Clayton Kershaw Wins Again, Nears 3,000 Strikeouts
Clayton Kershaw improved to 4-0 on Thursday in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. Kershaw spun six innings of one-run, two-hit ball with five strikeouts and one walk to collect the 216th victory of his career. The 37-year-old has been on a roll over his past four starts, having given up a total of four runs on 16 hits with 21:4 K:BB across 23 innings. As a result, his ERA has dropped to 3.03 with 29 strikeouts and 13 walks in 38 2/3 frames this season. The future Hall of Famer is now sitting on 2,997 strikeouts and is on the cusp of becoming the 20th member of the 3,000-K club. He should reach that milestone in an appealing home matchup against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.Source: ESPN
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Pete Fairbanks Nabs 15th Save
Pete Fairbanks recorded two outs on just four pitches to collect save No. 15 in a 4-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. The Rays called on right-hander Paul Gervase to pitch the ninth inning, but he left with one out after allowing two singles. In came Fairbanks, who got Maikel Garcia to ground into a game-ending double play. Fairbanks has now converted 15 of 17 save opportunities while registering a 2.03 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB over 31 innings.Source: ESPN
Tampa Bay Rays closer Orion Kerkering Takes Loss on Thursday
Orion Kerkering fell to 5-3 on the season as the team dropped a 2-1 nail-biter against the Houston Astros on Thursday. The right-hander has recently been part of a closer committee for the Phillies, but they summoned him to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning in a 1-1 game. Kerkering allowed two singles, including an RBI knock by Cam Smith, and hit a batter during his inning of work. It was the first time Kerkering yielded an earned run since May 6, ending a 19-game streak. The 24-year-old still owns a quality 2.56 ERA with 29:17 K:BB, 11 holds, and two saves over 31 2/3 innings. Kerkering and Matt Strahm remain the top candidates for saves in the Phillies' bullpen. Jordan Romano has a team-high eight saves, but he hasn't recorded one since May 29.Source: ESPN
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Griffin Canning Feared to Have Achilles Injury
Griffin Canning (ankle/Achilles) exited his start against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday with what was initially described as a left ankle injury. However, after the Mets' 4-0 win, manager Carlos Mendoza met with the media and revealed: "We think it's an Achilles. He's getting an MRI, we're waiting for the results, but it looks like it's an Achilles injury." Canning, who threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in the victory, needed help getting off the field after stepping awkwardly while reacting to a ground ball hit to short. It now appears he'll miss a significant amount of time, perhaps the rest of the season if an MRI confirms the Mets' fears. Canning has been a dependable part of a New York rotation that has dealt with a slew of injuries this season. The 29-year-old has gone 7-3 and logged a 3.77 ERA with 70 strikeouts, 35 walks, and a 1.38 WHIP in 76 1/3 innings.Source: SNY
New York Mets right-hander Kyle Stowers Blasts Three-Run Shot
Kyle Stowers hit a three-run home run and walked twice in Thursday's 12-5 victory over the Giants. He had cooled off after being one of the hottest hitters in the league over the first two months, but it looks like he may be coming around again. This was the 27-year-old's second home run in the past four games, and he was batting .286 over the past two weeks entering the day. He's now slashing .275/.351/.482 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 35 runs, and three stolen bases this season. The youngster is worth an add if you need outfielder help, especially in five-outfielder leagues.Source: MLB.com
Miami Marlins outfielder Agustin Ramirez Homers, Drives in Three
Agustin Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and two runs scored in Thursday's 12-5 win against the Giants. This was his second straight multi-hit game, and he's now slashing .247/.294/.466 with 12 home runs through 55 games. That works out to a 35 home run pace over 162 games, which is elite power for a catcher. The 23-year-old starts as the designated hitter nearly every time he isn't catching, which leads to more plate appearances than most other backstops in the league. Ramirez can safely be viewed as a top-10 catcher for the rest of the season.Source: MLB.com
Miami Marlins catcher Harry Ford Joining Big-League Club
Harry Ford will be joining the Mariners in Texas on Friday after catcher Mitch Garver took a foul tip off the jaw in Thursday's game, reports Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Ford was initially scheduled to play a game in Triple-A on Thursday but was scratched from the lineup so he could make the trip. This doesn't mean that Ford is definitely being promoted, as the plan is to add him to the taxi squad so he's ready to step in if Garver needs to be placed on the injured list. Expect official word sometime on Friday after Garver's medical scan results are available. Ford has been very productive in the minors so far this season, slashing .311/.426/.469 with eight home runs in 60 games. The top prospect could be relevant in two-catcher leagues if he gets enough playing time.Source: Daniel Kramer
Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver Exits with Jaw Injury
