MLB Player News

Smith was pulled early from his last outing with Double-A Birmingham and will have his next start skipped due to fluctuating velocity and signs of fatigue, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox are saying Smith is fine physically and this is more about simply managing his workload during his first full professional season. Smith has had control problems this season in issuing 20 walks over 25.2 innings, but he's still managed to post a 2.10 ERA while recording 42 strikeouts.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that McClanahan still feels some discomfort in his left triceps when playing catch from 60 feet, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

While the soreness in McClanahan's left arm hasn't totally dissipated, he's been "given the thumbs up by the doctors" to continue his throwing program, per Cash. However, McClanahan will not be able to ramp up and get cleared to throw from a mound until the nerve irritation in his triceps is gone. As such, McClanahan is without a timeline for making his 2025 debut with the Rays.

The Astros will recall Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday to make his major-league debut against the Royals, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Gordon is off to a stellar start this season with Sugar Land, collecting a 2.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB over 42.1 innings covering eight starts. The left-hander could make additional starts with the big club after Wednesday's outing, as the Astros plan to temporarily maintain a six-man rotation amidst a stretch of the schedule without off days.

Hancock (1-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings to take the loss Monday versus the Yankees.

Hancock's run of three straight quality starts came to an end as the Yankees got to him. Trent Grisham had a pair of solo shots, and Austin Wells capped a six-run fifth inning with a three-run blast. The three homers allowed matched the total Hancock had given up over his first five starts of the year combined. He's now at a 6.91 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB across 28.2 innings over six starts. Hancock will likely get one more turn in the rotation -- a road start at San Diego this weekend -- before ceding his spot to George Kirby (shoulder), though Hancock could stick around as a starter if Logan Gilbert's (elbow) recovery timeline trends toward the end of May or early June.

Schmidt (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over six-plus innings to earn the win Monday over the Mariners.

Schmidt has turned in consecutive quality starts, and this was one was enough to get him his first win of the season. He allowed solo home runs to Julio Rodriguez and Jorge Polanco, but a big fifth inning by the Yankees gave Schmidt plenty of support. Over five starts this season, the 29-year-old has a 4.73 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB across 26.2 innings. His next start is expected to be at home over the weekend versus the Mets.

Kikuchi allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Monday.

It was Kikuchi's own throwing error that led to two runs scoring to give the Padres the lead in the third inning. He left the game with the Angels trailing 4-3, but they rallied in the ninth to get him off the hook, instead leaving him with a third straight no-decision. This was his fifth quality start in nine outings, but he has yet to get in the win column. Kikuchi has posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 43:22 K:BB over 48.1 innings, though he's walked just four batters over his last three starts, spanning 17 innings. The left-hander's next start is projected to be a tough road matchup versus the Dodgers this weekend.

Wacha (3-4) earned the win Monday at Houston, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander limited damage in this 88-pitch performance, scattering six singles and two doubles while generating only six whiffs. Wacha collected his fourth consecutive quality start, as he's pitched to a 1.75 ERA, 1.09 WHIP across 25.2 innings during that span. Through 51.2 total frames, the 33-year-old sports a 2.96 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB. He is currently slated to make his next start against one of his former teams, the Cardinals, at home this weekend.

Mahle (4-1) earned the win Monday versus Colorado, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over 6.1 innings with five strikeouts.

The Texas right-hander was never in trouble during this 88-pitch outing against the feeble Rockies. The Colorado lineup managed only one extra-base hit off Mahle, a Hunter Goodman double in the seventh inning, as the Rangers starter tired. Mahle's brilliant run continues, as he now owns a 1.47 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB across 49 innings. He currently lines up to make his next start against the Astros at home this weekend.

Jobe (3-0) yielded a run on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings Monday, striking out seven and earning a win against Boston.

Jobe worked through five scoreless frames before Wilyer Abreu popped a solo homer in the sixth inning. It was Jobe's first win since April 18 and a promising rebound performance after allowing six runs against the Rockies in his last outing. He forced 15 whiffs on 100 pitches but he's displaying the command issues that appeared in the minors last season. Jobe has registered a 27:20 K:BB through 33.1 innings in 2025 and has walked at least four batters in three of his seven outings. He'll carry a 4.32 ERA into his next start, which is projected to be in Toronto this weekend.

Houck (0-3) allowed 11 runs on nine hits and three walks over 2.1 innings while taking a loss against the Tigers on Monday.

Houck coughed up a two-run shot to Gleyber Torres in the first inning and then turned in a scoreless second frame. The third inning was a nightmare, as the Tigers would plate nine runs, including Trey Sweeney's three-run blast. Shockingly, Houck has allowed 11 earned runs twice this season and his ERA jumped from 6.10 to 8.04 after Monday's awful outing. He's delivered three quality starts in nine appearances this season but has failed to complete six innings in any of the other six starts. Still looking for his first win of 2025, Houck is expected to face Atlanta at home this weekend.