MLB Player News

Cecconi didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Rays, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start on 99 pitches (63 strikes). Cecconi has five quality starts in eight outings since the All-Star break, but in the other three outings he got tagged for 19 runs (17 earned) in 16 innings, leaving him with a ragged 5.55 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 27:8 K:BB and 2.1 HR/9 over 47 frames during that span. With John Means (elbow) closing on on his Cleveland debut, either Cecconi or Parker Messick, who has been very impressive in his first two MLB starts, are likely to lose their spot in the rotation. Cecconi may get one last chance to make his case in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Boston.

Fairbanks was charged with his fifth blown save of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Guardians, giving up one run on one hit in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Brought in to protect a 3-2 lead, Fairbanks instead served up a game-tying homer to improbable hero Nolan Jones, who came into Wednesday mired in a 53-game power drought, with his last long ball having come June 13. Fairbanks has coughed up just five home runs on the season, but four of them have come in his last 10 appearances -- a stretch in which he's gone 4-for-6 in converting save chances.

Rasmussen came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Guardians, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander extended his quality start streak to four with another sharp performance that saw him fire 60 of 85 pitches for strikes, but Rasmussen missed out on his 11th win of the season when the Rays bullpen blew a 3-2 lead. He hasn't been tagged for more than two runs in an outing since June 30, and over nine trips to the mound since the beginning of July, Rasmussen sports a 2.34 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB in 42.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.

Moncada is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

The Angels will hold the switch-hitting Moncada out of the lineup for a second straight game while the Halos face off against another lefty starter (Jacob Latz). Luis Rengifo will pick up the start at third base, but Moncada should continue to serve as the top option at the position when the Angels face right-handed pitchers.

Happ isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

The switch-hitting Happ owns a .632 OPS against southpaws this season, and the Cubs will keep him on the bench Wednesday with left-hander Carson Whisenhunt set to take the mound for the Giants. Willi Castro will fill in as Chicago's left fielder and bat ninth.

Kavadas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Oswald Peraza will step in at first base for Kavadas, who started in each of the last three games and went 1-for-9 at the dish. Though he's on the bench Wednesday as the Rangers send lefty Jacob Latz to the hill, the left-handed-hitting Kavadas should play regularly against right-handed pitching while top first baseman Nolan Schanuel (wrist) is on the injured list.

Gusto (7-7) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins were routed 12-1 by Atlanta, coughing up nine runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and five walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

A leadoff homer by Jurickson Profar set the tone for the afternoon, as Atlanta went yard five times in total off Miami pitchers -- in fact, utility infielder Javier Sanoja was the only player to take the mound for the Marlins and not surrender a home run. Gusto saw his already bloated 6.00 ERA through two starts with his new club swell even further to 9.77, a mark that comes with a 1.66 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB through 15.2 innings. With Adam Mazur set to get a start Thursday, top prospect Robby Snelling knocking very loudly on the door at Triple-A, and Ryan Weathers (lat) about to begin a rehab assignment, Gusto's stint in the big-league rotation could end at any time. For the moment however, he's scheduled to make his next outing on the road early next week against the Nationals.

The Astros placed Caratini (concussion) on the 7-day injured list Wednesday.

After taking foul balls off his catcher's mask Sunday and Tuesday, Caratini entered concussion protocol Wednesday and will now officially miss at least a week of action. Cesar Salazar was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill in as Houston's backup catcher, though he will get the start behind home plate Wednesday against the Rockies while top backstop Yainer Diaz manages a hand injury.

Altuve is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's just a standard day off for Altuve, who started the previous 30 games and had a .250/.320/.405 slash line with three doubles, five homers, 11 RBI and 16 runs during that span. Mauricio Dubon will man the keystone Wednesday for the Astros.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith started the first two games of the series and will sit for the finale after going 1-for-6 with two walks, a solo homer and an additional run scored. Dalton Rushing will start behind the plate and bat eighth versus Cincinnati lefty Nick Lodolo.