MLB Player News

Brown (3-2) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Tuesday.

Brown threw 56 of 89 pitches for strikes in a decent outing, but the Astros didn't give him much help. The right-hander has surrendered 12 runs over 28.1 innings while adding a 28:13 K:BB over five starts since the All-Star break, providing solid but unremarkable pitching in most of his outings in that stretch. For the year, he's at a 3.68 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 67:35 K:BB through 63.2 innings over 12 starts. Brown's next start is projected to be in a favorable home matchup versus the Angels.

Barnett (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Rays, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks while failing to record a strikeout over four innings.

Barnett surrendered a two-run homer to Junior Caminero in the first inning before running into more trouble in the fourth, when Taylor Walls and Yandy Diaz launched back-to-back bombs. The right-hander recorded just one whiff on 67 pitches as he failed to punch out a single hitter. He has now allowed three home runs in consecutive outings and has surrendered 14 runs (13 earned) across 13.1 innings while working as a traditional starter over his last three appearances. Barnett owns a 6.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 35:18 K:BB across 36 innings this season. He may need to show out in his next scheduled outing against a weak Kansas City offense if he wants to make a case to remain in the rotation.

Quero went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Reds.

Quero has been in the lineup for three of four games since he was promoted to the majors, with all of those starts coming against lefties. The usage makes it unclear whether he will play ahead of Drew Romo against righties, or if the two will operate in more of a platoon while the White Sox are without Kyle Teel (ankle) and Joey Bart (hand). Quero has at least taken advantage of his opportunity to this point by going 2-for-8 with three walks and no strikeouts following his call-up from Triple-A Charlotte.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Reds.

Vargas led off the fourth inning with his 25th home run of the season and third in his last 10 starts. He's hit only .189 in that stretch, but has struck out just 24.4 percent of the time while chipping in seven runs scored and five RBI. Vargas now has 79 runs scored -- one off matching his career-best mark -- and has already set career highs in most statistical categories.

Martinez (12-3) earned the win Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five over nine innings.

Martinez needed just 101 pitches, throwing 68 for strikes, to go the distance for the first time in his career. Lawrence Butler took him deep for a two-run homer in the fourth inning, but Martinez limited the Athletics until the ninth when Tampa Bay already held a commanding lead. The right-hander has now completed at least five innings in 11 consecutive starts, collecting seven wins during that stretch. Across 23 starts this season, Martinez owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 78:20 K:BB over 138 innings. He's scheduled to face the Orioles at home Monday.

King will serve as the Astros' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

King owns a 3.83 ERA through 49.1 innings this season but has given up 12 earned runs in just his last 9.1 frames. Despite his recent poor form, the Astros will give him his first MLB start. Tatsuya Imai or Ronel Blanco is expected to pitch in bulk relief once King exits, likely after covering the first inning or two.

Natera recorded the save Sunday against the Rangers, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Natera was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and struck out each of the first two batters he faced before inducing a lineout from Justin Foscue to secure his third save. The left-hander has been dominant of late, allowing just one run across his last 15.2 innings while posting an outstanding 27:3 K:BB during that stretch. In 23 appearances since his June 5 call-up, Natera owns a 2.00 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB across 27 innings.

Bradford (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Angels, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one over seven innings.

Bradford didn't need much of a workload buildup Tuesday, as he efficiently completed seven innings on just 75 pitches (49 strikes), including eight at-bats that lasted just one pitch. All three runs against him came in the third inning on three hits and a hit batter, but he settled in from there to retire 12 of the final 13 hitters he faced. It was only Bradford's second start of the season after being activated from the injured list Aug. 5 following an elbow injury that sidelined him for all of 2025. He's scheduled to face Washington at home in his next start, presenting a significant challenge against one of MLB's most productive lineups.

Johnson did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings.

Johnson served up a solo homer to Joc Pederson, the first batter of the game, to make it eight consecutive outings with a home run allowed. After the first inning, the right-hander held Texas hitless over the next three frames before Austin Wynns led off the fifth with a single, and Johnson was pulled one batter later. He's now limited opponents to one run in each of his two starts since being recalled Aug. 1, which could help him avoid another option to Triple-A Salt Lake when Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) returns from the injured list. Across 11 starts and three relief appearances this season, Johnson owns a 6.71 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB over 55 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make another start Sunday against the Royals.

Burke did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Burke allowed a solo homer in the fifth inning but was otherwise superb, generating a whopping 20 swinging strikes on 94 pitches and departing with a 4-1 lead his bullpen could not secure. It was an encouraging effort after the 26-year-old failed to complete five frames for the first time since June 13 last Wednesday, and he's now logged a quality start in six of his past seven outings. He'll carry a 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 152:39 K:BB across 135.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Tigers this weekend.