MLB Player News

Martinez (14-4) earned the win Friday over Texas, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Martinez made his 27th start Friday, the most he has ever registered in a single season. The 36-year-old recorded his third straight quality start in a win over the Rangers, continuing a career year. The right-hander now owns a 3.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 95:24 K:BB in 160 innings this season. Martinez is lined up to make his next start Thursday against Atlanta.

Houck (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Houck has been throwing at the Red Sox's training facility in Florida, and after throwing a two-inning simulated game Friday without issue, he looks ready to move on to the next step in his long recovery from the hybrid UCL reconstruction procedure he underwent last August. The Red Sox plans to use the right-hander in a relief role once he makes it back from the 60-day injured list.

Crochet (shoulder) threw a 16-pitch bullpen session Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Crochet threw exclusively fastballs in what marked his first time pitching off a mound in over three months. He's scheduled for anther bullpen session Tuesday before potentially facing hitters soon thereafter. The Red Sox still envision Crochet serving as a starter in the long run, but he'll be used as a reliever if he makes it back from the 60-day injured list later this season.

Scarborough recently suffered a right elbow strain and will be shut down for the next 4-to-6 weeks, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scarborough was in the team's pitching lab to work on mechanical tweaks but did not respond well. A scan revealed the elbow strain, and the team decided to shut down the right-hander. "We don't think that it's a major issue at this point," Texas general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. "I think we caught it early, but it's something that we want to give him the proper amount of rest and give him an opportunity to recover." Plans for autumn baseball have been put on hold for now.

Higashioka (forearm) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-5 for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Higashioka began a rehab assignment with the Express, and per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the Rangers plan to have him hit only for the time being. When/if he returns to the team, Higashioka will serve as a bench bat.

Cecconi allowed one run on three hits while striking out two over 2.2 innings of relief in a 7-6 win over the Tigers in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Cecconi was activated off the injured list earlier in the day, and his length was needed immediately after starter Logan Allen was chased in the third inning. Cecconi, who opened the season as a member of the Guardians' rotation, was bumped to the bullpen in early August prior to experiencing arm fatigue. He should be used in a long-relief role over the final month of the season.

Lowder (6-9) took the loss Friday, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks over four-plus innings as the Reds fell 10-7 to the Brewers. He struck out two.

The right-hander wobbled early but still headed into the fifth inning with Cincinnati holding a 6-4 lead, but Lowder got the hook after the first three batters in the frame reached base, and he had to watch all three come around to score. While he didn't serve up any homers for the first time since July 24, Lowder still got hit hard as half the hits off him went for extra bases. Over nine outings since the All-Star break, he's stumbled to a 6.22 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB in 46.1 innings, but the Reds seem content to let him continue taking a regular turn to close out the campaign. Lowder is scheduled to make his next start on the road next week against the Dodgers.

Turang went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 10-7 win over the Reds.

Dropped down to sixth in the order due to a prolonged slump that had seen Turang sag to a .174/.262/.239 slash line since the beginning of August, the second baseman seemed to relish being in a run-producing spot rather than setting the table, as he ripped a two-run double off the right-field wall in the third inning that just missed leaving the yard. A 10-run eruption from the Milwaukee offense will likely ensure manager Pat Murphy avoids any further tinkering for now, so Turang should get a chance to settle into his new spot. Despite his late-season slump, his 82 RBI are a new career high, and he's one homer shy of tying the career-best 18 he launched last year over 156 regular-season games.

Megill struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday, recording his 26th save of the season in a 10-7 win over the Reds.

The right-hander got Dane Myers and Elly De La Cruz to chase knuckle curves after Juan Brito couldn't catch up to a 98.3-mph fastball at the top of the zone to begin the frame. Megill fired 20 pitches (15 strikes) in all as he converted his 18th straight save chance, with his last blown save coming back on June 5 at Coors Field. Since that stumble, he's produced a dazzling 0.29 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB over his last 31.1 innings.

Romano (0-3) took the loss and was charged with his fourth blown save of the season Friday against the Cardinals. He allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit and a walk over one inning in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Cardinals.

Romano entered the ninth tasked with protecting a 6-4 lead but couldn't finish the job. He walked Thomas Saggese to open the inning before Jose Fermin reached on a throwing error with one out, setting the stage for Ivan Herrera's go-ahead three-run homer. Romano has gone 14-for-18 in save chances this season, and this was just his second blown save since the All-Star break. He owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB over 19 innings since joining the Rockies.