MLB Player News

Suarez (2-0) earned the win over Pittsburgh on Thursday, tossing six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters.

Suarez didn't allow any extra-base hits in the dominant outing, and the Pirates didn't get any runners to third base against him. The southpaw racked up a season-high eight punchouts and recorded his second straight quality start. Suarez has been great through three appearances this season, posting a 2.65 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 17 innings. It's a small sample size, but it's promising that he's also cut his walk rate significantly compared to last season, as he's walked just three batters over those 17 frames thus far.

Elder is a top candidate to fill Atlanta's vacant rotation spot, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta needs to fill the rotation spot of Spencer Strider (elbow), and there are a number of candidates to step into the role. Elder experienced plenty of success in the majors last year, as he posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 173.2 innings. He faded down the stretch, however, and then failed to secure a rotation spot out of spring training. The team's current plans should become clearer this weekend, as Elder is currently expected to start Saturday for Triple-A Gwinnett, which would in turn make him unavailable to start Tuesday for Atlanta. Dylan Dodd is the other top candidate for a promotion, while Darius Vines is also in the mix.

Dodd is among the top candidates to make a spot start for Atlanta on Tuesday against the Astros, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Dodd had a tough start Thursday night for Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing five earned runs across 4.2 innings while allowing six hits and two walks to go along with five strikeouts. However, he pitched well in two prior outings with Gwinnett, putting himself in the conversation for a promotion. His start Thursday notably puts him on turn with the vacated spot in the big-league rotation. Darius Vines and Bryce Elder are also vying for the job, and they are scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday, respectively, for Gwinnett. If either is scratched, it could be an indication that they will get the call in place of Dodd.

Walker (shoulder) allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out four across four innings during a rehab appearance with Single-A Clearwater on Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Walker is expected to make four rehab appearances, with Thursday's start being the first. While he was able to work deep into the game, he sat at 91 mph with his fastball -- 1.7 mph below his average from 2023. Walker projects to return from the injured list in early May.

Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The move comes immediately after Winans was torched for seven runs (six earned) over five innings in a loss to the Mets. Atlanta will need a starter again next week to fill the spot vacated by Spencer Strider (elbow). Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines, Dylan Dodd and Hurston Waldrep are candidates to step in.

Winans (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Mets, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out one.

The Mets got to Winans quickly Thursday, scoring three runs in the first two innings before putting up a four spot in the third. Winans would ultimately tough out five innings, though Atlanta couldn't climb out of the early 7-0 hole, leaving the 28-year-old right-hander with the loss. Winans made six starts for Atlanta as a rookie in 2023, going 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 34:8 K:BB. While he may have a chance to stick in the rotation with Spencer Strider (elbow) presumably out long-term, Atlanta could turn to top prospects AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep if Winans continues to struggle.

Quintana (1-1) earned the win Thursday over Atlanta, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Quintana held Atlanta scoreless while allowing just one hit through his first four innings. The left-hander would surrender three runs in the fifth, but the Mets provided more than enough run support in an eventual 16-4 victory. Quintana's gotten off to a nice start this year, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his first three outings despite consistent traffic. He sports a 3.45 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB through his first 15.2 innings. Quintana is currently in line for a home matchup with the Pirates early next week.

Peralta and the Brewers won't face the Reds on Thursday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in CIncinnati.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 30. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the Brewers will push each of their starting pitchers back one day in the pitching schedule as a result of the postponement, so Peralta will take the hill for Friday's series opener in Baltimore.

Martinez and the Reds won't face the Brewers on Thursday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in CIncinnati.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 30. Martinez had been slated to start Thursday's series finale, but it's unclear if he'll get pushed back one day in the schedule to start Friday's series opener in Chicago versus the White Sox. The Reds are set to get Nick Lodolo (calf) back from the 15-day injured list this weekend, and manager David Bell has yet to confirm whether Cincinnati will expand the rotation to six men to accommodate the left-hander or if the team will stay with a five-man starting staff and move another pitcher to the bullpen or Triple-A Louisville. Martinez, Andrew Abbott or Graham Ashcraft would be the pitchers most likely to lose out on a starting role if Bell elects to keep a five-man rotation intact once Lodolo returns.

Hicks (2-0) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 7-1 victory over the Nationals. He struck out two.

The right-hander wasn't dominant, managing only seven swinging strikes among his 79 pitches, but Hicks didn't give up much hard contact aside from a Joey Gallo solo shot in the second inning. Hicks has produced two straight quality starts, and through three outings and 18 innings to begin the season he's delivered a sparkling 1.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up for a road tilt in Miami early next week.