MLB Player News

Morton (3-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander started strong but faded late and fell two outs short of his second straight quality start, exiting after 87 pitches (61 strikes). Morton appears to have turned a corner after a rough April, and over his last three outings he sports a 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB through 16.1 innings.

Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom believes the team "identified a few things" that Kelly might have done to tip his pitches during his most recent start against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly's results against the Dodgers came out of nowhere. He sailed through his first seven starts, posting a 1.71 ERA over 42 innings, before Los Angeles touched him for eight runs in two innings Tuesday. Strom credited the club's analytics department for helping catch what Kelly was doing, which the right-hander addressed during his between-starts session Friday. Kelly is next scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Cubs.

Wainwright (5-3) allowed a run on four hits and three walks while striking out three in seven innings to earn the win over the Pirates on Friday.

Although Wainwright missed a turn through the rotation last week while on the COVID-19 IL, he's performed well since then with back-to-back quality starts. The 40-year-old has now posted four consecutive quality starts, and he's posted a 2.08 ERA in 26 innings during that time. The right-hander will attempt to remain productive in his next start, and he tentatively lines up to take the mound at home against the Brewers on Friday.

Hendricks (2-4) allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings to take the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Hendricks gave up just one run in 14.1 innings over his last two starts, but he had one of his worst outings of the season Friday. Josh Rojas and David Peralta each hit two home runs off him as the right-hander gave up a season-high seven runs. Hendricks has been quite inconsistent early in the season, as he's held the opposition to two or fewer runs in five of his nine starts while giving up at least six runs in three of his outings. He'll attempt to get back on track when he tentatively lines up to face the Reds on the road Wednesday.

Lauer (4-1) allowed five hits through seven scoreless innings Friday, striking out five and earning the victory over Washington.

Lauer bounced back from his first loss of the season in dominant fashion Friday. He allowed just one extra-base hit and danced around a couple of threats by the Nationals. It was his second straight game without issuing a free pass as he improved his K:BB to an impressive 54:8 through 41.2 innings. Lauer will carry a 2.16 ERA into his projected start in San Diego next week.

Heaney (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Heaney threw 15 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday, and he doubled his pitch count during Friday's throwing session. The southpaw is expected to throw at least one more bullpen but will likely have a chance to face live hitters soon as long as his next throwing session goes well.

Strasburg (neck) threw 43 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg threw two simulated innings late last week and continues to get closer to being cleared for a rehab assignment. The right-hander is expected to toss 60 pitches over four innings during his next throwing session, and that could occur with a minor-league affiliate. The Nationals will likely be cautious before activating Strasburg given his injury history, but he's made encouraging progress recently.

Williams will start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Williams made his second start of the season Tuesday and threw 65 pitches over four scoreless frames, and he'll take the mound again Saturday on three days rest. The 30-year-old should remain in the Mets' starting rotation for the foreseeable future given the injuries to Jacob deGrom (shoulder), Max Scherzer (oblique) and Tylor Megill (biceps).

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Kershaw (pelvis) is likely "a couple weeks away" from throwing a bullpen session, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 34-year-old was unable to throw a bullpen session Wednesday as scheduled, and it appears he won't be back on the mound for at least a couple more weeks. Kershaw received an epidural to address the inflammation and soreness he's been experiencing in his right SI joint, and he'll apparently need some time for the injection to help settle things down. Given the time required to build his arm strength back up, the left-hander is now likely to be sidelined until at least the second half of June.

Ashcraft had his contract selected by the Reds on Friday.

Cincinnati placed multiple players on the restricted list Friday who can't travel to Canada, and Ashcraft will join the club to provide bullpen depth. The 24-year-old has started seven games at Triple-A Louisville this season and has a 2.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB over 32.2 innings, but he's not expected to see time in the rotation in Toronto with Luis Castillo, Hunter Greene and Connor Overton lined up to start for the Reds.