MLB Player News

Ashcraft (4-3) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over the Dodgers.

It wasn't a very sharp outing, but Cincinnati's offense did enough to lift Ashcraft to a victory. Most of the damage came during a four-run second inning before Will Smith belted a solo shot in the fifth. Ashcraft has allowed at least three runs while going fewer than six innings in four straight starts, resulting in a 6.52 ERA during that span. His season ERA is up to 4.67 with a 43:19 K:BB through 10 starts. He's currently in line for a road start against the Cubs next week.

Atlanta optioned Vines to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Vines was recalled from Triple-A on Monday to give Atlanta additional bullpen depth, and he will now head back to the minors after allowing six earned runs in three innings during Friday's loss to the Pirates. The 26-year-old righty owns a 7.82 ERA through 12.2 big-league innings but could still provide depth for the big-league staff later in the year.

Mikolas and the Cardinals won't play the Cubs on Friday due to inclement weather, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cubs and Cardinals will make up Friday's game as part of a doubleheader July 13. Meanwhile, Mikolas' next start will be pushed back to Saturday, per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat.

Gore (3-4) earned the win Friday over Seattle, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over seven innings. He struck out eight.

After allowing a home run to J.P. Crawford to lead off the game, Gore rebounded to blank the Mariners over his final six frames. It's the third straight quality start for Gore and the first time he's made it through seven innings this season. The 25-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA to 3.04 with a 1.29 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB over 53.1 innings. Gore will look to stay hot in his next start, currently slated for a tough road matchup in Atlanta.

Imanaga and the Cubs won't play the Cardinals on Friday due to inclement weather, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Thursday's contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader July 13, and Imanaga's next outing will be pushed back to Chicago's upcoming series in Milwaukee early next week, per Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Falter (3-2) earned the win Friday over Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over 7.1 innings. He struck out four.

Ronald Acuna broke up Falter's shutout bid with a three-run homer in the eighth. The southpaw has pitched into the eighth inning in back-to-back outings while delivering three straight quality starts, lowering his ERA to 3.55 with a 0.98 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 10 starts (58.1 innings) this season. Falter's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Blue Jays in his next outing.

Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain Friday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Friday, though a Grade 2 strain likely means a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. The 21-year-old righty was called up Thursday to make a spot start against the Cubs, and Atlanta's pitching needs will likely dictate whether he remains in Atlanta or heads to Triple-A Gwinnett once he returns from the IL -- likely sometime in July.

Gray (elbow) will throw a two-inning live batting practice Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gray continues to recover from a flexor strain in his right elbow that has kept him out of action since April 4. His session Saturday is the next step in his throwing program, and if all goes well, the Nationals could look to send the 26-year-old right-hander on a rehab assignment.

Ray (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray began throwing bullpen sessions during spring training, but Saturday will mark the first time he has faced hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. The 32-year-old southpaw still isn't expected to pitch for the Giants until around the All-Star break, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. He will throw a few additional rounds of live BP before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, at which point a firmer return date could become clear.

Wicks (forearm) is making a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wicks started throwing off a mound a week ago and has made it through several bullpen sessions without a setback. He may need to make one or two additional starts at Iowa before rejoining the Cubs. Wicks owns a 4.70 ERA across five starts this season with Chicago.