MLB Player News

Wacha (3-2) allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Royals.

Wacha consistently struggled in this outing, allowing the leadoff hitter to reach base in four of his five innings. The third frame was particularly troublesome for him, as he allowed six of the first eight batters he faced to reach base, capped off by a three-run home run by Jorge Soler. This effort was the latest in a disappointing run to begin the season; he's now allowed four or more earned runs in three of his last four starts while never surpassing 5.2 innings. Comments from manager Mike Shildt after the game suggest Wacha may be in danger of losing his spot in the rotation, though he's currently scheduled to start Tuesday at Philadelphia.

Kelly (4-5) allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out none across 1.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres.

Kelly allowed five hitters to reach base in the first inning, punctuated by a two-RBI single by Eric Hosmer. Things didn't go much better to begin the second frame, and he was ultimately pulled after following his fourth earned run with consecutive walks. While this was his shortest outing of the season, Kelly had another blowup outing in his start May 6, allowing seven earned runs across four innings. His skills match his 4.75 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, as he's posted a 1.4 HR/9 while handing out 3.7 BB/9 across 53 innings. Things aren't likely to get much better in his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday at Coors Field.

Lauer (3-4) picked up the win against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, giving up one earned run on four hits over seven strong innings, striking out seven and walking none in a 5-2 victory.

The left-hander has bounced back from an eight-run blowup against the Rockies on May 10 with a pair of solid starts, as he's given up just one earned run over 12.2 innings since the meltdown in Colorado. That lowers his ERA to 4.73 and his WHIP to 1.31 to go along with a 45:14 K:BB through 53.1 innings. Lauer lines up to take the mound next on the road against the Yankees on Tuesday.

Castillo allowed four runs on five hits with two strikeouts and three walks across 2.2 innings during a no-decision against the Brewers on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old couldn't take advantage of the Reds' offense scoring six runs through three frames. Castillo needed 75 pitches to record eight outs and failed to reach the end of the third inning for the first time this season. Still, owners have to be very pleased with Castillo's first 11 starts. He is 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 64.1 innings. Castillo also possesses a 0.7 HR/9 and .176 batting average against. He will look to bounce back in his next start against the Pirates on Monday.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday that Velasquez (forearm) could be moved to the bullpen when he comes off the injured list, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kapler said he didn't see Velasquez returning to the rotation "as a right" and that in theory, he loves the idea of using Velasquez out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old righty has never held up for a full MLB season as a starter, with last year's 146.2 innings representing a career high.

Davies allowed six runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk across three innings during a no-decision against the Reds on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in any start this season, so this was quite a shock. Still, he avoided a loss despite spotting the Reds a five-run lead because the Brewers' offense came back to tie the game by the end of the fourth. Davies' numbers certainly took a hit, but he's still 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 55.2 innings this season. His next start will be Tuesday against the Twins.

Maeda (thigh) will come off the injured list to start Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

This was expected, assuming Maeda made it through Wednesday's aggressive bullpen session OK, and he did. He may not throw 100 pitches in his first start back from the injured list, but he threw 6.2 innings May 15, so there shouldn't be significant restrictions.

Velasquez (forearm) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Reports earlier in the week indicated that Velasquez would throw a pair of bullpen sessions, though the pitcher himself said Wednesday that he wasn't sure what his next step would be. He believes that he'll be back in the rotation once he returns from the injured list, though Cole Irvin has won both of his starts as a replacement. Whether or not Velasquez automatically gets his spot back once healthy could depend in part on how Irvin pitches Wednesday against the Cubs.

Anderson (knee) was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

He is on the shelf after undergoing surgery to repair a left knee chondral defect, and may not even return this season, so this is simply procedural to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Wacha will start the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Royals.

Wacha will be pitching on six days' rest after a recent off day coupled with Tuesday's postponement pushed him back in the schedule. He'll oppose Brad Keller in the first game of the twinbill while Adam Wainwright and Homer Bailey square off in the nightcap.