MLB Player News

Mikolas allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters over seven innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Mikolas dominated Los Angeles in the first five frames, allowing just three hits and no runs. The Dodgers finally got to him when J.D. Martinez hit a game-tying three-run homer in the sixth, but Mikolas bounced back to retire the final six batters he faced. Though he had to settle for a no-decision, this was the right-hander's longest outing of the campaign and his third quality start. He's given up three or fewer runs in each of his seven starts since April 16, posting a 2.90 ERA over 40.1 innings during that span.

Lauer (4-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over three innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out two.

Lauer had troubles with the long ball Saturday, giving up homers to Harold Ramirez in the first, Yandy Diaz in the second and Christian Bethancourt in the fourth to tie his season high in runs allowed. Saturday's outing also marked Lauer's third straight appearance giving up multiple home runs while being the first time all season he struck out less than four batters. Though Lauer struggled with one of the top offenses in baseball, he should have a much easier time in his next projected start when he takes on the Giants, who strike out 9.6 times per game.

Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

Pfaadt made it through his fourth big league start relatively unscathed, with all three earned runs coming on one swing of the bat by Ke'Bryan Hayes, who drilled a bases-loaded triple in the third inning. After giving up 13 runs and six homers over his first two appearances (9.2 innings) Pfaadt has bounced back with four earned runs and one homer allowed over his last two starts (10.1 innings). After touting 218 strikeouts in 167 innings of minor-league ball in 2022, fantasy managers who took a shot on the highly ranked prospect have yet to reap any real benefits in that department considering Pfaadt's measly 14:8 K/BB and 7.56 ERA through 20 innings of big league work. Though it's unclear if Pfaadt will make another trip around the Arizona rotation, he remains no more than a dart-throw streaming option for those willing to take another chance on the rookie's strikeout upside and prospect pedigree.

Keller did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits over six innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out eight.

Keller worked his way through the Diamondbacks' lineup with relative ease, retiring 16 straight batters after allowing a solo homer to Ketel Marte in the first inning, racking up eight strikeouts without walking a single batter. Keller has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past month, allowing just five earned runs over his last five starts (33.0 innings), picking up four wins and boasting an incredible 47:3 K/BB over that stretch. The right-hander was on his way to picking up another win Saturday, handing the ball off to the bullpen with a 3-2 lead after six innings, but he had the win spoiled after Pavin Smith launched a two-run home run off Robert Stephenson to give Arizona the lead in the seventh. Keller is slated to take the mound next in a road series against the Mariners, who strike out at the second-highest rate in MLB.

Hendricks (shoulder) allowed one run on five hits and zero walks while striking out six over six innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Hendricks threw 82 pitches in the contest as he continues to work on building back his stamina as he recovers from the shoulder strain that has sidelined him throughout the 2023 season. The veteran right-hander should be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start with the Cubs, though the organization has yet to confirm his next step. If activated, Hendricks would likely make his 2023 MLB debut next weekend versus Cincinnati.

Fried (forearm) has been able to lift weights, but there's been no sign he's close to resuming throwing, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Fried hit the injured list in early May with a strained left forearm, and while he's yet to be placed on the 60-day injured list, initial reports suggested he'd miss at least two months. It's a positive to see him beginning to work his way back, but manager Brian Snitker didn't know when the lefty was set to be re-evaluated, so it doesn't appear as though he's about to be cleared to throw in the immediate term.

Webb left Saturday's start against the Marlins with lower back tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Webb fired six scoreless innings while allowing four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts before he was removed from the contest. The right-hander told reporters he doesn't expect to miss his next start and that he's not scheduled to undergo an MRI at this point. It's certainly something to pay close attention to, but it does appear for now that Webb will be good to roll next week.

Liberatore will be available out of the bullpen against the Dodgers on Sunday but is still expected to start sometime next week if he isn't needed in relief, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Clear messaging hasn't been a strength of the Cardinals organization this season, and Liberatore's situation is the latest case. He impressed in the minors as well as in his season debut for the big-league club Wednesday against the Brewers, though it wasn't initially clear that he was up for anything more than a spot start. The Cardinals would have to go to a six-man rotation to fit him in permanently, and while manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Thursday that Liberatore would indeed remain a starter, that now seems to be less than a lock. Even if Liberatore does wind up pitching in relief Sunday and temporarily taking himself out of rotation consideration, however, he shouldn't have to wait too long to make his next start, as the Cardinals are seemingly impressed by his performance this season.

Urias was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Dodgers on Saturday with a left hamstring strain, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Urias struggled in his start Thursday against the Cardinals while allowing six runs in just three innings, and it's possible the hamstring injury was partially responsible for the issues. The left-hander is now scheduled to miss at least two weeks while recovering. Wander Suero will take Urias's place on the roster, but the Dodgers will need to add a new starter to the roster in the coming days. It could be Gavin Stone or Michael Grove -- or possibly both -- with Dustin May (elbow) also out of action.

The Brewers recalled Rea from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Rea takes the place of J.B. Bukauskas on the active roster after Bukauskas was placed on the 15-day injured list with a cervical strain. Rea has been mediocre with Milwaukee this year, as seen in a 5.52 ERA over 31 innings in seven appearances (six starts), but he could be in line to make multi-inning appearances for the Brewers in this stint due to the lack of available options for the Milwaukee pitching staff due to injury.