Hunter Brown Fires Six Scoreless Innings in Victory
Hunter Brown (11-7) earned his 11th win of the season with a lights-out performance against the Texas Rangers on Saturday. The Astros cruised to an 11-0 victory behind Brown, who threw six scoreless, four-hit innings and recorded eight strikeouts against three walks. The 27-year-old hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a game since July 20 - an eight-start span - and has yielded just eight ER in 48 2/3 innings since July 26. Brown now boasts a 2.25 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and 190:52 K:BB over 167 2/3 frames this season. He'll have a good chance to stay on a roll against a middling Atlanta Braves offense on Sept. 13.
Source: ESPN
Houston Astros ace right-hander Source: ESPN
Julio Rodriguez Reaches 30-Home Run Mark in Win
Julio Rodriguez starred in a 10-2 blowout of the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. Rodriguez finished 3-for-5 with team highs in homers (two), RBI (four), and runs scored (three) to continue an early September power surge. The 24-year-old has gone deep four times in five games this month and has now reached the 30-HR mark for the second time in four major league seasons. Rodriguez has added 86 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases for good measure. The three-time All-Star is also slashing a solidly above-average .265/.317/.375 over 628 plate appearances.
Source: ESPN
Seattle Mariners outfielder Source: ESPN
Ryan Walker Implodes in Loss
Ryan Walker had an outing to forget in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. After Giants hurlers Justin Verlander, Joey Lucchesi, and Jose Butto combined for eight scoreless innings, Walker entered in the ninth to preserve a two-run lead. He wasn't up to the task. The right-hander faced five hitters and failed to retire any of them. Along with hitting a batter, he gave up four hits - including a walk-off double by Jordan Walker - en route to his fifth loss and sixth blown save of the season. The 29-year-old entered the game having surrendered just four earned runs since the start of July, but he nearly matched that total on Saturday. Walker now has a 3.93 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP, 55:14 K:BB, and 14 saves in 2025.
Source: ESPN
San Francisco Giants closer Source: ESPN
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Falls One Out Shy of No-Hitter
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was brilliant on Saturday in a 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Yamamoto came within one out of a no-hitter, throwing 8 2/3 near-spotless innings before Jackson Holliday spoiled his bid for history with a solo home run. That was the 112th pitch of the night for Yamamoto, whom the Dodgers immediately removed from the game. The 27-year-old left in position to collect his 12th win of the season, but the Dodgers' bullpen melted down in a shocking defeat. Yamamoto finished the night with 10 strikeouts and two walks in his second straight start with double-digit punchouts. He has now recorded four quality starts in a row and dropped his ERA to 2.72 with a 1.05 WHIP, 177 strikeouts, and 50 walks in 155 1/3 innings. The ace hurler will make his next start against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 13. Yamamoto fired seven shutout innings against the Giants on July 13, but they teed off on him for five earned runs in 4 2/3 frames on June 13.
Source: ESPN
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Source: ESPN
David Bednar Nails Down Four-Out Save
David Bednar looked sharp in closing out a 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Bednar entered with two down and a man on second in the top of the eighth, and he put out the fire with a strikeout of Nathan Lukes. The right-hander stayed in for the ninth and retired the side in order, striking out Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Alejandro Kirk along the way. It took Bednar 21 pitches to collect his 21st save of the season and his fourth since the Yankees acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the July 31 trade deadline. Bednar has given up a mere four runs in 14 2/3 innings as a Yankee and has logged a 2.52 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 76:16 K:BB in 53 2/3 frames this season.
Source: ESPN
New York Yankees reliever Source: ESPN
Wilyer Abreu Begins Running
Wilyer Abreu (calf) ran for the first time in more than a week on Friday and did so again Saturday, manager Alex Cora told reporters. "He feels OK," Cora said. "It wasn't full speed, but better than last time he tried." Cora didn't indicate when Abreu could return from the 10-day injured list. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf with a right-calf injury since Aug. 18, and the hope then was that he would only require a minimum stay on the IL. Unfortunately for the Red Sox and fantasy managers, Abreu's absence is nearing the three-week mark with no clear end in sight. Abreu has set career highs in homers (22) and RBI (69) while slashing .253/.325/.486 with 52 runs scored and six stolen bases in 395 plate appearances.
Source: Tim Healey - Boston Globe
Boston Red Sox outfielder Source: Tim Healey - Boston Globe
Bubba Chandler to Make First Start on Sunday
Bubba Chandler is scheduled to make his first career big-league start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, according to interim manager Don Kelly. Chandler has made three four-inning outings for the Pirates since being recalled in late August. Now, Chandler is scheduled to make his first official big league start this weekend. It's unclear how deep he'll pitch into the game, but a four or five inning outing seems likely. Since being recalled, Chandler has allowed three runs on nine hits while striking out nine batters across 12 innings of work. He has promising long-term upside and is worth a look as a streaming option on Sunday.
