MLB Player News

Kikuchi (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kikuchi struggled with his control throughout the outing, throwing just 51 of 93 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with five free passes -- though two of the walks were intentional (both to Aaron Judge). Still, the veteran hurler was able to mostly avoid damage, as he surrendered just a first-inning run. Kikuchi finished his outing on a high note by retiring the final eight batters he faced, but the Angels were unable to provide him with any run support, resulting in his fifth loss of the season. Despite a 1-5 record, Kikuchi has been solid as the ace of the Angels' staff, allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his past six starts and registering a 3.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 64.2 innings on the campaign.

Schmidt (2-2) earned the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out four batters over six scoreless innings.

Schmidt gave up just one extra-base hit (a double) in the outing and racked up 13 whiffs while throwing 69 of 99 pitches for strikes. It was the first time this season that he ended a start without giving up any runs, and the right-hander recorded his fourth quality start across his past five appearances. Schmidt has just two victories through eight outings, but he's pitched decently well with a 3.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB through 43.1 innings.

Mahle didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays after allowing four hits and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Mahle's exceptional start to the season continues, as he's now hurled at least six innings while surrendering one run or fewer on seven occasions. While the veteran right-hander has fanned more than five batters just two times this year, he's given up greater than two runs in only one start. Mahle will carry an excellent 1.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 66 innings (12 starts) into a soft matchup slated for next week against the Rays, who have a .661 OPS over their last 30 games.

Smith didn't factor into the decision during Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Mets, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

Smith failed to complete four innings for the first time this season, getting yanked after 86 pitches. All the damage against him came in the third, when he surrendered a three-run home run to Mark Vientos. Smith's lack of depth can be attributed to his shaky control, as he threw just 48 strikes and walked a season-high five batters. In his last three starts, Smith has allowed 12 runs (seven earned) with a 16:8 K:BB over 13.2 innings.

Povich (1-4) took the loss against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Povich opened with three scoreless frames before allowing five runs across the fourth and fifth innings. The southpaw matched a season high with nine strikeouts but struggled with his command, throwing just 56 of 96 pitches for strikes and allowing nine hard-hit balls. He'll carry a 5.29 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB across 51 innings into a road matchup with the Mariners next week.

Cameron (2-1) tallied the win Wednesday against the Reds after allowing one run on six hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out two.

It was notably Cameron's fourth straight start to begin his major-league career in which he fired at least six innings while yielding one run or fewer. Although the rookie left-hander conceded a season-worst six hits and fanned a season-low two, none of his six knocks went for extra bases. Cameron will take an outstanding 1.05 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 25.2 frames into his next scheduled outing against the Cardinals, who have an unimposing .690 OPS versus left-handed pitching in the month of May.

Bello came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was another abbreviated outing for Bello, who got the hook after 77 pitches (46 strikes). The right-hander has gone five straight starts without being able to complete the fifth inning, posting a 4.84 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 17:15 K:BB over 22.1 innings during that stretch, and his inability to provide any length or last long enough to quality for a win is making him increasingly difficult to roster even in deep fantasy formats. Bello will try to find some efficiency in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Angels.

The Mariners optioned Evans to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Evans turned in a 2.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 35 innings during his first six starts in a big-league uniform, though his 4.72 FIP indicates his performance hasn't been quite as impressive as his surface stats may suggest. He'll now head back to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Jackson Kowar (elbow), who returned from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Severino allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the Astros. He struck out four.

Severino has now delivered three straight quality starts, allowing just three earned runs over 18 innings during that span. However, the veteran righty remains stuck with just one win this season, as the A's bullpen again failed to hang onto the lead after Severino departed. He now sports a 3.89 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB through 12 starts (71.2 innings) this season. Severino will hope for better luck his next time out, currently lined up as a home matchup with the Twins.

McCullers allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the A's. He struck out 12.

McCullers delivered a season-high six innings Wednesday, throwing 102 pitches, as he continues to round into form following a two-year absence. The 31-year-old right-hander has certainly found his swing-and-miss stuff -- he's recorded 20 punchouts across 10.1 innings in his last two starts. Overall, McCullers is 0-1 with a 5.89 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB through his first five outings (18.1 innings). McCullers is currently lined up for an enticing road matchup with the Pirates in his next start.