MLB Player News

Woods Richardson came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 10-8 loss to the Blue Jays, surrendering five runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Twins spotted the right-hander a 4-0 lead by the top of the second inning, but Woods Richardson quickly ran into trouble of his own as half of the eight hits off him went for extra bases, including homers by Bo Bichette and Davis Schneider. Woods Richardson has failed to complete five innings in two of his last three starts, but he'll still carry a respectable 3.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB through 25 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Cleveland.

Javier (neck) dropped to 2-1 on the season in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Tigers after allowing seven runs on five hits and four walks with no strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Javier was activated off the 15-day injured list Saturday to make his first start for the Astros since April 14, but the right-hander didn't look quite right in his return from a neck injury. In addition to getting knocked around for seven runs and throwing only 21 of 50 pitches for strikes, Javier's final two fastballs clocked in at 89.7 miles per hour and 90.2 miles per, well below his typical velocity. It's unclear whether his struggles Saturday are an indication that Javier isn't fully recovered from the neck issue or if he was simply rusty, but he's currently penciled in to make his next start at home against Oakland next Thursday.

Skubal (5-0) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over 6.1 innings.

Skubal continued his run of excellence, recording his fifth straight quality start and picking up his fifth win without a loss on the season. The left-hander has built upon last year's breakout campaign to emerge as one of MLB's top hurlers and Detroit's undeniable staff ace. Skubal ranks seventh among qualified starters with a 2.02 ERA and fourth with a 0.86 WHIP. He's tied for fourth with 60 punchouts over 49 innings.

Littell (2-2) got the victory Saturday versus the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He notched three strikeouts.

Littell came into this outing with zero walks over his last four starts and at least six strikeouts in all of those outings. While he went the other direction in both areas during Saturday's start, it was an effective outing nonetheless. Littell is sitting on a 3.02 ERA, but this was his first win since March 30. His next outing projects to come in Boston.

Cortes (1-4) took the loss Saturday in Tampa Bay, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Cortes had just eight walks all season coming into this outing and half of those came in his first two starts. He issued a season-high three free passes in this one, the first time since April 14 that he didn't go at least six frames. Cortes will try to bounce back his next time out in a favorable projected matchup at home against the White Sox.

Criswell did not factor into the decision Saturday versus the Nationals, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out nine.

Criswell was dinged by a couple solo home runs; one in the second inning by Joey Meneses and another in the fourth hit by Eddie Rosario. Aside from that, Criswell yielded only one other hit, and his nine punchouts were a career high. Criswell was pulled after five with his pitch count at just 79, as the Red Sox are continuing to keep a close eye on his workload as he transitions from the bullpen (he hasn't thrown more than 83 pitches in a start and has yet to record an out beyond the fifth inning). He's been awfully effective when on the bump, though, with his ERA actually going up to 2.10 after Saturday's outing. Criswell is slated to face his former club, the Rays, his next time out.

The Tigers will promote Manning from Triple-A Toledo to start Monday against the Marlins in Detroit, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Manning is set to rejoin the big club after Kenta Maeda was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a viral illness. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a 0-1 record over three major-league starts this season and sports a 4.24 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 17 innings.

Manning will likely rejoin the big-league rotation with Kenta Maeda (viral illness) being placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Jack Flaherty is currently listed as the starter for Sunday's game against the Astros, but given that Manning was scratched from his Saturday start for Toledo, it's possible he could start Sunday, or at least Monday against the Marlins. Manning has a 4.24 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 17 innings through three MLB starts this year.

The Tigers placed Maeda on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a viral illness.

Maeda's ailment may in part explain his struggles in his last start against the Guardians on Tuesday, when he allowed seven runs on five hits across two innings. The veteran right-hander will be on the shelf until at least May 23. The Tigers recalled outfielder Akil Baddoo from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, but Detroit could look to bring up Matt Manning from Triple-A to bolster the rotation in Maeda's absence.

The Athletics recalled Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas ahead of his start against the Mariners on Saturday.

Despite a 2-3 record with a 6.04 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in Triple-A this season, Estes will take to the mound for the Athletics on Saturday in his season debut. The 22-year-old right-hander started in two games for Oakland last season, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 10 innings. To make room for Estes, the Athletics optioned left-hander Easton Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas.