MLB Player News

Ritchie gave up two hits and two walks over five scoreless relief innings in Friday's loss to the Mets. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander finished out the game after Spencer Strider (forearm) was pulled following a leadoff walk to MJ Melendez in the bottom of the fourth inning while showing greatly diminished velocity. Strider has already been placed on the IL and is being sent for an MRI on Saturday, and Ritchie's impressive relief performance over 73 pitches (42 strikes) makes him the logical candidate to move into the rotation. Over 30.2 innings in the majors this season, Ritchie has a 3.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Boyd (shoulder/knee) played catch without issue Friday, and the Cubs are hoping that the left-hander can progress "rapidly," MLB.com reports.

After building up his pitch count to 80 in his second rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on June 6 while working his way back from a left knee meniscectomy, Boyd appeared poised to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend. However, after he reported shoulder soreness following a bullpen session Tuesday, the Cubs opted to delay his return. Boyd's ability to resume throwing just a few days later suggests the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, but he'll still need to complete another bullpen session without any discomfort before the Cubs sign off on activating him. The Cubs will next require a fifth starter Wednesday versus the Rockies at Wrigley Field, and Javier Assad would be in line to get the ball that day if Boyd isn't cleared to pitch by then.

Atlanta placed Strider on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

Strider was forced to make an early exit from his start Friday due to arm soreness, and although he's now been confirmed to be dealing with an elbow injury, it remains unknown whether his inflammation is the result of a structural issue. He'll sit out for at least a couple of weeks, and a more accurate return timeline should come out once the team determines the severity of his injury. In the meantime, Anthony Molina will come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to give Atlanta some extra bullpen depth until a fifth starter is needed.

Canning (0-5) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs on six hits and five walks over five innings as the Padres fell 7-3 to the Orioles. He struck out six.

The 30-year-old right-hander got tagged for three runs in the first and second innings and served up multiple homers for the third time in his last four starts. Canning's return to California after a one-year stint with the Mets has been a disaster so far -- since coming off the IL in early May, he's stumbled to a 7.17 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 39:22 K:BB in 37.2 innings. With German Marquez (forearm) on the same schedule during his rehab assignment and pitching well, the clock may be ticking on Canning's time in the rotation. He's set to make his next start on the road next week in St. Louis.

Leahy didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins. He allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk across five innings while striking out five.

Leahy tossed only 49 of his 77 pitches for strikes and wasn't involved in the decision for a fourth consecutive outing. He's given up at least three earned runs in three of those starts, so it's hard to rely on him in most fantasy formats, especially since he's also failed to pitch more than five innings in each of those aforementioned four outings. Leahy owns a 4.30 ERA with a 25:12 K:BB since the beginning of May and is slated to make his next start at home against the Padres.

Littell (6-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on four hits and a walk over just 1.2 innings in a 10-2 rout at the hands of the Mariners.

A two-run homer by Colt Emerson in the second inning was the biggest blow as Littell got the hook after 56 pitches (43 strikes). The veteran right-hander had given up two runs or fewer in seven straight outings coming into Friday, but this performance looked more like the struggling pitcher who exited April with a 7.85 ERA. Littell will try to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Royals.

Sasaki (3-4) was tagged with the loss Friday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Sasaki was coming off one of the most dominant outings of his career, striking out 10 across seven shutout innings in a no-decision against the Angels on June 5. However, he couldn't keep it rolling against one of the hottest offenses in the AL. Sasaki seemed to be finding his groove, as he had gone four straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs before Friday. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to come at home against the Rays.

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Marlins, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander didn't have his best stuff, tossing 56 of 90 pitches for strikes with just nine swinging strikes, but Ashcraft limited the damage and left the mound with the score tied 2-2. He's now failed to last longer than five innings in back-to-back starts to begin June after completing at least six frames in all six of his May outings, and fatigue may be creeping up on Ashcraft -- he's already thrown 84.2 innings in 2026 after working a career-high 118 between Triple-A and the majors last season. He'll take a 3.30 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 90:19 K:BB into his next start, which is set to come on the road next week against the A's.

Alcantara (6-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over eight innings in an 8-3 victory over the Pirates. He struck out seven.

The right-hander reached 1,000 career strikeouts along the way, as Alcantara delivered his third straight quality start and 10th of the season on 102 pitches (70 strikes). Through his first three outings in June, he's produced a 2.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 22 innings, showing glimpses of his 2022 Cy Young form. Alcantara will look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

McLean did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks over four innings against Atlanta. He struck out six.

The right-hander threw just 55 of 93 pitches for strikes as he issued at least three walks for a third consecutive start. McLean has limited the damage during that stretch with a 2.40 ERA, potentially due to the fact that he's given up no homers in that span. The recent control issues have yet to bite the 24-year-old in the run column, but it's likely not a recipe for success long term, especially after he posted a 2.8 BB/9 in his first 11 starts of the year. McLean has a 4.01 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 88:31 K:BB across 76.1 innings this season.