MLB Player News

Butto earned a save against the Nationals on Wednesday, striking out two batters over 1.1 perfect innings.

Butto entered in the top of the eighth inning with a runner on base and two outs. He retired Lane Thomas on a strikeout to keep the Mets ahead 5-2, then watched as New York added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame. Since closer Edwin Diaz would no longer be entering in a save situation, Butto remained in the contest for the ninth and retired all three batters he faced to clinch his first save as a major leaguer. The right-hander's first seven outings this season came as a starter, but he's now made three appearances out of the bullpen since being called up July 2 and has picked up two wins and Wednesday's save while tossing five scoreless frames.

Severino (6-3) earned the win over Washington on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 6.1 innings.

Severino surrendered a season-high seven runs over six frames in his previous start, but he rebounded Wednesday with a much more effective outing. The veteran hurler didn't give up any extra-base hits and held the Nationals scoreless outside of the fourth inning. Severino notched his eighth quality start of the campaign but just his second over his past five appearances. While he's been up-and-down this season and is on pace for a career-low strikeout rate, Severino has given the Mets plenty of length, going at least six innings in 12 of his 18 starts, including in each of his past seven.

Myers (6-3) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out six over eight shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Pirates.

This is the second time in 14 appearances (13 starts) this season Myers has managed to toss eight scoreless frames, having also done so versus the Tigers on June 7. The right-hander has a quality start in five of his last seven outings. He's pitched to an excellent 3.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 62:20 K:BB through 72 innings. Joe Ross (back) may be able to return to the Brewers' rotation in late July, but Myers looks to have done enough to keep a starting role throughout the campaign.

Perez (1-5) allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Perez gave up two runs in the first inning, and his start was punctuated by a Rhys Hoskins solo home run in the fifth. Consistency has been an issue for Perez since he returned from a groin injury -- he's given up 12 runs over 16 innings since his return, though he's allowed just two homers over three starts in that span. The veteran southpaw is at a 5.15 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 57:25 K:BB through 73.1 innings over 14 starts this season.

Graceffo dropped to 0-1 in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss to the Royals in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.

Graceffo tossed 4.1 frames and gave up just one run in his major-league debut June 29, but he worked in long relief in that outing. The right-hander wasn't as effective Wednesday in his first big-league start, though he yielded just one run on two hits through three innings. Kansas City notched back-to-back hits against Graceffo to begin the fourth, however, and he was pulled after a sacrifice fly yielded the Royals' second run. Another tally was charged to his ledger after his departure, and the Cardinals were never able to take the rookie off the hook for the loss. Graceffo served as the team's 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll likely be headed back to Triple-A Memphis in short order.

Montas (4-7) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings to take the loss versus the Rockies on Wednesday.

Montas gave up a pair of home runs to Sam Hilliard, accounting for three of the five runs on his line. The five runs allowed matched a season high for Montas, who had not given up that many since May 12, while his seven innings also equaled his season high. The right-hander is now at a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 69:35 K:BB through 84.1 innings across 17 starts.

Freeland (1-3) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out nine over 6.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Reds.

Freeland has looked much stronger since returning from a left elbow strain that sidelined him for over two months. He's logged four straight quality starts, and Wednesday saw him dial up a season-high nine strikeouts. His rough start to the year is still having a significant impact on his season-long numbers -- 6.00 ERA and 1.62 WHIP -- but he's posted a 30:13 K:BB through 42 innings over eight starts. With his first win of the year finally secured, Freeland has some momentum heading into the second half.

Imanaga (8-2) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Orioles. He allowed six hits and a walk, while striking out six.

Imanaga finished the first half of the season in style, as he allowed zero runs in a start for the seventh time already this year. The lefty got off to a blazing start in his MLB debut, posting a 0.84 ERA across his first nine outings, before enduring a few lumps since then. However, he has a solid 3.00 ERA over his last three starts and 2.97 ERA overall, giving him some momentum heading into his All-Star appearance next week. Imanaga is tentatively set to take the mound again for the Cubs on July 20 against the Diamondbacks.

King (7-6) took the loss against the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over six innings.

King allowed three hits and a run in the fourth inning but was otherwise fantastic, generating 13 swinging strikes on 91 pitches. He was sitting about one mph above his season averages on most of his offerings and has now yielded one earned run in each of his past three starts. The 29-year-old will take a 3.41 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 129:42 K:BB into the All-Star break.

The Reds voided Ashcraft's option to Triple-A Louisville and instead placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right elbow strain, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 26-year-old was demoted after giving up a run on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Sunday versus Detroit, but he'll end up making his way to the injured list rather than Louisville. According to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds GM Nick Krall said Wednesday that Ashcraft began experiencing the tightness about a week ago and attempted to pitch through the issue before being optioned. The right-hander will be shut down from throwing for at least the next two weeks and will need multiple weeks beyond that to build his arm back up.