Mitch Garver (jaw) left Thursday's game in the bottom of the fifth inning after taking a foul ball off his jaw, reports Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Cal Raleigh shifted from designated hitter to catcher to take his place. Garver is set to undergo medical scans to determine the extent of his injury and see if a trip to the injured list is necessary. The Mariners are at least somewhat concerned, as Harry Ford is joining the team tomorrow at least as a member of the taxi squad, but will be ready to take Garver's spot on the roster if an injured list stint is required.Source: Adam Jude
Seattle Mariners catcher Griffin Canning Exits with Ankle Injury
Griffin Canning (ankle) left Thursday's start against the Braves in the third inning after throwing only 36 pitches. He stepped awkwardly after a ball was hit into play and collapsed to the ground in what looked to be considerable pain. The Mets confirmed that the 29-year-old is dealing with a left ankle injury, and he will undergo imaging to determine the severity. The right-hander cruised through 2 ⅔ innings before going down, allowing one hit and striking out three. Expect further updates tomorrow on the extent of his ankle injury and if he will require a trip to the injured list.Source: New York Mets
New York Mets starting pitcher Tanner Scott Records 17th Save
Tanner Scott was called upon to hold a two-run lead against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. It started off a bit rocky with a walk to Tyler Freeman to open the inning. Scott was able to battle back with a strikeout and a double play to earn his 17th save of the season. It hasn't been a great season from Scott who owns a 3.55 ERA and five blown saves to his name. Despite that, Scott has been better lately and is on one of the best teams in baseball, so he should see plenty of chances. Fantasy managers should continue riding with Scott as long as he remains in the closer role.Source: mlb.com
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Cristopher Sanchez Records 11 Strikeouts
Cristopher Sanchez was once again sharp on the mound during Thursday's outing against the Houston Astros. Sanchez isn't known as a big strikeout pitcher, but had his swing and miss stuff working on Thursday. The left-hander tossed six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out 11 batters. Sanchez has been excellent lately as he's allowed two earned runs or less in six straight starts. He'll take a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 103/29 K/BB ratio into his next start against the San Diego Padres.Source: mlb.com
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Hunter Brown Excellent in No-Decision
Hunter Brown continued his impressive campaign during Thursday's outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Brown was tough to hit as he allowed only three hits while recording nine strikeouts over seven innings of work. This marked the sixth straight start that Brown has allowed two earned runs or less in a start. The right-hander has also struck out nine batters or more in three of his last four starts. Brown will take his league-leading 1.74 ERA along with a 0.89 WHIP into his next start against the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies offense has struggled this season, but playing in Coors Field is not always fun for pitchers.Source: mlb.com
Houston Astros starting pitcher Daniel Palencia Earns Ninth Save
Daniel Palencia got into a little bit of trouble, but was able to recover during Thursday's outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. Palencia hit Willson Contreras with a pitch and gave up a hit to put himself in a dangerous situation. He was able to work through the inning by recording three strikeouts to earn his eighth save of the season. Things got a little heated afterwards with Contreras not liking Palencia celebrating. It looks like the Cubs are going to continue leaning on Palencia until he gives them a reason not to trust him. Palencia is a solid option for saves right now and he should be rostered in most fantasy formats where saves matter.Source: mlb.com
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shota Imanaga Throws Five Scoreless Innings
Shota Imanaga made his return to the mound for Thursday's outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. This was Imanaga's first start since suffering a hamstring injury in early May. Imanaga didn't look rusty at all as he tossed five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in the win. The Cubs didn't want to push Imanaga too hard during his first game back, but this was an excellent outing from him. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Cleveland Guardians in his next start.Source: mlb.com
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Wander Franco Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse, Receives Two-Year Suspended Sentence
Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Franco will receive a two-year suspended prison sentence, with the primary condition being that he doesn't approach minors with sexual intentions. The 24-year-old was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, as well as human trafficking, in July of last year. He was placed on administrative leave by MLB last August and remains on the league's restricted list. While it appears that Franco may not actually have to do any prison time, it's still unlikely that he sets foot back onto a field in the big leagues for the Rays or any other organization.Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop