join the big club's bullpen, he's produced a 3.09 ERA across 11.2 innings. For the year, Mlodzinski owns a 5.08 ERA with a 36:16 K:BB in 51.1 frames.
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Michael Burrows SP | HOU
Pirates' Mike Burrows: Fans five in no-decision
Burrows did not factor in the decision during Sunday's win against the Mets. He allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings.
Burrows got the start Sunday on short rest after making a multi-inning relief appearance against Milwaukee on Wednesday. While he did not qualify for the win, he was sharp, with the lone blemish on his outing being Luis Torrens' solo shot in the fifth inning. Burrows dropped his ERA to 4.15 with a 35:10 K:BB through 34.2 innings this season. He's currently slated to start in Seattle next weekend.
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Luis Castillo SP | SEA
Mariners' Luis Castillo: Solid in no-decision
Castillo didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Texas, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.
Castillo pulled himself out of a rough patch Sunday, snaring a quality start and not allowing a home run. The 32-year-old had allowed 16 runs (14 earned) in 22 innings over his previous four starts. He gave up eight home runs during that stretch after having yielded merely four round trippers in his first 12 starts. On the year, Castillo owns a 3.55 ERA, and he's scheduled to face the Pirates next time out.
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Jack Leiter P | TEX
Rangers' Jack Leiter: Gets back on track
Leiter didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Seattle, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out seven.
Leiter posted his first quality start in seven appearances, completing at least six frames for just the third time this season. The 25-year-old will end June on a high note after allowing 13 runs with a 9:8 K:BB in 13.2 innings during his past three outings. He took a loss in all three appearances. Leiter will take a 4.29 ERA into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come in San Diego next weekend.
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Justin Verlander SP | DET
Giants' Justin Verlander: Logs quality start
Verlander didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out three.
Verlander notched his fifth quality start of the campaign, snapping a streak of three straight starts without pitching into the sixth frame. The only damage against Verlander came in the first inning, when Andrew Benintendi plated Mike Tauchman on a sacrifice fly. The 42-year-old righty owns a decent 4.26 ERA to pair with a 55:25 K:BB over 67.2 innings this season. However, he's the only pitcher in baseball with at least 10 starts who doesn't have a win.
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Mike Vasil P | CHW
White Sox's Mike Vasil: Grabs five-out save
Vasil picked up the save Sunday against the Giants, allowing one walk and no hits with one strikeout over 1.2 scoreless innings.
Vasil has been a multi-inning option for the White Sox recently, going at least three innings in each of his last seven appearances (three starts). However, he got the ball in a high-leverage scenario Sunday, taking over for Tyler Gilbert in the eighth inning with one out and the bases loaded. Vasil induced a double play to escape from the jam and then shut the door on the Giants in the ninth frame for his second save of the campaign. Vasil's been one of the White Sox's most reliable arms this season, holding a 2.73 ERA over 56 innings.
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Jonathan Cannon P | CHW
White Sox's Jonathan Cannon: Goes three innings in return
Cannon didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out four.
A lower-back strain kept Cannon on the shelf for over three weeks, and the 24-year-old was on a pitch count Sunday in his first start back. He threw just 69 pitches. Cannon has struggled with control this season, having walked three or more batters in six of his 13 appearances. He'll take a 4.59 ERA and a 55:24 K:BB through 66.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come next weekend at Coors Field.
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Jameson Taillon SP | CHC
Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Labors in loss
Taillon (7-6) took the loss Sunday against Houston, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Taillon couldn't complete five innings Sunday, as the Astros worked him up to 107 pitches before a two-run home run by Jose Altuve prompted manager Craig Counsell to pull Taillon. Taillon has surrendered six home runs in his last three starts, going 0-3 with a 10.66 ERA and nine strikeouts over 12.2 innings during that stretch. He'll look to get back on track against the Cardinals next weekend.