MLB Player News

Phillips allowed four runs on six hits and five walks while striking out six over 4.1 innings for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Phillips is getting rocked in the International League, logging an 8.29 ERA and 2.08 WHIP with as many walks (28) as strikeouts through eight starts. The right-hander, who made his MLB debut last season when the Reds suffered injuries to starters, pitched credibly during Cactus League action, but Phillips is struggling to throw strikes at Triple-A -- he has a 7.1 BB/9 in 19 career outings for the Bats. It doesn't look he's in a position at this stage to help the parent club if the Reds need a rotation fill-in.

Pfaadt came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out nine.

The right-hander generated 30 called or swinging strikes on 93 pitches in one of his best performances of the season, and his only real mistake resulted in a Santiago Espinal solo shot in the fifth inning. Pfaadt extended his quality start streak to four with the effort, a stretch in which he's posted a 3.24 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 24:4 K:BB through 25 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, but he'll face a tough test on the road early next week against the Dodgers.

Abbott came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out four.

A second-inning solo shot by Christian Walker accounted for all the damage off the southpaw, but Brandon Pfaadt was equally effective for Arizona. The quality start was Abbott's third of the season, and he's given up more than two earned runs only once in nine outings to begin the campaign. He'll take a 3.06 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 50 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Padres.

Morton (3-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Cubs, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.

Morton worked a high pitch count, needing 76 pitches (48 strikes) to get through three frames in his shortest outing of the season. He had pitched into the sixth inning in each of his other seven starts. The 40-year-old's poor start caused his ERA to balloon to 3.52 from 3.14, and he's sporting a 1.15 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB over 46 innings. Assuming there's not an injury at play, Morton is tentatively projected for a road rematch with the Cubs in his next start.

Lucchesi (0-1) took the loss against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings.

It certainly wasn't an ideal matchup for Lucchesi to make his first start of the season, and he didn't do himself any favors in issuing four free passes. Three of the walks came in the fifth frame, and all three of the recipients came around to score. The left-hander was also tormented by Bryce Harper, who hit a solo homer against him in the first inning and then sent him to the showers with a two-run double in the fifth. Lucchesi may return to the minors in short order with Tylor Megill (shoulder) expected to rejoin New York's rotation Sunday or Monday.

Suarez (8-0) earned the win over the Mets on Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Suarez allowed a run in each of the first and third frames, but neither run was earned. The left-hander thus lowered his season ERA to 1.37, third best in the majors among qualified starters. Suarez also leads the league with eight victories and a 0.76 WHIP, and he has yet to take a loss. He's among the early contenders for Cy Young consideration in the National League and has been one of fantasy's most impactful sleepers.

King (3-4) took the loss against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven betters over 5.1 innings.

King fell behind when he yielded three runs in the second inning, and San Diego's offense never put up a fight against Austin Gomber and a trio of Rockies relievers. King had been on a roll coming into Wednesday, putting up 13 scoreless frames over his previous two starts, but he's been very inconsistent this season, giving up at least four runs in four of his 10 appearances. Altogether, he's registered a mediocre 4.31 ERA and 1.36 WHIP along with a 61:26 K:BB through 54.1 innings.

Gomber (1-2) earned the win against San Diego on Wednesday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and walked two batters while striking out five.

The only two hits Gomber allowed were singles that the Padres couldn't cash in. The southpaw completed six innings for the fourth straight game and notched his third consecutive quality start. Wednesday's victory was his first of the campaign, but it was overdue based on how he's been pitching of late. Over his past three outings, Gomber has allowed just one earned run across 18.2 frames despite a mediocre 13:6 K:BB.

Assad (4-0) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against Atlanta. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out seven.

Assad has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in all nine of his starts this season, which has allowed him to compile a stellar 1.49 ERA across 48.1 innings. The young righty was effective as a long reliever last year and it was uncertain in spring training if he'd be able to grab a rotation spot, but at this point, it would seem unlikely that he's moved back to the bullpen given his strong play. Assad will look to keep rolling as a starter in his next scheduled outing, which is penciled in for Tuesday against this same Atlanta squad.

Wiggins (elbow) struck out two and allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk over 1.2 innings in his season debut Friday for the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

The No. 68 overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Wiggins didn't pitch last summer while he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he had earlier in the year. Wiggins was fully cleared ahead of the start of the Arizona Complex League season and tossed 33 pitches Friday in his professional debut. The Cubs will likely be cautious with the 22-year-old right-hander's workload this season coming off a major surgery, but he should report to Single-A Myrtle Beach or High-A South Bend after making another appearance or two in rookie ball.