MLB Player News

Boyd didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five across 4.2 innings.

The Cubs activated Boyd (biceps) from the 15-day injured list right before Wednesday's start, and the veteran delivered a solid outing before making way for Ben Brown, who earned the win after tossing 2.1 scoreless frames. Boyd couldn't complete five innings and exited after tossing 84 pitches, though he should be ready for a bigger workload in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Padres. Boyd has given up four runs (three earned) on 10.1 innings over his last two outings, which is a clear improvement from an Opening Day start in which he gave up six runs on 3.2 frames against the Nationals.

Brown (1-0) earned the win in relief Wednesday against the Phillies after tossing 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up three hits but striking out five.

Brown tossed 28 of his 37 pitches for strikes, and even though he gave up a double to Trea Turner in his first at-bat, he immediately retired Bryce Harper to close out the fifth inning. Brown also allowed baserunners in the following two innings, but he got the job done after striking out five of the final seven batters he faced. This was Brown's fourth consecutive scoreless outing, a stretch in which he's posted a 9:2 K:BB while allowing seven hits through 8.1 innings.

Walker (1-4) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out one.

Walker pitched in bulk relief after Wednesday's opener, Kyle Backhus, allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning of work. Walker has failed to pitch more than four innings in his last two starts, taking losses to Atlanta and the Cubs while allowing a combined 12 runs (11 earned) on 15 hits and a 5:4 K:BB through eight frames. Walker's next turn in the rotation should come against the Giants at home next week, but it's hard to trust him right now. He's allowed at least four earned runs in four of his five appearances this season while sporting an inflated 9.13 ERA with a 2.07 WHIP through 22.2 innings.

Rodriguez (2-0) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Rodriguez threw 61 of 96 pitches for strikes, but it wasn't a particularly convincing performance. He gave up a pair of solo home runs in this outing, putting him at four homers allowed over five starts this season. Rodriguez is at a 2.89 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB through 28 innings, but he's given up eight runs over his last two starts, so his early luck may be fading fast. The veteran southpaw is projected to make his next start on the road at Milwaukee.

Mahle (1-3) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five over seven shutout innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Mahle delivered his second scoreless outing of the year, and he was dominant while going pitch-for-pitch against Shohei Ohtani. Patrick Bailey delivered the necessary support with a three-run blast in the seventh inning that allowed Mahle to ultimately earn his first win of the season. Even with this performance, Mahle has an uninspiring 5.26 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB across 25.2 innings over five starts this year. He'll need to cut down on the walks to have more repeatable success -- his current 4.9 BB/9 is his highest since the abbreviated 2020 campaign. The right-hander is projected to make his next start on the road in Philadelphia.

Buehler (1-2) allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings to take the loss versus the Rockies on Wednesday.

Buehler's pitch count got up early -- he ended at 82 pitches (47 strikes). That's the third time in five starts that he's failed to complete five innings, and he's fallen short of three frames in two of those contests. The right-hander is sporting an ugly 5.75 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB across 20.1 innings so far. Buehler is likely to remain at the back end of the Padres' rotation for now, though he could be pressured once Lucas Giolito, who signed a one-year contract with San Diego on Wednesday, is deemed MLB ready. Buehler is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Cubs.

Sugano (2-1) allowed a run on five hits and a walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Padres on Wednesday.

Sugano threw 64 of 101 pitches for strikes in this outing. He came up an out short of a quality start, but this is the third time in five appearances this season he's limited an opponent to one run. He also avoided giving up a home run for the first time. Sugano has a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB over 26.1 innings, so he's been more effective than dominant to begin his first year with the Rockies. The right-hander is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Reds.

Perez didn't factor into the decision while working three innings in relief in Wednesday's 8-6 win over Washington. He struck out four and allowed two earned runs on three hits (two home runs) and no walks.

Perez had been lined up to start Thursday's series finale in Washington, but he ended up being pressed into duty in bulk relief after starter Didier Fuentes labored through three innings. The three-inning outing was the shortest appearance of the season for Perez, who still owns an excellent 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB over his first 23.1 frames. While Atlanta could move Perez back into the rotation for their three-game set with Detroit at the beginning of next week, he likely wouldn't be in line for more than one start since Spencer Strider (oblique) appears likely to return from the injured list for next weekend's series in Colorado.

Littell (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits (four home runs) and two walks in six innings. He struck out one.

After serving up the second-most homers in the major leagues a year ago, Littell is being plagued by the long ball once again in 2026. The right-hander tied his career worst in homers allowed Wednesday, and he's now been tagged for multiple big flies in all but one of his first five starts of the year en route to giving up an MLB-high 11 round-trippers so far. Though the Mets rank near the bottom of the majors in homers (17) through their first 24 games, Littell still won't be a recommended fantasy option when he takes a 7.56 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB through 25 frames into his next scheduled start in Queens.

Atlanta is expected to select Carrasco's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Carrasco has made four starts at Triple-A Gwinnett this year and owns a 1.71 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 21 innings. He's now set to make his return to the big leagues but will likely operate in a long-relief role, as Atlanta will have an opening in its bullpen once Dylan Dodd (back) is officially placed on the injured list.