MLB Player News

Ashcraft (4-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out two.

After allowing a run in the first inning, Ashcraft rebounded to blank the Nats over his final five frames en route to his first win since May 28. The 25-year-old Ashcraft has now delivered consecutive quality starts after pitching to a 12.82 ERA in his previous eight outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with an unsightly 6.28 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 61:35 K:BB across 16 starts (81.2 innings)

Cobb (6-2) allowed six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Mariners.

Cobb hasn't walked a batter over his last two starts since returning from an oblique injury. He wasn't giving up much of anything in a 2-0 win, tossing his fifth scoreless outing in 16 starts this season. The veteran right-hander has a 2.91 ERA despite a 1.34 WHIP, and he's added 86 strikeouts over 89.2 innings. Cobb's next start will likely be during a three-game series versus the Pirates following the All-Star break.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Guardians, allowing five hits and three walks over 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander also hit two batters with pitches and tossed a wild pitch as he managed to get only 57 of his 99 offerings over the plate before exiting. While the scoreless outing was encouraging, Soroka put runners in scoring position during every inning he worked, and it was as much good luck as good pitching that saw him escape unscathed. Atlanta's rotation plans after the All-Star break aren't yet clear, but it seems likely Soroka will get at least one more chance in the majors to continue his long recovery from multiple Achilles injuries.

Stone was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He made a two-inning relief appearance for the Dodgers on Tuesday and is now being replaced with a fresh arm. Stone presumably will be re-inserted into Oklahoma City's rotation.

The Pirates optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Ortiz has surrendered 10 runs over eight innings across his last two starts with Pittsburgh, and he'll now return to Triple-A in order to get back on track. If Ortiz is able to put up numbers similar to his 2.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in Triple-A, he could certainly find himself back in the majors relatively quickly. In the meantime, Yohan Ramirez will come up from Indianapolis to fill Ortiz's roster spot, and it's unclear who will fill the empty spot in Pittsburgh's rotation.

Painter (elbow) threw a bullpen session at the Phillies' spring training complex in Florida on Wednesday, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Painter had to be scratched from a throwing session earlier this week due to stiffness in his right elbow, so it's a great sign that he's already back on the mound. "We'll see how he comes in the next day or two," said manager Rob Thomson. It's not clear when Painter might be ready for a rehab assignment, but the team is still holding out hope that he can be an option for the rotation later this season. He's working his way back from a partially torn UCL.

Anderson (0-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against Houston. He struck out three.

Anderson's struggles continued Wednesday as the right-hander allowed three home runs, two of which came off the bat of Yainer Diaz. The right-hander was unable to make it through five innings for the fifth consecutive start, taking his third straight loss over his last three decisions. Anderson has now allowed at least five runs in each of his last four appearances, raising his ERA to 6.89 on the season.

Woodruff (shoulder) is aiming to throw a bullpen session this weekend, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff had to put a pause on his throwing program last week, but he's made it through a couple of successful flat-ground workouts over the last few days and is about ready to get back on a mound. Sidelined since April 11 due to a Grade 2 subscapular strain, the 30-year-old ace might have a shot to return to the Brewers' rotation around late July or early August if he is able to avoid further setbacks. Woodruff has logged only two major-league starts this season.

Darvish (illness) is lined up to start Friday against the Mets, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Darvish has missed his last couple of turns in the San Diego rotation because of a non-COVID-19-related viral illness, but he's managed to avoid the injured list and is feeling well enough to return to action just before the All-Star break. The 36-year-old right-hander currently stands 5-6 with a 4.84 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 85:25 K:BB through 80 innings (14 starts) this season. He and the Padres will be aiming for a second-half rebound.

Stone was charged with a blown save against the Pirates on Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters over two innings.

Stone was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday and got his first major-league look as a reliever in the fifth inning Tuesday. The right-hander gave up a pair of singles in his first frame but was able to escape trouble; however, he wasn't able to keep Pittsburgh off the scoreboard in the sixth, as the Pirates tallied a run on a trio of singles. Stone has struggled to get runners out in his first taste of the big leagues this season, posting a 12.75 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB over 12 innings.