MLB Player News

DeSclafani (0-1) allowed five earned runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four across five innings to take the loss Thursday against the Mets.

DeSclafani gave up all of his runs across the first three innings, including two solo home runs. However, he was in trouble for nearly the entire outing, as he allowed multiple baserunners in three of his five frames. Positively, this was DeScalfani's longest effort of the season, so if he pitches well he should be able to work relatively deep into his next start -- currently projected to come Tuesday at home against Oakland. Through three appearances, DeScalafani has a 6.08 ERA and 13:2 K:BB across 13.1 frames on the campaign.

Carrasco (1-0) allowed two earned runs on four hits and no walks while striking out seven across 7.2 innings to earn the win Thursday against the Giants.

Carrasco had a bumpy second inning, during which he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base and ultimately one run to come around to score. He was excellent otherwise, as he retired 18 straight hitters from the third to seventh innings. Carrasco has worked at least five frames while allowing two earned runs or fewer in each of his three starts this season. All told, he's maintained a 1.47 ERA with a 20:2 K:BB across his first 18.1 frames on the campaign.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras served as a long reliever for the Pirates early in the season, and he logged a 3.52 ERA and 0.91 WHIP while striking out in in 7.2 innings in three appearances. However, he'll head to the minors after right-hander Chase De Jong's contract was selected Thursday. Contreras has served mainly as a starter in the minors and should spend time in the rotation with Indianapolis.

Toussaint was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Toussaint spent just two days on the big-league roster and didn't get into a game. He'll head back to Triple-A to await his next chance, a level where he's struck out 16 batters in 8.2 innings across a pair of starts.

Woodruff tossed six scoreless innings and picked up the win in Wednesday's victory over the Pirates. He allowed just one hit and two walks to go along with nine strikeouts.

Woodruff has turned things around in a big way after allowing seven earned runs in his season debut, going 2-0 over his last two starts while giving up just four hits and posting an 11:3 K:BB over 11.0 innings. Woodruff toed the rubber only once again Pittsburgh last season, but he is set to face them for a second straight start next week.

Kelly (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 11-2 rout of the Nationals, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander saw his scoreless streak to begin the season end at 15 innings, but he still put together another excellent outing in his first quality start of the season, and this time he actually got some run support. Kelly sports a 0.59 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings, and while some regression is clearly due, even his current 1.70 FIP is outstanding.

Keller (0-3) allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out seven across 5.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Brewers.

Keller entered Wednesday's start having walked five batters across only 7.2 innings of work. However, he was consistently in the zone against the Brewers, as 58 of his 75 pitches went for strikes, and he started ahead in the count for 17 of the 20 batters he faced. The overall results followed this improvement, as Keller allowed only a solo home run to Rowdy Tellez in the second inning. Though he still took the loss, this was an encouraging step for Keller, who lines up to make his next start Tuesday at home in a rematch against Milwaukee.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Cardinals, allowing four hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander shut down the Cardinals' offense over 98 pitches (62 strikes), and Alcantara didn't allow a runner to get past second base all night. Unfortunately, the Marlins' bats couldn't get anything going either, and he exited the game in a scoreless tie. Alcantara will take a 1.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 19.1 innings into his next outing.

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Marlins, scattering four hits over five-plus scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

He also hit a batter. The right-hander traded goose eggs with Sandy Alcantara for five frames, but after allowing a single to Garrett Cooper to lead off the sixth, Mikolas got the hook. He tossed 59 of 86 pitches for strikes and generated eight groundball outs without allowing a flyball out. Mikolas has looked very good to begin the season, posting a 1.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 15.1 innings over three starts.

Stroman (0-2) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits across 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Rays. He walked two and struck out seven.

The strikeouts are the only silver lining here, as Stroman struggled for the second straight start. In those outings, the righty has allowed 12 earned runs in just 8.1 innings, which has pushed his season ERA to 8.78. This is of course not what the Cubs expected when they signed Stroman to a three-year, $71 million deal over the winter, but he still has plenty of time to turn things around. The 30-year-old will look to get back on track in his next scheduled start Tuesday against Atlanta.