MLB Player News

Gore didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Giants. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out four.

Gore was going through a rough patch before this outing, allowing at least three earned runs in three consecutive starts and in six of his last seven, but he bounced back admirably in this one, at least in terms of run prevention. Gore owns a 4.18 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break, but that figure is lower than his season-long 4.55 ERA, which is a career-worst mark for the five-year veteran.

Leiter (ankle) threw two innings of live batting practice Monday, MLB.com reports.

Leiter threw 25 pitches in his return to mound work. The Rangers hope he can return before the end of the season.

Kikuchi (shoulder) yielded six earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four batters across 1.2 innings Tuesday in a rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Kikuchi has struggled mightily through his first two rehab starts since kicking off his assignment at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last Thursday. Between those appearances, the veteran southpaw has posted a 9:5 K:BB while giving up 12 runs (10 earned) on nine hits -- including three home runs -- across 4.2 innings. Given that Kikuchi been on the shelf since May 3 due to left shoulder inflammation, it's not overly surprising that he's looked rusty in his return to game action. He'll need to iron out his command and control while continuing to build up his pitch count in future minor-league outings before rejoining the Angels rotation.

Wesneski (2-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Blue Jays after tossing six innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four. He also tossed a wild pitch.

Wesneski delivered a strong outing to strengthen his case for a spot in the rotation over the final two months of the regular season. With Spencer Arrighetti (foot) shipped to Toronto and Tatsuya Imai moving to the bullpen, all signs point to Wesneski remaining as a starter. Wesneski has made just two starts this season since returning from Tommy John surgery and the numbers are decent, as he's allowed five runs on 11 hits and four walks while striking out eight, tossing two wild pitches and hitting a batter. He has won both starts and owns a 3.86 ERA ahead of his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Giants.

Assad didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings.

Assad fared well opposite Tarik Skubal, and he ended just one out shy of recording what would've been his first quality start since mid-June. It remains to be seen if Assad will stay in the rotation following the deadline acquisitions of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, but as of now, he's lined up for Tuesday on the road against the Nationals. Assad owns a 3.58 ERA across 19 appearances (10 starts) and 75.1 innings with the Cubs in 2026. This is the third time in four seasons he has made at least 10 starts.

Skubal (7-6) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out six.

Skubal got into a groove early and struck out three of the first six batters he faced, but he gave up a solo shot to Dansby Swanson in the third inning and an RBI single to Nico Hoerner in the sixth before departing the contest. This was Skubal's fourth consecutive quality start, and despite the loss against one of the hottest teams in the National League, his performance was strong, as he tossed 51 of his 85 pitches for strikes in his first start for his new team. Skubal is expected to take the mound next week in a home series against the Royals.

Soroka (glute) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Soroka tossed 57 pitches (37 strikes) in the rehab outing, which was his first appearance since landing on the 15-day injured list June 20 due to a glute strain. He induced six swings and misses and averaged 92.7 mph with his four-seam fastball, down a full tick from his season-long average. The right-hander doesn't look far away from a return from the 15-day injured list, but the Diamondbacks may want him to get stretched out a little bit more in another rehab start before adding him back to the big-league rotation.

Rodriguez (10-4) allowed seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits and struck out four without walking a batter over 5.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.

Rodriguez hadn't allowed more than five runs in a start all year, and he's given up four or more runs just five times in 23 outings. He was coming off eight scoreless innings versus the Pirates in his last start, which makes this performance quite the letdown. Overall, Rodriguez has done an excellent job this year with a 2.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 92:45 K:BB through 136.1 innings, with the bulk of his success being a product of limiting home runs, though that didn't help him Tuesday. He's projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup versus the Dodgers. He's held the Dodgers to four runs (three earned) over 17 innings across three previous matchups this season, adding a 13:4 K:BB in those games.

Vasquez (7-6) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Vasquez has allowed just three runs over 17 innings across five games since he returned from an ankle bruise. The right-hander appears to have at least temporarily won a spot in the Padres' rotation -- JP Sears was optioned Tuesday, while Griffin Canning and German Marquez both made relief appearances in this contest. The Padres revitalized their rotation by acquiring Casey Mize and Robbie Ray ahead of the trade deadline, but Vasquez should start until Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) complete their rehab assignments. Vasquez is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros if he remains in the rotation.

Melton (7-1) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four over seven shutout innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Melton posted a nearly identical line to his last start, coming up one strikeout short of matching what he did versus the Orioles last week. This was his third scoreless outing of the season, all of which have come since the start of July. Melton is at a superb 1.58 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 64:23 K:BB through 74 innings over 12 starts this season. The 7.8 K/9 is about the only downside to his performance so far, but Melton should get a chance to shine for the Tigers now that he's out of the shadows of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. Melton's next start is projected to be at San Francisco.