MLB Player News

Kelly believes he's figured out an issue with his mechanics ahead of Wednesday's start against the Reds, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly has allowed 16 earned runs in 17 innings over his last four starts, including an outing at Dodger Stadium in which he allowed eight runs in two innings. He pitched brilliantly prior to that stretch, posting a 1.71 ERA over 42 innings and seven starts. "I think more than anything it's a feel thing," Kelly said. "My timing has been a little bit off as far as mechanics. But the last week, with my bullpen (Monday), has been a lot better. It's been a lot easier to command stuff. It's been going where I want it to." A common thread in the four recent outings has been walks -- he's issued 13 free passes in those 17 innings. When the right-hander was cruising, 68 percent of his pitches were strikes compared to 60 percent during the recent four-game run. Kelly enters Wednesday's game confident he'll get back to attacking hitters as he had earlier in the season.

Ashcraft (3-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after allowing three hits with four strikeouts and zero walks over six scoreless innings.

The rookie right-hander threw 51 of his 76 pitches for strikes and generated 10 swinging strikes while holding Arizona to only three baserunners. Ashcraft has now won his past three starts, and he's given up only a single run over 19.1 innings during that stretch. The 24-year-old has a 1.14 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 23.2 frames through the first four outings of his MLB career.

Rodon allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four innings, taking a no-decision Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Rodon was brutally inefficient, needing 98 pitches to complete four frames in his second-shortest start of the year. He's still allowed more than two runs only twice in his 11 outings this season, but the southpaw has now gone without a win in his last five games. He's at a 3.51 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 75:22 K:BB through 59 innings this season. Rodon will aim to pitcher deeper into his next start, tentatively scheduled to be a home showdown with the Dodgers this weekend.

Marquez (2-5) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in six innings, earning the win Tuesday versus the Giants.

Marquez submitted his first quality start in his last four outings with this effort. All three runs he allowed came in the first inning -- Wilmer Flores tagged him for a two-run home run and Luis Gonzalez added an RBI single. Marquez's struggles have largely been at home, and Tuesday's start was just his fourth away from Coors Field this season. He has a 6.49 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 53:22 K:BB through 61 innings. He tentatively lines up for another road start in San Diego this weekend.

Darvish (5-3) hit three batters and allowed two hits while striking out six over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mets on Tuesday.

All three hit batters came in the first two innings, and Darvish carried a no-hitter into the sixth before allowing a single to Mark Canha. This was the fourth time in his last six starts Darvish has gone at least seven innings, though this was arguably his best outing of the season despite the early lack of control. The right-hander now owns a 3.61 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 54:15 K:BB in 67.1 innings across 11 starts this season. He'll look to keep going strong in Chicago versus the Cubs next week.

Walker (3-2) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.

The Mets recorded only five baserunners (two hits, three hit batters), giving Walker virtually no help in the contest. It's the second start in a row the right-hander has received insufficient support, though his four runs allowed were also the most he's given up since May 5. He's generally pitched well with a 3.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25:15 K:BB across 46.2 innings in nine starts this year. Walker will look to get back on track in a tough home matchup versus the Brewers next week.

Suarez tossed seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out five in Tuesday's win over the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.

Suarez was effective Tuesday, limiting the Brewers to six baserunners. He allowed an RBI double to Andrew McCutchen in the first frame and another one to Rowdy Tellez later in the fourth inning before tossing three more scoreless frames. The seven-inning outing tied his longest start of the season and he has now given up four runs over 11.1 frames in his last two outings after giving up five runs in 4.1 innings to the Braves on May 25. Suarez owns a 4.42 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 47 punchouts over 55 innings in 11 starts this year.

Quintana (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against Detroit, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five in 3.1 innings.

Quintana allowed one hit in his first time through the lineup but fell apart after that, allowing seven of the next nine batters to reach safely. It was his shortest start and marks the first time he's given up four earned runs in a start this season. The lefty has failed to complete five innings in five of his 11 starts.

Alexander pitched five innings, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out one in the loss to the Phillies on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Alexander surrendered a sacrifice fly to Bryce Harper in the top of the third inning, accounting for the only run against him Tuesday. He has now pitched 12 innings over his first two career starts, giving up just three runs combined. With Brandon Woodruff (ankle) expected to return soon, Alexander may not get another turn in the rotation before returning to Triple-A Nashville, but he has certainly earned more opportunities down the line.

Manager Buck Showalter said he's considering Megill (biceps) to start Friday or Saturday against the Angels, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander linked up with the Mets on the road trip Monday and is poised to rejoin the starting rotation after one rehab outing with Double-A Binghamton. Megill covered 3.2 innings during that start, so he'll likely face some workload limitations in his first game back from the biceps tendinitis that's sidelined him for the past month.