MLB Player News

Falter (0-2) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk over 4.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out four.

While Falter turned in decent performances in his first two starts, this one left plenty to be desired. The California native has been unable to complete the sixth inning through three starts and has a 4.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB over 15 innings. His next turn through the rotation tentatively lines up for early next week against the White Sox.

Lodolo (2-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings in a 6-2 win over the Phillies. He struck out six.

Lodolo has now allowed just four earned runs in 17 innings this season, good for a 2.12 ERA. While that figure will likely increase as the season goes on, especially given his 1.41 WHIP, the former first-round draft pick has lived up to his billing after a strong rookie campaign last year. Lodolo lines up for a tough matchup against the Rays early next week.

Rea tossed 5.2 innings against San Diego on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out six batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Rea was called up from Triple-A for a spot start to face the club he pitched for in 2015 and 2016. The right-hander did about as well as the Brewers could have hoped, allowing just a single run (on a Manny Machado solo homer) over 5.2 frames. Rea spent the 2022 season in Japan and signed a minor-league deal with Milwaukee during this past offseason, and he got the opportunity to start Thursday with Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) on the IL and the Brewers opting to give their other starters an extra day of rest. It remains to be seen if he'll get another turn in the rotation -- even if he does, he's a risky fantasy play given his career 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

Montgomery fell to 2-1 in a loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday. He completed 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Montgomery continued his strong start to the season, picking up his second straight quality start and holding the Pirates scoreless through his first five frames. Pittsburgh finally got to him for a run in the sixth, and the southpaw was lifted after allowing two straight one-out singles in the seventh. One of those hitters came around to score, and Montgomery was ultimately charged with the loss since St. Louis couldn't offer any runs in support of him. Despite the defeat, Montgomery has been a strong fantasy asset through three starts this season, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB across 18.1 frames.

Velazquez (1-2) earned the win over St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six scoreless innings.

Velasquez turned his left ankle in his previous start against the White Sox on Saturday, though the issue was never considered serious enough to impact his ability to make his scheduled start Thursday. It didn't appear that the ankle bothered the veteran righty at all against the Cardinals, as he picked up his first win and quality start of the campaign while helping Pittsburgh improve to 8-5 with six shutout frames. Velasquez racked up an impressive 18 swinging strikes in the contest, one shy of his career high, per Joe Block of the Pirates' broadcast team. Despite the excellent outing, it's hard to justify Velasquez as a target in fantasy, as he struggled in his first two appearances of the campaign and hasn't posted a season ERA better than 4.12 in any of his nine big-league campaigns to date.

Musgrove (toe/shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It was originally suggested that Musgrove could make a final rehab start Friday before joining the big-league rotation. However, he'll throw a bullpen session first, and assuming everything goes well will then make his final rehab outing before being activated from the injured list. The news likely pushes Musgrove's return back slightly, but he should still return comfortably before the close of April.

Wainwright (groin) will face live hitters Friday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Lars Nootbaar (thumb) will be one of those hitters. Wainwright has been sidelined since he strained his groin during a weight training session with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but he could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week and appears on track to join the Cardinals' rotation before the end of April.

Butto is a candidate to join the Mets' rotation on the club's west coast road trip, which begins Friday in Oakland, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The trip runs through April 23 and also includes matchups with the Dodgers and Giants. DiComo notes the Mets have been discussing adding a starter to give every other member of the rotation an extra day of rest during the swing out west, which doesn't include any scheduled off days. Butto, 25, has pitched to a 1.86 ERA and 8:5 K:BB in 9.2 innings (two starts) this season with Triple-A Syracuse. He was scratched from his next scheduled start there Friday, presumably in anticipation of a promotion to the big leagues.

Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Thursday.

It was announced Tuesday that Anderson would require the reconstructive elbow procedure for a tear of his right ulnar collateral ligament. The 24-year-old will be sidelined will miss the rest of the season and is likely to be out until at least next summer.

Junk was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Junk was lit up for five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings in a spot start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. Colin Rea has been recalled in a corresponding move and is starting Thursday night in San Diego.