MLB Player News

Kershaw allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Kershaw looked good through three scoreless frames and carried a 3-0 lead into the fourth. However, the Rays converted a walk and two hits into two runs in that inning before taking the lead on a Harold Ramirez two-run homer in the fifth. Kershaw's outing ended after five frames and 83 pitches, marking the third straight outing during which he's had a relatively early exit. The veteran southpaw has allowed 10 runs over 12.2 innings over that span, pushing his season ERA up to 3.32. Kershaw is still piling up strikeouts -- he has 34 across his past 24.1 frames -- but he's uncharacteristically issued 11 free passes during that span after walking just five batters across his first 38 innings this season.

Henry threw 1.1 scoreless innings of relief against the Red Sox on Saturday, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Henry will still start Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Henry was a bullpen option for the Diamondbacks if Zach Davies needed to exit early, and since Henry needed just 18 pitches to get through the outing while facing only five batters, the left-hander will still be fine to go for Wednesday's start against Colorado.

Velasquez was removed from Saturday's start against Seattle with right elbow discomfort. He allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings with three strikeouts and one walk before exiting, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Velasquez was making his first start since early May, as he was sidelined with inflammation in the same elbow. The right-hander should be considered day-to-day at this stage, but his next start is very much in doubt.

Contreras is expected to move into a bullpen role for the near future, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras still has time to deliver on his prospect pedigree, as he's just 23 years old, but his season so far has been a disappointment. He owns a 4.50 ERA through nine starts, with a 5.44 xFIP and 5.48 SIERA indicating that things could be considerably worse. His 16.4 percent strikeout rate, 10.8 percent walk rate and 35.5 percent groundball rate are all significantly worse than average. There's been no indication that the Pirates intend to permanently move him to the bullpen, but spending at least a few weeks there could help him reset while also help keep his innings in check. He threw 129.1 frames last season, so 150 innings is probably a fair target for this year.

Pfaadt was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Pfaadt was one of the games' more hyped pitching prospects over the offseason, but things haven't gone to plan through his first five big-league starts, as his 8.37 ERA indicates. After posting a 31.2 percent strikeout rate in the upper minors over the last two seasons, his strikeout rate dipped to 16.8 percent upon promotion, and he also allowed eight homers in 23.2 innings. Zach Davies returns from an oblique injury to take Pfaadt's spot in the rotation, and the rookie may have to show some improvement in the minors across multiple starts before being considered for another opportunity.

Davies (oblique) was reinstated from the injured list as expected Saturday ahead of his scheduled start against Boston.

Davies recorded a 5.79 ERA and 7:6 K:BB across a pair of starts at the beginning of the season before suffering an oblique strain. He now owns an even 5.00 ERA over the last three seasons, but he'll nonetheless step back into a rotation role with Brandon Pfaadt taking his 8.37 ERA back to the minors.

Pfaadt does not have a locker in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse, which likely means he's been optioned, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

It would seem several roster moves are imminent. Zach Davies (oblique) is set to return from the injured list and Drey Jameson is said to be with the team, presumably to provide bullpen depth after Pfaadt only went 3.2 innings in Friday's loss. The future is bright for Pfaadt, but he's struggled to keep the ball in the yard in his first cup of coffee, resulting in an 8.37 ERA through five starts.

Ortiz is expected to start Sunday's game against Mariners, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

As delos Santos notes, Roansy Contreras had previously been scheduled to pitch Saturday. However, Vince Velasquez (elbow) was deemed ready to return and Ortiz is apparently getting another chance Sunday, which leaves Contreras' next start TBD. Perhaps the Pirates will go with six arms a turn or two through the rotation. Ortiz had some bumps in the road early but bounced back this week with 7.2 innings of two-run ball against the Rangers.

Urias (hamstring) did not throw off the bullpen mound Saturday as planned, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It's not all bad news, as Urias was able to go through a full workout and throw from flat ground Saturday. However, since he did not resume mound work as expected, this could potentially set his return date back a bit. Manager Dave Roberts said earlier this week that he was "hopeful" to have the lefty back in early June against the Yankees when first eligible.

The Brewers optioned Small to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Small covered three innings behind starter Freddy Peralta in Friday's loss to the Giants, allowing five runs on nine hits. The lefty's ERA now sits at 15.00, and he was going to be unavailable for a few days after Friday's outing, so it only makes sense that the Brewers would swap him out for a fresh arm. Jake Cousins was recalled in a corresponding move.