MLB Player News

Garcia (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Angels, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks over six innings with six strikeouts.

The Houston right-hander looked sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery in May 2023, tossing 79 total pitches. Garcia averaged 91.4 mph on his fastball, down 1.3 mph from his mark in 2023, but that is to be expected as the 28-year-old works his way back into game action. All three runs Garcia conceded scored on long balls in the fourth, with Zach Neto hitting a solo shot and Jo Adell cracking a two-run homer. Garcia currently lines up to make his next start at Texas this weekend.

Kikuchi (6-10) coughed up five runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings to take the loss Monday at Houston. He struck out six.

Despite generating a solid 13 whiffs out of 97 total pitches, the Japanese southpaw reached double-digit losses for the second straight season. Kikuchi allowed five or more hits of the seventh time out of his nine post-All-Star break appearances, as he's struggled with a 5.59 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 46.2 innings in the second half. Overall, the 34-year-old now sports a 3.83 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 162:66 K:BB in 159.2 total frames. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is currently scheduled to come at home against the Athletics this weekend.

Ober did not factor into the decision in Monday's 6-5 loss to the White Sox. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings with three strikeouts.

The Minnesota right-hander struggled with the long ball once again in this 69-pitch outing, coughing up two homers, upping his season total to 29. Ober gave up both round trippers in the second inning with Colson Montgomery hitting a solo shot before Chase Meidroth added a two-run blast. Given Ober's inability to keep the ball in the park (he now owns a 2.1 HR/9), it is difficult to rely upon him in fantasy. The 30-year-old will carry a 5.23 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 99:27 K:BB across 124 total innings into his next matchup, which projects to come on the road against Kansas City this weekend.

Bello (11-6) earned the win in Monday's game versus Cleveland, conceding three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The Dominican righty was not at his sharpest in this 100-pitch appearance, snapping a run of four consecutive quality outings. Bello did manage to notch his fifth win out of his last seven starts, as he's pitched to a 2.47 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB in 43.2 innings over that stretch. The 26-year-old now sports a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 112:50 K:BB across 146.2 total frames. He currently lines up to make his next start on the road against the Athletics early next week.

Messick took a no-decision in Monday's 6-4 loss at Boston, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.2 innings with two strikeouts.

The Cleveland rookie limited the Red Sox lineup to just one extra-base hit -- an Alex Bregman double in the first -- but was unable to find the magic of his first two appearances in this 82-pitch outing. Messick generated just two whiffs, as a Boston team that entered the day ranked fifth in total runs scored was too much to handle. Across 17.1 total innings, Messick now owns a 2.08 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB. The 24-year-old projects to face the Rays on the road this weekend for his next start.

Bassitt took a no-decision Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Monday represented Bassitt's first quality start since his Aug. 3 start against the Royals. The veteran right-hander has walked multiple batters in six consecutive outings, though he has fanned at least six in three straight appearances. Bassitt will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 154:46 K:BB across 156 innings into his next outing, which is slated for this weekend on the road against a Yankees team with an .803 OPS since the beginning of August.

Alvarez (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Marlins, allowing one hit and two walks in five scoreless innings. He struck out four.

It was a dazzling major-league debut for Alvarez, who kept the Marlins off balance while inducing seven groundouts. Although it was a highly promising first big-league appearance, the rookie left-hander does have a lackluster 4.10 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 114:52 K:BB over 123 innings for Triple-A Rochester in 2025. The hurler's impressive showing coupled with the injury to MacKenzie Gore (shoulder) certainly have Alvarez's fantasy stock on the rise, though a test against the Cubs at Wrigley Field awaits Alvarez this weekend.

Morton took a no-decision Monday against the Mets, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

It was Morton's shortest outing since June 7 against the Athletics, and it also was the third time he's surrendered at least five runs in his last five starts. The four walks fell one short of a season worst, and the veteran right-hander has issued multiple free passes in four straight appearances. Morton owns a 5.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB over 31 frames since joining the Tigers, which makes him difficult to trust in his next scheduled start against a hard-hitting Yankees lineup.

Manaea took a no-decision Monday against the Tigers, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk in 3.2 innings. He struck out six.

After opening his season with a 2.08 ERA through his first four starts, Manaea simply hasn't been able to get himself back on track. The veteran southpaw has yielded at least four runs in five of his last six outings, and he's still yet to pitch at least six frames in any appearance so far in 2025. Although Manaea owns a strong 59:9 K:BB over 45 innings, his 5.60 ERA makes him a risky fantasy starter for his next scheduled start against the first-place Phillies.

Cruz underwent internal brace surgery last week to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Though Cruz's procedure typically entails a shorter recovery timeline than Tommy John surgery, the Padres are likely to proceed cautiously with the 18-year-old's rehab program, which could extend through the end of the 2026 season. Signed out of Mexico for $750,000 in February 2024, Cruz made his full-season debut earlier this summer after being assigned to Lake Elsinore on July 1. Before landing on the 7-day injured list Aug. 19, Cruz made six starts for Lake Elsinore and logged a 6.97 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB in 20.2 innings.