MLB Player News

Contreras (3-6) took the loss in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs. He allowed five runs on three hits and two walks with a strikeout over 1.1 innings.

Contreras initially looked good in his debut out of the bullpen, setting the Cubs down in order in the fifth inning. However, his fortunes changed in the sixth as he was tagged for five runs in the frame while recording just one out. Since the start of June, Contreras has allowed 17 earned runs in just 5.2 innings. His ERA is up to 6.55 with a 1.60 WHIP and 44:27 K:BB through 57.2 innings this season. If Contreras continues to struggle in a relief role, a trip to Triple-A could be on the horizon.

Snell (ankle) is listed as the Padres' probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rays.

Snell contended with swelling in his left ankle after being struck by a comebacker during his most recent start Sunday in Colorado, but neither the injury nor pitching at Coors Field prevented him from delivering his best outing of the season. The veteran southpaw set season highs in both innings pitched (seven) and strikeouts (12) while allowing one run on just three hits and one walk. After a middling start to the season, Snell has been rolling over his last four turns through the rotation, pitching to a 0.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB in 24 innings over that stretch. With the swollen ankle apparently not proving to be too bothersome during his between-starts bullpen session, Snell looks like he'll face no restrictions Saturday while facing off against his former team for the first time.

Kelly didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings in a 4-3 extra-inning loss to Philadelphia. He struck out seven.

Kelly recorded his eighth quality start over his past nine appearances. During that span, he's posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 64:17 K:BB across 56.2 innings. Given his strikeout prowess (9.7 K/9) and efficiency (83 innings across 14 starts), Kelly has emerged as one of the elite fantasy options this season. He'll look to stay sharp during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled as part of a three-game set versus Milwaukee.

Smyly (6-4) earned the victory in Wednesday's 10-6 win over Pittsburgh, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings.

The Pirates jumped on Smyly for three runs on a pair of homers in the first inning, but the veteran left-hander settled down from there, holding Pittsburgh to two more runs over his final five frames as the Cubs came back for a 10-6 win. The win snapped a three-start losing streak for Smyly, who's pitched to a 6.04 ERA over his last four outings after he hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in his previous nine starts. He now sports a 3.59 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB through 14 starts (77.2 innings) this season.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Arizona after allowing four hits and two walks across seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Suarez tossed his first scoreless outing of the campaign and notched his fourth straight quality start. During that stretch, the left-hander has allowed just four runs over 26.2 innings and has a 22:7 K:BB. He's clearly found a groove recently after looking shaky across his first three outings, and he appears to have completely put the elbow issue that cost him the start of the campaign behind him. Suarez will look to stay sharp during his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled as part of an upcoming three-game set versus Atlanta.

Ashcraft is nearly fully healed from the left calf contusion which sent him to the injured list, MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft will test out the calf with some running soon and, assuming he gets through that with no issues, will be cleared to throw off a mound. The right-hander could need three bullpen sessions before making a return sometime around when he's first eligible June 24, though he could also require a minor-league rehab assignment.

Lively (4-4) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings in a 7-4 victory over Kansas City. He struck out four and didn't record a walk.

Lively had surrendered five home runs and 12 total runs over his past two starts, so Wednesday's bounce-back outing was certainly a step in the right direction. He's made eight appearances this year (six starts) and holds a 4.07 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The right-hander's 41:9 K:BB through 42 innings stands out, so if he can avoid giving up the long ball, Lively could have solid fantasy value moving forward, especially while Graham Ashcraft (calf) and Nick Lodolo (lower leg) are on the injured list.

DeSclafani did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over three innings against the Cardinals. He struck out seven.

Things were looking good for DeSclafani early on after the right-hander struck out the side in the first inning to kick things off. He was unable to carry that momentum into the next frame, however, giving up singles to three of the first four batters he faced before surrendering a grand slam to Tommy Edman to put San Francisco in an early hole. DeSclafani was fortunate to escape with a no-decision after losing five of his last six decisions coming in, and he's now allowed 12 runs through three starts this month.

Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The 40-year-old righty dueled Gerrit Cole to a 1-1 tie through six frames before both aces handed things off to their bullpens. Verlander continues to alternate sharp performances with shaky ones -- he has four quality starts in eight trips to the mound this year but has yet to produce two in a row, and he's surrendered 16 runs in 13 innings during his last three off starts. He'll try to break that pattern in his next outing, likely to come early next week in Houston.

Gomber (4-6) took the loss Wednesday as the Rockies were downed 6-3 by the Red Sox, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over six-plus innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw was nursing a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning, but back-to-back singles chased Gomber from the game, and he had to watch the bullpen melt down behind him. The quality start was his first in over a month and fifth of the season, but he's also had six outings in which he coughed up five runs or more. Unsurprisingly, most of the disasters have come at home -- he sports a 4.60 ERA on the road, but a 9.40 mark at Coors Field. Gomber's next start will likely come early next week in Cincinnati.