MLB Player News

Lorenzen (2-2) earned the win Friday against the Mets, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters in seven innings.

Lorenzen had his longest outing of the season Friday, throwing seven strong innings and allowing just one run in by far his best start of the year. The 34-year-old hasn't struck out more than four batters in a start this season, and that streak continued Friday, but the right-hander didn't walk anybody and worked through seven innings on just 90 pitches by pitching to contact. Despite the strong start, his season-long numbers still are a bit inflated, as he holds a 5.97 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP in 28.2 innings on the season. His next start is scheduled for Thursday against the Reds.

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits with one strikeout across 3.2 innings.

Mikolas once again worked as the bulk reliever behind opener PJ Poulin, who went 1.2 scoreless innings. Mikolas threw 51 pitches and generated just three whiffs, surrendering Munetaka Murakami's league-leading 11th home run along the way. The right-hander has now given up seven long balls in 23.1 innings. He'll carry an 8.49 ERA and 16:10 K:BB into his next outing.

Painter (1-2) took the loss Friday against Atlanta, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks with just one strikeout across 5.2 innings.

Painter certainly didn't have his best stuff against one of the league's top offenses, as he was able to generate just six whiffs on 96 pitches. The rookie right-hander allowed a two-run homer to Ronald Acuna in the third inning before the wheels came off in the sixth. Painter has now surrendered at least three runs in three of his last four starts and has a pair of one-strikeout games in that span. He'll carry a 5.25 ERA and 21:6 K:BB across 24 innings into his next start. With Taijuan Walker out of the picture, Painter should remain in the Phillies' rotation moving forward, even with Zack Wheeler (shoulder) set to make his 2026 debut Saturday.

Woodruff (2-1) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander started strong with two scoreless frames but allowed single tallies in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. Woodruff delivered quality starts in his previous two outings but didn't come back out for the sixth inning Friday to end that streak. He's gone at least five frames in each of his five starts this year and has a 3.77 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB across 28.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester after Friday's game against the White Sox.

Cornelio made his MLB debut Friday against the Pale Hose, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out one batter over two innings. He'll now be sent back to the minors but could return to Washington later in the year to make a spot start or provide length out of the bullpen.

The Cubs selected Velasquez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Velasquez signed a minors deal with Chicago in the offseason and has since posted a 3.71 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 17 innings at Iowa. The 33-year-old will now return to the majors for the first time since 2023 to round out the Cubs' bullpen following Caleb Thielbar's (hamstring) move to the injured list.

The Cubs transferred Hodge (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hodge will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery Tuesday, so the Cubs will stash him away on the 60-day IL and give his 40-man roster spot to Nicky Lopez.

Freeland (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

It appears Freeland won't need to embark on a rehab assignment, so Saturday's session could be his last before returning from the 15-day injured list, potentially as soon as the Rockies' upcoming road series against the Reds that commences Tuesday. Prior to landing on the IL due to left shoulder inflammation, Freeland posted a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Ritchie will remain in the majors for now because "we wanted him to be an option in the picture moving forward," Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ritchie was dynamite in his major-league debut Thursday versus the Nationals, yielding two runs over seven innings while notching seven strikeouts. Spencer Strider (oblique) is tentatively lined up to rejoin Atlanta next week, which could leave Ritchie without a spot in the rotation. It's unclear whether the club is considering a six-man rotation for a turn, or if Ritchie could be used out of the bullpen. More clarity on the rookie's usage should be revealed in the coming days.

Peterson is slated to pitch Wednesday versus the Nationals, either as a traditional starting pitcher or bulk reliever, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Peterson has posted a 6.41 ERA in four starts this season, but he pitched better his last two times out. While working behind an opener this past Sunday against the Cubs and then pitching in long relief in Thursday's win over the Twins, Peterson covered seven innings and gave up one earned run on seven hits and one walk. The left-hander will likely be on a short leash Wednesday, but Peterson will be afforded another opportunity to restate his case for a rotation spot.