MLB Player News

Pecko (1-0) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Mets on Sunday.

Pecko's start got off to a brutal beginning, as Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto tagged him for back-to-back solo shots on consecutive pitches. From there, Pecko settled in and got enough run support to come away with the win. He's posted a 6.23 ERA and 9:9 K:BB through 13 innings over his first three starts in the majors. It's unclear if Pecko will stick around on the Astros' roster once Mike Burrows (elbow) returns from the injured list.

Messick (11-8) earned the win against the Royals on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

After conceding a run in the opening inning, Messick cruised his way to victory on a day when the Guardians erupted for nine runs through four innings. The left-hander continues to deal on the hill, tossing at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in 10 consecutive starts since the beginning of July. He'll look to further improve upon an already excellent 2.46 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 161:43 K:BB over 161 innings in his next scheduled outing against Detroit.

Herrera went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Herrera was on the front end of a double steal during the seventh inning after his RBI double against Camilo Doval. While speed isn't a huge part of Herrera's game, he's up to eight steals this season, though this one was his first since Aug. 3. The 26-year-old hit .241 in August, which is right in line with his .243 average for the season. Herrera has added a .733 OPS, 14 home runs, 55 RBI, 82 runs scored, 24 doubles and one triple across 137 contests.

Burleson went 1-for-4 with one RBI, a stolen base and a walk in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Burleson's run production has been strong this year -- he's second in the majors with 100 RBI, trailing only Sal Stewart's 104. Burleson concluded August batting .311 (32-for-103) for the month while adding 29 RBI in 28 contests. Overall, he's hitting .288 with an .829 OPS, 21 homers, 33 doubles, 78 runs scored and four stolen bases across 137 games.

Lugo (6-8) took the loss against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing nine runs on nine hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was a rough afternoon on the bump for Lugo, who surrendered six extra-base hits (two home runs) and coughed up three runs in every inning he worked besides the second. The nine runs allowed were a season worst, and Sunday marked his second-shortest outing of the season. He'll aim to right the ship in his next scheduled outing against the Blue Jays, holding a 5.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 118:49 K:BB over 153 innings.

Saggese went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Saggese got the start at shortstop Sunday after JJ Wetherholt (wrist) landed on the injured list. A natural second baseman, Saggese has a path to playing time on the left side of the infield while Wetherholt and Blaze Jordan (ankle) are sidelined. It may end up becoming a platoon situation somewhere for the right-handed-hitting Saggese, while lefties Cesar Prieto and Nolan Gorman could see more opportunities against right-handed pitchers. For the year, Saggese is batting .210 with a .560 OPS, one home run, four RBI, 11 runs scored, two doubles, one triple and one stolen base over 87 plate appearances in the majors.

Valdez (8-10) took the loss against the Dodgers on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Valdez held his own versus a vaunted lineup, overcoming three extra-base hits (one home run) for a quality start. The southpaw is putting together a solid run on the mound as of late, either submitting a quality start or pitching at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in five of his last seven appearances. He'll carry a 4.36 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 116:57 K:BB over 150.2 innings into his next scheduled outing in Cleveland.

Liberatore (5-13) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Pirates.

The long ball was a problem again -- Esmerlyn Valdez hit a two-run homer in the second inning, and Jared Triolo added a solo shot in the fifth. Liberatore has allowed multiple homers in consecutive starts and has given up eight homers in as many starts since the All-Star break. In that span, he's also surrendered 30 runs (29 earned) over 41 innings. Liberatore is having a disappointing campaign with a 5.41 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 141:47 K:BB across 134.2 innings over 27 starts. He's projected for a road start in Colorado in his next outing, which is one fantasy managers should probably avoid.

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Cruz went 5-for-13 during the three-game weekend series versus St. Louis. The outfielder was able to make an impact with speed in this contest, picking up his first steals since Aug. 19. For the season, he's 24-for-28 on the basepaths. Cruz is batting .263 with an .835 OPS, 17 home runs, 52 RBI, 52 runs scored, 11 doubles and one triple over 75 contests this year, and he's hit .256 (10-for-39) since returning from a fractured hand.

Glasnow (4-0) earned the win against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out six.

Detroit scratched its lone run across in the fourth inning, but it was smooth sailing for Glasnow otherwise. The hard-throwing right-hander has made just nine appearances for the Dodgers this season due to lower-back spasms, but he's already turned in five starts with at least six innings and two runs or fewer allowed. He'll carry a 2.79 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 62:14 K:BB over 51.2 innings into his next scheduled outing at home versus the Nationals.