MLB Player News

Cavalli hasn't pitched since June 16 after complaining of arm soreness, as the Nationals keep an eye on his workload, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The official term from the club is "concerted load management", but whatever you call it, it will result in Cavalli having his turn in the rotation skipped at times during the season. "We're putting the [focus] on playing deep into the season, through the minor league season and being available beyond," Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday. "Because our plan is always to play through October... I think we've kind of adapted that, kind of morphed into that being the best way to achieve the goals. The goal for player development is to develop these guys mentally, physically and emotionally to finish a full major league season." Cavalli has had an up and down campaign for Triple-A Rochester, but he seemed to have turned things around before seeing a drop in his velocity in his most recent outing, posting a 2.17 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 29 innings over his last five starts.

Anderson (6-4) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and four walks over four-plus innings as Atlanta fell 4-1 to the Dodgers. He struck out six.

The 24-year-old right-hander continues to struggle. Anderson has been tagged for at least four runs in five of his last seven starts, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB through 38.1 innings over that stretch as he fights his command both inside and outside the strike zone.

Woodford was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Woodford was sent to Memphis on June 6, and he posted a 4.38 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 12.1 innings over three minor-league appearances since then. The right-hander should provide length out of the Cardinals' bullpen after Genesis Cabrera (undisclosed) was placed on the injured list Saturday.

Urias (5-6) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-1 victory over Atlanta. He struck out nine.

The southpaw reeled off his third straight quality start and seventh of the season, tossing 62 of 94 pitches for strikes, including a dominant 20 swinging strikes. Urias has found another gear, posting a dazzling 1.54 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 23.1 innings through four outings in June and helping stabilize a Dodgers rotation that continues to have trouble staying healthy.

Keller didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five,

Tampa Bay jumped on Keller for three runs in the first inning, but he rebounded in impressive fashion, giving the Pirates a chance to mount a comeback. The right-hander tossed 62 of 96 pitches for strikes before exiting, and since getting stretched back out, Keller has a 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB through 27.1 innings over his last five starts.

Alcantara (7-3) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were downed 5-3 by the Mets, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits over seven innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

While the right-hander gave Miami his usual length, tossing at least seven innings for the ninth straight start, Alcantara uncharacteristically gave up some untimely hard contact. The Mets tagged him for two solo shots, ending a streak of 62 consecutive innings without serving up a homer, but the biggest blow against Alcantara was a bases-loaded double by Francisco Lindor. Despite the stumble, the Marlins' ace still boasts a 1.40 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 63:12 K:BB through 70.2 innings over that nine-start stretch.

Walker (6-2) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander continues to provide some stability to a weakened Mets rotation, posting his third straight quality start with wins in all three. Walker has a 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB through 30.1 innings over five outings in June, but it's his season-long success at keeping the ball in the park that's been his greatest asset -- his 0.41 HR/9 would be by far a career-best mark, and he's only been taken deep in two of 12 starts so far in 2022.

Cobb (3-3) took the loss during Friday's 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Reds, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Cobb surrendered two runs on four hits in the second inning, then was pulled in the fifth with two on and one out after a run scored on an error. Cobb is yet to make it through five innings in two starts since coming off the IL and is averaging 4.2 per start through 10 turns, though his 9.9 K/9 and 3.8 K/BB would both rank in the top 25 if he had enough innings to qualify. The 34-year-old is slated to pitch again versus the White Sox next week.

Ashcraft (4-1) earned the win during Friday's 4-2 victory over San Francisco, allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings.

Coming off two subpar starts, Ashcraft regained his previous form with the best outing of his short career. The 24-year-old was staked to an early lead and cruised through seven easy frames while recording an impressive eight strikeouts despite averaging just 3.2 per start through his first six turns. Manager David Bell opted to stick with Ashcraft for the eighth and the young righty showed poise by inducing a double play and permitting just one run after putting two runners on with none out. He now sports a 3.27 ERA and 1.09 WHIP and is projected to pitch again midweek against the Cubs.

Nola (4-5) took the loss during Friday's 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Padres, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

Nola and MacKenzie Gore engaged in a pitcher's duel and Nola was the first to break when he surrendered an Austin Nola RBI single in the sixth that proved to be the difference. The 29-year-old tossed 70 of 98 pitches for strikes with a whopping 18 of the swinging variety in matching a season best with 10 strikeouts. It seemed Nola had put the poor luck behind him as Philadelphia reigned in each of his last five starts; however, Nola has permitted just one run in 15 innings over his last two turns and doesn't have a win to show for it. He's slated to take the mound next against Atlanta midweek.