MLB Player News

Taillon (1-3) allowed five runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks across five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

The right-hander struggled right at the start of the game, giving up two runs in the first inning. He faced the minimum in the second and third, but again Taillon ran into trouble during the fourth and fifth frames. It's been a disappointing April for Taillon, who was expected to become a true ace in 2019. He is 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 31 innings this season. His next scheduled start is on the road against the Rangers on Wednesday.

Greinke (4-1) threw seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven in a victory against the Pirates on Thursday.

This was vintage Greinke, who added a triple at the plate for good measure. The right-hander has absolutely dominated lately, throwing 13 straight shutout frames and owns a 1.69 ERA in his last four outings. With this hot stretch, his season WHIP has dropped to 0.99. He is also 4-1 with a 3.72 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 36.1 innings this season. His next scheduled start is Wednesday at home against the Yankees.

Stripling didn't factor into the decision against the Cubs on Thursday, giving up five hits, striking out six and walking one before exiting after 4.2 scoreless innings in the Dodgers' 2-1 victory.

The right-hander was working on a shutout, but manager Dave Roberts opted to give him the hook after just 76 pitches, denying him a chance for the win. Stripling is sporting an excellent 2.65 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 32 strikeouts over 34 innings, but Roberts has said he'll move back to the bullpen when Rich Hill (knee) returns from the injured list.

Cabrera tossed five scoreless innings for High-A Jupiter on Wednesday, allowing three hits and striking out six.

The right-hander missed a start due to back soreness, but Cabrera seemed none the worse for wear in his return to the mound. The Marlins' No. 12 fantasy prospect is off to a great start in his first look at High-A hitters, posting a 2.35 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB through 15.1 innings. Miami has no reason to rush him up the ladder, but a big first half could put Cabrera in position for a promotion to Double-A later this summer.

Walker (elbow) threw a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday, Jack Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said he was encouraged by the results of the session. Walker is recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2018 and could rejoin the Diamondbacks by midseason.

Velasquez (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing three hits and three walks over five scoreless innings while striking out six in a 6-0 victory over the Mets.

The right-hander needed an inefficient 97 pitches (53 strikes) to get through five frames and flirted with danger in the first and third, but the Mets couldn't come up with a timely hit. Velasquez will take a sharp 1.99 ERA and 22:7 K:BB through 22.2 innings into his next start Tuesday, at home against the Tigers.

Lyles (2-1) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts and zero walks across five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Considering he yielded just one run in his first 17 innings of the year, Lyles was probably due for one of these starts simply because of the law of averages. He induced just six swinging strikes, and the eight hits he allowed were more than from his previous two starts combined. Despite the loss, Lyles is still 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 22 innings this season. His next scheduled start will be Tuesday on the road against the Rangers.

Soroka (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings while striking out seven in a 3-1 victory over the Reds.

The right-hander's evening started and ended in shaky fashion -- he allowed the first three Reds he faced to reach base, then loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth before being replaced by Josh Tomlin, who got a groundout to first base to escape the jam. In between Soroka was sharp. He threw 67 of 109 pitches for strikes, a strong sign Atlanta isn't too concerned about his shoulder, and the 21-year-old appears to be locking down a rotation spot. If he stays on schedule, Soroka's next start would come Monday, at home against the Padres.

Kelly (2-2) allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks across seven innings in a victory against the Pirates on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old gave up two more home runs in this one, giving him five in five starts this season, but both were of the solo variety. Kelly held the Pirates off the scoreboard otherwise in large part because the Pirates went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position during his seven frames. Kelly is 2-2 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 29.2 innings this season. His next start is scheduled to be Tuesday at home against the Yankees.

Alcantara allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and four walks in a no-decision against the Indians on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old was in line for the loss when he departed, but the Marlins tied the game in the eighth. Despite the no-decision and few strikeouts, this was Alcantara's best outing since March 31. Coming into Wednesday, he had yielded 11 runs in his last 11 innings, but this start lowered his ERA to 4.50. He is 1-2 with a 1.50 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 28 innings across five starts. His next scheduled start is Tuesday at home once again against the Indians.