MLB Player News

Wacha (2-1) allowed seven runs on 11 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Milwaukee.

Wacha struggled right out of the gate, coughing up four runs on five hits in the first inning. Christian Yelich and Rowdy Tellez each drilled a solo homer against him. Wacha saw his ERA jump to 6.06 alongside a 15:5 K:BB through 16.1 frames. Aside from a strong start against Atlanta -- six shutout innings with 10 punchouts -- he's allowed 11 runs in his other two outings.

Lauer (2-1) allowed one run on five hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Padres.

Milwaukee blew San Diego out with an 11-2 win and Lauer had a 4-0 lead before throwing his first pitch. He kept the Padres quiet until serving up a solo shot to Luis Campusano in the fifth frame. Lauer bounced back nicely after he was tagged for six runs in a loss to St. Louis in his last appearance. The 27-year-old is now sporting a 5.28 ERA and a 15:7 K:BB through 15.1 frames. He's lined up to take the mound in Seattle next week.

Williams gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings Friday against the Guardians. He did not factor in the decision.

Of all places, Williams' best statistical outing of the season was his start last week in Coors Field, where he struck out a season-high four and picked up his lone win. Wins will be hard to come by pitching for the rebuilding Nationals, and he lacks the strikeout upside to be an appealing streaming option on a bad team.

Woodford allowed seven hits and a walk over 5.1 scoreless innings during Friday's win over Pittsburgh. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

Woodford worked his way around trouble, including a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. He gave up nine runs in as many innings through his first two starts and, despite not allowing a run Friday, wasn't particularly effective in his third. He threw 81 pitches, forced just five whiffs and gave up an averaged extra velocity of 96.5 mph. Woodford will carry a 5.65 ERA into his next start, which is currently projected to be at home against the Diamondbacks next week.

Oviedo (1-1) allowed one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out 10 but taking a loss against the Cardinals.

Oviedo rolled through five shutout frames before his former club finally broke a scoreless tie in the sixth. He has been terrific over his last two outings, logging a 15:1 K:BB while allowing just one run across 13.2 innings. He forced 13 whiffs on 44 swings (29.5) and averaged 97.2 mph on his fastball Friday. Oviedo lines up for a start in Colorado next week.

Rea will remain in Milwaukee's rotation and is scheduled to start Tuesday in Seattle, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

With Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) out indefinitely and Aaron Ashby (shoulder) already ruled out for most of the season, the Brewers rotation depth is getting tested early on. Rea, 32, tossed seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and zero walks at Triple-A before giving up one run with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings Thursday in San Diego. His four-seam fastball velocity was around 93 mph in his first start, which is right where it was in 2021 before he went to pitch in Japan for a year, but he's since added an 84-mph sweeper that he threw 22.9 percent of the time Thursday.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday in Florida, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

It was reported earlier this week that he will need at least one minor-league rehab start before coming off the injured list, and Verlander is expected to complete at least two throwing sessions before heading out on a rehab assignment. He appears to be tracking toward a return before the end of the month.

Woodruff (shoulder) had an MRI on Wednesday and remains shut down while doctors determine how best to proceed, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

This was relayed by manager Craig Counsell, and it certainly makes it sound like Woodruff's shoulder inflammation is fairly significant. Colin Rea had a strong spot start Thursday against the Padres and could remain in the rotation indefinitely as long as he keeps his head above water.

Houser (groin) will begin his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Nashville, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser hasn't pitched in a game since exiting a spring training appearance with groin tightness March 25. If all goes well, Houser could return to the Brewers' bullpen within a week or so as a multi-inning reliever.

Wainwright (groin) said Friday that he expects to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Springfield, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Wainwright drew strong reviews after facing live hitters in a simulated setting Friday at Busch Stadium and is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a groin strain he suffered in late March. It's not clear how many rehab starts are lined up for the veteran right-hander, but he'll almost certainly be ready to join the Cardinals' struggling rotation before the end of April.