Source: Danny Demilio
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Source: Danny Demilio
Jesus Luzardo Racks Up Eight Strikeouts
Jesus Luzardo had his swing-and-miss stuff going for him during Saturday's outing. Luzardo was brilliant early on as he tossed three scoreless innings. He was hit around for two runs on four hits in the fourth inning. However, Luzardo settled down and continued to have success after that. He finished with six innings of work, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out eight batters in the win over the Miami Marlins. He was a bit wild with four walks, but overall it was a good day for fantasy managers. Luzardo will take a 4.01 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 190/56 K/BB ratio into his next outing against the New York Mets.
Source: mlb.com
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Source: mlb.com
Tarik Skubal Looks Outstanding on Saturday
Tarik Skubal was excellent on the mound during Saturday's outing against the Chicago White Sox. Coming into this start, Skubal had allowed one earned run over his last three starts. His excellent pitching continued during Saturday's start. Skubal tossed seven shutout innings, allowing two hits while striking out six batters in the win. He only threw 90 pitches in this one, so he probably could've pitched deeper, but the Tigers didn't need him to do that. Skubal will take a 2.10 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 222/28 K/BB ratio into his next outing against the Miami Marlins.
Source: mlb.com
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Source: mlb.com
Drew Pomeranz Named Opener for Sunday
Drew Pomeranz has been named the opener for Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. Pomeranz is set to serve as the opener for the fourth time this season. The southpaw holds a 2.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, with a 42/13 K/BB ratio across 40.1 innings this season. Pomeranz has only pitched more than one inning just three times so far. He's unlikely to pitch deep enough into the game to warrant streaming appeal.
Source: Ryan Herrera
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Source: Ryan Herrera
Christian Yelich Takes Swings on Saturday
Christian Yelich (back) was able to take swings in the batting cage ahead of Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His absence on Thursday marked the fourth game in a row that Yelich has sat out due to a back issue. The fact he was able to take swings is encouraging heading into Sunday's contest. The Brewers are likely going to wait until the morning to see how Yelich feels. Jake Bauers has been filling in at designated hitter and he figures to continue doing that until Yelich returns.
Source: Sophia Minnaert
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Source: Sophia Minnaert
Samuel Basallo Exits Early with Hand Injury
Samuel Basallo (hand) was removed early during Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Basallo was taken out of the game after taking a foul ball off his right hand. He attempted to stay in the game, but both his throws sailed into the outfield. The assumption is that Basallo will undergo X-rays to determine the severity of the injury. His lone at-bat in the game resulted in a walk. For now, fantasy managers should consider Basallo as day-to-day. Alex Jackson took over behind the plate and figures to see increased time there if Basallo misses time.
Source: Jake Rill
Baltimore Orioles catcher Source: Jake Rill
Spencer Arrighetti Won't Require Surgery
Spencer Arrighetti (elbow) will miss the rest of the regular season, but will avoid having surgery. Arrighetti underwent an MRI which revealed that his UCL is intact. That means, Arrighetti won't require elbow surgery, but he will miss the rest of the season.The expectation is that Arrighetti will be ready for the beginning of spring training. He'll finish the 2025 season with a 5.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and a 31/20 K/BB ratio across seven starts with the Astros. Fantasy managers can safely drop Arrighetti in redraft formats.
Source: Brian McTaggart
Houston Astros starting pitcher Source: Brian McTaggart
Dalton Rushing Heads to Injured List
Dalton Rushing (shin) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. Rushing was forced to make an early exit from Friday's contest after fouling a ball off his leg. Luckily, the CT scan didn't reveal any fractures, so Rushing won't require surgery. However, Rushing will miss time due to a bruised left shin. The Dodgers are shorthanded behind the plate with Will Smith (hand) also sidelined. In a corresponding move, Chuckie Robinson has been recalled to give the Dodgers some depth behind the plate. Robinson and Ben Rortvedt figure to split up the time behind the plate for now.
Source: Jack Harris
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Source: Jack Harris
Alex Cobb to Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery
Alex Cobb (hip) will undergo season-ending hip resurfacing surgery, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Cobb hasn't pitched in the majors at all this year as a result of hip inflammation. He had been on a minor-league rehab assignment and working toward a late-season debut, but the 37-year-old will instead shut it down with time running out on the 2025 campaign. Even though injuries limited Cobb to 16 1/3 innings with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024, the Tigers took a one-year, $15 million gamble on him in free agency last winter. It'll go down as a failed investment for Detroit. Cobb, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future heading into the offseason and could consider retirement.
Source: Evan Woodbery - MLive.com
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Source: Evan Woodbery - MLive.com