MLB Player News

Gore (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on nine hits over six innings against the Phillies. He struck out six and didn't issue a walk.

Gore submitted his sixth quality start of the season but suffered his third loss. The left-hander has avoided a disastrous start thus far and sports quality numbers (3.66 ERA and 1.42 WHIP) over 12 outings, but he hasn't reached his potential yet. Gore's 80:28 K:BB is elite through 64 innings, so if he can find a way to be more efficient and consistent, the 24-year-old could emerge as a top-tier fantasy starter as the season progresses. However, Gore's next start is scheduled for the opener of a three-game set in Atlanta, which should be a tough test for the 2017 first-round pick.

Ashcraft (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing 10 runs on nine hits and four walks over four innings in a 10-8 loss against the Brewers. He struck out two.

Ashcraft allowed a season-high 10 earned runs, marking the fourth time over his past six outings that he's given up at least seven. He's also surrendered eight home runs during that span. It's certainly been a disappointing stretch for the right-hander, who posted a 2.00 ERA and 1.17 over his first six starts (36 innings), but he's not in danger of being demoted anytime soon, especially while the Reds deal with a couple injuries in their rotation. However, things don't get any easier for Ashcraft, who's scheduled to pitch next during the finale of a three-game set versus the Dodgers.

Rea (3-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks across five innings during a 10-8 victory over the Reds. He struck out five.

Rea has picked up a win in each of his last three starts, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16.1 innings during that stretch. Given the litany of injuries to Milwaukee's rotation, the 32-year-old's role figures to be relatively stable moving forward, especially if he continues to submit quality performances. Rea will look to make it four straight wins during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a three-game set versus Baltimore.

The Reds added Abbott to their taxi squad Sunday, and he's expected to enter Cincinnati's rotation during the upcoming week, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati has five healthy starters at the moment, so expect manager David Bell to clarify whether one of those pitchers is moving to the bullpen, the minors or the injured list to clear a spot for Abbott, or if the 24-year-old lefty will become part of a six-man rotation. After earning a promotion to Louisville following a dazzling start to the season at Double-A Chattanooga, Abbott didn't slow down over his seven Triple-A starts, pitching to a 3.05 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 54:14 K:BB in 38.1 innings. The strikeout upside Abbott offers will make him an intriguing speculative pickup in deeper leagues, though he could endure some hiccups in his first exposure to the majors.

Ortiz didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Cardinals, giving up one run on one hit and two walks over two innings. He struck out one.

An hour-long rain delay in the third inning caused Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton to turn to his bullpen rather than risk injury to the 24-year-old right-hander. Even in his brief outing, Ortiz displayed his usual inefficiency while teasing his upside -- he needed 32 pitches to record six outs but generated 10 called or swinging strikes along the way. If he stays on turn, Ortiz should be well-rested for his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Mets.

Montgomery (2-7) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings as the Cardinals fell 4-3 to the Pirates. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw dropped his seventh straight decision, a streak that dates back to April 13, but there wasn't much more he could have done to avoid it. An hour-long rain delay in the third inning didn't shake his focus, as Montgomery kept Pittsburgh off the board through the first four frames, but a Nolan Arenado error in the sixth led to three unearned runs, and the St. Louis offense couldn't climb out of the hole. Montgomery will take a 4.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 60:18 K:BB through 66 innings into his next outing, which is likely to come at home next weekend against the Reds.

Sheehan earned the win for Double-A Tulsa on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings.

Sheehan put up absurd numbers in May, allowing just one run and eight hits over 24.2 innings while posting a 41:10 K:BB. His first start in June was an extension of that dominance, as he racked up 17 whiffs and seven more punchouts. The right-hander's season stats include a 1.64 WHIP, 0.79 WHIP and 15.1 K/9, with his only real flaw being a so-so 3.5 BB/9. Sheehan has improved in that area of late with just six walks over his past 20.1 frames as he continues to emerge as one of the minors' most exciting pitching prospects. He's yet to pitch at the Triple-A level and may not see the majors until next season, but Sheehan is certainly a name to watch and could end up as the most impactful arm among the Dodgers' many young pitching prospects.

Nelson dropped to 2-3 in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks with no strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Nelson's four walks matched his season high, and he needed 98 pitches (64 strikes) to get 14 outs. This was always going to be a tough matchup, and the silver lining is that he didn't get shelled. The 25-year-old is now at a 5.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 37:22 K:BB through 61.2 innings through 12 starts this season. Nelson is lined up for a more favorable road start in Detroit his next time out.

Strider (6-2) allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in six innings, earning the win in Saturday's 5-2 victory over Arizona.

The four walks were a season high, but he was able to work around the free passes despite less-than-dominant stuff. Strider still managed to throw 63 of 99 pitches for strikes, including 15 whiffs. Walk rate is about the only thing he could improve on this year -- he's posted a 3.4 BB/9 so far. Strider owns a 2.97 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 113 strikeouts through 69.2 innings, and He's lined up for a favorable home start against the Nationals next week.

Perez (3-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk over five scoreless innings in a 12-1 win over the Athletics. He struck out five.

Perez made his second consecutive start without allowing a run, moving to 10 straight scoreless innings. Though the 20-year-old has had some struggles with command in the bigs (4.1 BB/9), he has struck out 24 batters in 24 innings of work thus far to go along with a 2.25 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Perez is tentatively expected to face the White Sox and Mariners in his next two starts and should remain firmly in the fantasy conversation.