MLB Player News

Sears (10-9) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk over 3.2 innings in an 11-3 loss to the Brewers. He struck out three.

The southpaw saw his four-game quality start streak end with a resounding thud, as Rhys Hoskins and Joey Ortiz took him deep in a five-run second inning for Milwaukee. Sears has given up three runs or fewer in eight of his last 11 starts, but he's been hammered for at least seven runs in each of the other three -- volatility that has left him with a 4.50 ERA in 62 innings over that stretch despite a 1.18 WHIP and 58:10 K:BB. Sears will try to shake it off in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Vest (3-4) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Friday's 5-2 victory over the White Sox. He allowed one hit.

Vest came on with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, then worked through the seventh inning as well to earn the win when the Tigers scored twice in the top half to break a 2-2 tie. The veteran righty is having another quality season with a 3.11 ERA across 55 innings of relief. Vest is getting high-leverage work, though Jason Foley is seeing the bulk of the save opportunities for the Tigers, including in Friday's contest.

Festa (2-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Twins fell 6-1 to the Cardinals. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander tossed an inefficient 75 pitches (45 strikes) as he saw another early exit. The Twins are being cautious with Festa and the 24-year-old has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his first eight big-league appearances (seven starts), but that babying hasn't led to impressive numbers. Through 36.1 innings, he's served up seven homers and been saddled with a 5.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, despite a 44:11 K:BB that highlights his potential. Festa will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Vierling went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and two RBI in Friday's 5-2 win over the White Sox.

Vierling extended his hitting streak to three games and he's having a nice August, batting .286 for the month. The utility player is batting .255 overall with a .728 OPS. He's mostly been playing in the outfield lately, including his start in right Friday, though he's mixing in occasional time at third base. Vierling's versatility should continue to get him in on the field most days for the Tigers.

Greene went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Friday's 5-2 win over the White Sox.

Greene now has consecutive two-hit performances, pushing his batting average up to .263 for the season and his OPS to .839. The young outfielder has played in four games following a nearly month-long absence due to a hamstring strain. Greene looks fully recovered based on his last two efforts, though the team will likely be cautious with him as he ramps back up.

Renfroe went 1-for-2 with two walks, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-4 win over the Phillies.

His third-inning shot off Taijuan Walker capped a five-run frame for Kansas City. Renfroe snapped a 16-game homerless drought in the process, but he's been heating up of late, starting five of the last six games and going 8-for-19 (.421) with a 3:3 BB:K. Renfroe's .713 OPS on the season is identical to his 2023 performance, but with just 12 homers in 103 contests, he has some work to do if he's going to reach the 20-homer mark for the fourth straight year and the seventh time in his career.

Erceg gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his seventh save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Phillies.

The 29-year-old has staked a strong claim to the closer job in Kansas City, securing four of the team's last five saves and posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and 15:0 K:BB through 11.1 innings since being acquired by the Royals at the trade deadline. James McArthur has turned things around in August with a 1.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB in 8.1 frames, but looking more comfortable in a lower-leverage role isn't going to get him back in the ninth-inning mix unless Erceg stumbles.

Wacha (11-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits over six innings in a 7-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander was sharp once again, tossing 64 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his fifth straight quality start and 13th of the season -- his highest total since 2017. Wacha also hasn't been stuck with a loss since June 22, winning seven straight decisions with a 2.40 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB over 60 innings since then. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cleveland.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.

Lowe snapped an 0-for-12 slump when he singled and scored as part of the Rangers' four-run second inning. The first baseman has traditionally been a better hitter in the second half (.824 OPS), but that hasn't bee the case so far in 2024. Lowe's batting .234/.351/.369 over 32 games since the All-Star break.

Seager went 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBI in Friday's 5-3 win over Cleveland.

Seager provided the winning blow with a two-run double in the second inning. The shortstop leads the Rangers with 70 RBI, fueled by a productive month. Seager has a .992 OPS with nine homers and 20 RBI over 19 games in August.