MLB Player News

Lucchesi (7-7) took the loss against the Rays on Monday, giving up three earned runs on five hits over 4.2 innings, striking out six and walking three as the Padres fell 10-4.

The left-hander fell one out short of the five-inning threshold in this contest, as he struggled with his efficiency to the tune of 94 pitches before getting chased and ultimately taking his seventh loss of the season. Lucchesi's ratios this season aren't especially impressive, as he's sporting a 4.25 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, but he has managed to provide decent strikeout numbers, with 125 punchouts over 127 innings. He'll take the mound next on the road against the Phillies on Sunday.

Keller (1-1) picked up the win against the Angels on Monday, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings, striking out four and walking two in the Pirates' 10-2 victory.

Making his fourth big-league start of the season, Keller did his part in a game where his offense provided him with a ton of run support, keeping the Angels to just a single earned run and picking up his first win of 2019. It was a much-improved showing for the right-hander, who gave up 12 earned across just seven innings in his other two starts earlier this season. Keller will look to build on this outing moving forward, as he's expected to remain in the rotation for the duration of the season.

Kelly (8-12) picked up the win against the Rockies on Monday, giving up six earned runs on nine hits over five innings, striking out five and walking two in an 8-6 victory for the Diamondbacks.

It wasn't a good final stat line for Kelly, but it wound up being enough to give him his eighth win of the season as his teammates provided him with excellent run support. The right-hander has been struggling of late, as this was the third time in his last four starts that he's given up at least six earned runs. He's seen his ERA jump up to 4.75 over that stretch, to go along with a 1.32 WHIP and a 109:36 K:BB over 136.1 innings.

DeSclafani (7-7) gave up six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three through four innings to take the loss against the Nationals on Monday.

DeSclafani gave up three runs in the first inning, and gave up a three-run home run in the fourth frame. The right-hander delivered his shortest outing since May 24 and the six runs were a season-high. DeSclafani has a 4.51 ERA and 123 strikeouts through 23 starts this season. DeSclafani will make his next start Saturday against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.

Keller was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Monday's game against the Angels, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Keller will surface in the majors to toe the rubber Monday evening. The Pirates expect to keep the right-hander in the starting rotation for the remainder of the season, per Biertempfel.

Soroka could have his workload reduced down the stretch, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

While the right-hander doesn't have an official innings limit from the team, Atlanta is mindful of the fact that Soroka only threw 56.1 innings last year due to shoulder woes. "We're going to put their careers first," GM Alex Anthopoulos said before this weekend's series against the Marlins with regard to the club's young pitchers. "If we think the appropriate thing is to scale back or to shut them down, we'll do it. But as we sit here today, we haven't made arrangements to do that. We're just going to play it by ear." Soroka did toss 153.2 frames in 2017 at Double-A, and so far this season he's delivered 137.1 excellent innings between Triple-A Gwinnett and the majors. If Atlanta can lock up the NL East crown a little early, though, don't be surprised if the 22-year-old gets some extra rest in September to prepare for the playoffs.

Lugo will remain in a high-leverage rather than a strict ninth-inning role, but Mets manager Mickey Callaway suggested Sunday that the right-hander would see regular save chances going forward, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Callaway has been reluctant to brand anyone but Edwin Diaz as the team's closer, but after Diaz got bypassed for a save chance Saturday in favor of Lugo working a second inning, the writing was on the wall. He's certainly earned the opportunity to close -- since the beginning of July, Lugo has posted a stunning 0.51 ERA, 0.28 WHIP and 22:1 K:BB through 17.2 innings while compiling two wins, two saves and seven holds in 15 appearances.

Ryu (12-2) tossed seven shutout innings while allowing five hits and one walk with four strikeouts across seven innings to earn a victory against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Clearly, Ryu has recovered from his neck issue, as he dropped his ERA to a ridiculous 1.45. Opposing hitters are batting just .221, which is a great number, but even more impressively, Ryu has walked only 17 batters while striking out 121. In another year of power explosion, he's also allowed just 10 homers. Ryu, who will pitch next at the Braves on Saturday, owns a 0.93 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 142.2 innings this season.

Marquez (11-5) struck out nine while allowing three runs on five hits with two walks across eight innings to earn the victory against the Padres on Sunday.

The 24-year-old allowed a solo homer in the second and third along with another run while recording a double play in the seventh, but his efficiency and the Rockies offense enabled Marquez to get through eight frames. He needed just 93 pitches to record 24 outs, which included nine punchouts, giving Marquez 23 strikeouts in his last 19 innings. The 24-year-old, who will pitch again Friday at home against the Marlins, owns a 4.75 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 163 innings this season.

Castillo gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight through 6.2 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Sunday.

Castillo looked to be cruising until running into trouble in the seventh inning, eventually leading to his exit and a loss for the Reds. After dominating with his changeup in his last start, he collected another 10 swinging strikes and threw his changeup more than any other pitch. Castillo has a 2.69 ERA and 172 strikeouts through 24 starts this season. Castillo will make his next start Friday against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.