MLB Player News

Freeland is battling left heel soreness and may not be able to take the mound for his next scheduled outing against the Cubs on Monday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Freeland appeared to have picked up this injury during his start versus San Diego on Tuesday. The left-hander had a fantastic showing in that game, striking out eight over seven scoreless frames to earn his first victory of the 2018 campaign. As of this moment, the Rockies are hopeful that Freeland will be healthy enough to pitch Monday, but the team is unlikely to throw him out there if he isn't feeling close to 100 percent. Expect an update on his status in the coming days.

Musgrove (shoulder) will throw a simulated game Wednesday and then embark on a multi-outing rehab assignment if all goes as scheduled, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Musgrove tossed a couple bullpen sessions over the past week and continues to target a return to the major-league mound around early-to-mid May. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the end of March with shoulder discomfort.

Fried took the loss in his first big-league appearance of the season Tuesday against the Reds, as Scooter Gennett took him deep for a two-run home run in the bottom of the 12th inning.

The 24-year-old left-hander failed to record an out after being summoned from the bullpen -- a big letdown after he posted a 1.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB in 15.2 innings over four games between Double-A and Triple-A prior to his promotion. Fried may get a chance to redeem himself before getting sent back down to Triple-A Gwinnett, but for the moment the Braves appear to view him only as a bullpen option, and not someone who can challenge for a rotation spot in the majors.

Manager Craig Counsell moved Jhoulys Chacin's start to Wednesday against Kansas City, pushing back Anderson to Thursday versus the Cubs, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Anderson will get a second crack at Chicago in as many series after taking the loss -- allowing two earned runs off four hits and two walks while striking out two -- during his third start of the year against the Cubs on April 8. This shouldn't have any impact on Anderson earning two starts next week, as he will likely take the hill in Cincinnati on Tuesday following by a matchup against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Velasquez (1-3) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks across 4.2 innings while taking the loss Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He struck out six.

Velasquez cruised until the third inning, when a pair of solo home runs got the visitors on the board. He then loaded the bases in the fifth before allowing a two-run double to David Peralta. Velasquez pounded the strike zone at a 67 percent clip, but he simply failed to keep opposing hitters off balance and became predictable as the game wore on. He'd tossed three consecutive quality starts prior to this one, but he'll take an underwhelming 4.50 ERA and 1.35 WHIP into Sunday's scheduled start against the Braves.

Ray allowed three runs on five hits and three walks across 4.2 innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Phillies. He struck out 11.

Ray threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of 22 batters and induced 16 swinging strikes as he reached double-digit punchouts for the first time this season. He got in trouble in the third, loading the bases as he allowed three runs in the frame, running up his pitch count en route to his shortest start of the season. Ray's 5.13 ERA and 1.56 WHIP leave a lot to be desired, but he also has a 14.7 K/9 through his first five starts.

Maeda struck out seven and walked one in a no-decision against the Marlins on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits through six innings.

Maeda's lone run allowed was on a solo home run by J.T. Realmuto in the third. Otherwise, Maeda was very good in Tuesday's outing. He's now brought his ERA down to 3.10, although his WHIP (1.48) and BABIP (.434) are still pretty high. Since he's come into the league in 2016, Maeda has been an excellent strikeout pitcher (9.3 K/9 over the last two seasons combined), and so far this year he's been even better, recording 31 strikeouts in 20.1 innings. With the Dodgers playing a doubleheader Saturday, Maeda's next start should be against the Giants in San Francisco on Sunday.

Freeland (1-3) struck out eight in seven scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Padres, giving up three hits and two walks.

Freeland was excellent Tuesday, shutting down Padres hitters to earn his first win of the season. He was at 90 pitches by the end of seven innings, and only one of the three hits allowed went for extra bases. Run support has been an issue for Freeland so far in the young season. Prior to Tuesday's game, the young lefty had been getting just 2.25 RS/9 (he had 5.77 RS/9 last year) so the Rockies' hitters putting up seven runs at the end of two certainly helped. Freeland's next start will be against the Cubs in Chicago.

Lauer (0-1) gave up seven runs (six earned) on six hits in a loss to the Rockies on Tuesday, striking out three and walking four.

Coors Field is a rough place to make your first big-league start. Lauer held the Rockies to singles, but walked the bases loaded twice in the first two innings. The second time resulted in a grand slam by Trevor Story. The 22-year-old lefty put up decent numbers last year across High-A and Double-A ball, posting a 6-8 record, 3.30 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 132 strikeouts in 122.2 innings. At the Triple-A level this year, Lauer was 2-1 in three starts with a 3.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Should he remain in the rotation, Lauer will line up to take on the Giants in San Francisco for his next start.

Flaherty will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis and start Saturday's game against the Pirates, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

It was already expected that Flaherty would be called upon to start Saturday's game after he was scratched from his scheduled minor-league start Wednesday, but now the Cardinals have confirmed that it will indeed be Flaherty. The talented 22-year-old will face a Pirates team that ranks in the lower half of the majors in team OPS against right-handed pitchers.