MLB Player News

Williams allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings Wednesday but didn't factor into the decision in a 4-3 loss to the Brewers.

The seven strikeouts were a career high for the 25-year-old, while the quality start was his third of the year. Williams' ability to keep the ball in the park has allowed him to post a 4.36 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 0.5 HR/9 over his last six starts (33 innings), but his 6.8 K/9 over that stretch highlights his limited upside. He'll next take the mound Tuesday at home against the Rays.

Wacha didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over four innings in an extra-inning win over the Phillies.

A couple of Greg Garcia errors behind him helped soften the blow to Wacha's ERA, but the right-hander still failed to escape the fifth inning for the fifth time in his last six trips to the mound, making him a tough pitcher to rely upon right now in fantasy formats that place a heavy emphasis on wins or quality starts. He'll try to turn things around Monday at home against the Reds.

Hill (4-3) struck out eight Mets over five innings Wednesday, giving up just a single run on four hits and three walks in an 8-2 victory.

The victim of a seven-run smashing in Cleveland his last time out, Hill bounced back in this one, but he again failed to pitch more than five innings. Now nine starts deep into his 2017 campaign, Hill has yet to get a game's 16th out. That's cause for some concern, but the strikeout and ratio ability the veteran lefty showed off last year will keep fantasy owners on the hook for a while yet.

Pill (0-3) gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks -- two of them intentional -- over six innings in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. He struck out six.

Called up to make this start, he got burned by a pair of homers, particularly Yasiel Puig's three-run shot in the fourth. A soft-tossing righty, Pill has not been particularly effective in the majors this season. If the Mets can find an alternative to fill a spot in their injury-ravaged rotation, he'll surely be the first to get bumped.

Walker (6-3) allowed the Rockies to score only three runs despite allowing 10 baserunners (six hits, four walks) in six innings during Wednesday's 16-5 win at Coors Field. He struck out eight.

Those in leagues that count quality starts have to be happy with this outing, which met only the minimum requirements for that designation. When you're pitching in Colorado, that's a golden outcome. A high WHIP has bugged Walker this year, but he's a respectable fantasy starter thanks to his solid contributions in strikeout rate and ERA for an Arizona team that's been winning a lot.

General manager Sandy Alderson said Wheeler (biceps) is only expected to miss one start while on the disabled list, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

It appears Wheeler, who landed on the DL on Wednesday with biceps tendinitis, will be ready to rejoin the rotation when the minimum 10-day stint is up. Barring any setbacks, he would tentatively slot back into the rotation on July 1 against the Phillies.

Mahle was called up to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mahle dominated at the Double-A level this season, accumulating a 1.59 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP in 85 innings. He tossed a perfect game in late April and currently holds a 87:17 K:BB to go along with a 7-3 record with Pensacola. The 22-year-old will earn his first taste of the Triple-A level and has worked his way up to being a top 10 prospect in the Cincinnati organization.

Wheeler was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday due to biceps tendinitis.

It's unclear when exactly this injury was sustained, although it may go to partially explain why he's struggled so much in his past two starts. The move is retroactive to June 20, so he's eligible to return on June 30, although it's currently unclear if he'll need more than the minimum 10-day stint at this point. Tyler Pill and Erik Goeddel will come up from the minors to provide pitching reinforcements until he's back to full health.

Pill was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

As expected, Pill will be summoned from the minors to start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. He'll face off with Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill. To make room for Pill on the active roster, Zack Wheeler (biceps) was placed on the DL and Matt Reynolds was sent back to the minors.

Gray (foot) will make one more rehab appearance Saturday before returning to the Rockies next week, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

This will be the third rehab start for the right-hander, who has struck out 12 and allowed five runs (one earned) over eight innings in his first two outings. Gray only started three games this season before suffering the stress fracture in his left foot, racking up an ERA of 4.38 in 12.1 innings posting an ERA of 4.61 in 29 starts in 2016.