MLB Player News

Cecconi (1-1) came away with the win in Friday's game against the Tigers. He allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings.

Cecconi kept the Tigers off the board until the sixth inning, when he yielded a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson. Cecconi was able to finish off the frame to earn his first quality start of the season (and first since June 18 as a member of the Diamondbacks) and finished with 14 whiffs on 84 pitches (56 strikes). He should remain in the Guardians' rotation with Ben Lively (elbow) set to undergo season-ending surgery. Cecconi's next start is slated for next week at home against the Dodgers.

Kikuchi (1-4) allowed seven hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Marlins on Friday.

Kikuchi came up an out short of a quality start for the second time in a row, though this time it was due to his workload rather than an injury scare. He threw 110 pitches (70 strikes) in Friday's outing, and he was strong despite his ongoing issue with walking too many batters. He's allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four outings. Kikuchi's 3.17 ERA is strong, but his 1.49 WHIP and 54:30 K:BB over 59.2 innings (11 starts) raise plenty of concerns about sustainability. His next start is projected to be a tough home matchup versus the Yankees.

Mahle (5-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three across five innings.

All three runs charged to Mahle came in the third inning in a span of three plate appearances, capped off by a Luis Robert RBI single to center field. Mahle was able to keep the White Sox off the board otherwise, but he didn't receive enough run support to avoid the loss. It was the first time that the 30-year-old right-hander yielded three runs or more in a start this season, but his 1.80 ERA (across 60 innings) ranks fourth in the majors. Mahle is slated to face the Blue Jays at home next week.

Ragans (groin) has been playing catch and is expected to return from the injured list when eligible June 1, MLB.com reports.

Ragans exited his start May 16 due to left groin tightness, but it sounds like he'll miss the minimum amount of time. He has a 4.53 ERA this season but an excellent 72:13 K:BB in 45.2 innings.

Lugo (finger) has begun to throw off mound with increasing intensity while rehabbing in Kansas City, MLB.com reports.

Lugo is expected to return when eligible from the injured list May 30 as a result. He was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 14 due to right middle finger inflammation.

Schmidt (1-2) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Rockies on Friday.

Schmidt had turned in three straight quality starts, but that stretch ended with a shorter outing Friday. He needed 97 pitches (62 strikes) to get 14 outs, and he ended up with the loss when Tim Hill couldn't work his way out of a two-on, two-out jam Schmidt left him in the fifth inning. The poor performance has Schmidt at a 4.58 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 38:19 K:BB across 37.1 innings over seven starts this season, though the eight strikeouts were a season high. The right-hander's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Angels.

Festa, who hadn't pitched at Triple-A St. Paul since May 6 due to right arm fatigue, gave up one run over 3.2 innings with seven strikeouts and one walk in Friday's start for the Saints.

With both Zebby Matthews and Simeon Woods Richardson struggling in the fifth-starter role in the majors, Festa could get another shot at the big-league rotation if he can get back to full strength. The righty has pitched well both in the majors (1.38 ERA, 15:5 K:BB in 13 innings) and minors (3.60 ERA, 22:2 K:BB in 20 innings before Friday) this season.

Hancock (2-2) recorded the win Friday against the Astros after allowing three runs on nine hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out three.

Friday marked Hancock's first win since his third start of the season back in late April, and it was also his fourth qualify start in 2025. The 2020 first-rounder has surrendered six runs or greater on two occasions this year, but he's thrown five innings while conceding two runs or fewer in five other instances among his eight outings. Hancock's next turn in the rotation arrives next week versus the Nationals, and he owns a 5.95 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB over 39.1 innings.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Royals after allowing one run on seven hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

It was Lopez's sixth consecutive start of at least five innings and his eighth such effort this season. Although the right-hander has fanned more than six just one time this year, he's now thrown at least five frames while giving up two runs or fewer in seven of his nine appearances. Lopez will next carry a steady 2.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 54:9 K:BB over 50.2 innings into a favorable matchup against the Rays, who have a weak .635 OPS over their last 25 games.

Cameron didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins after allowing one run on four hits and one walk in 6.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Cameron entered Friday with six punchouts on the season, so he more than doubled that total by fanning eight Friday. The rookie left-hander has been impressive in the major leagues so far, having fired at least six innings while giving up one run or fewer in each of his first three career starts. Cameron will tote a sparkling 0.93 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 19.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Reds, who have a .623 OPS versus left-handed pitching through their first 51 games.