MLB Player News

Stripling was asked to go for three innings out of the pen Monday, giving up one run on three hits while striking out five in a blowout win over the Pirates.

The 27-year-old continues to hold is own as a long reliever this season, posting a 3.79 ERA and a 24:4 K:BB ratio over 19 innings. Stripling won't offer much value to fantasy owners out of the bullpen, but his early success likely puts him in line to step into the rotation should another starter go down to injury.

Gray (toe) is feeling no pain in his foot and received good results from Monday's bone scan, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The Rockies' young ace has been out since mid-April with a stress fracture in his foot, but it seems like he's on the right track to return relatively soon. Gray has been throwing from 90 to 100 feet during the time he's been out, but if his checkup on Thursday goes well, he could ditch his walking boot and progress to running drills in a swimming pool. Unfortunately, no timetable for his return to action exists yet, but things should become clearer following Thursday's appointment.

DeGrom (2-1) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 11 in six innings Monday but came away with a no-decision in a 4-3 win over the Giants.

The 28-year-old righty has now struck out double-digit batters in four of his last five starts, giving him a career-high 12.7 K/9, but deGrom's 4.0 BB/9 and 1.3 HR/9 rates are far short of his usual standards and are fueling a 3.80 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Given the state of the rest of the Mets rotation, the team really needs deGrom to step up and find his 2015-16 form again. He'll make his next start Sunday in Milwaukee.

Wood (3-0) allowed just two hits while walking one and striking out 11 over five shutout innings to help beat the Pirates 12-1 on Monday.

Wood's 11 strikeouts were a season high, and he lowered his ERA to 2.73 with the 88-pitch effort. He's been up and down in his five starts, but the southpaw's strikeout upside (38 punchouts in 29.2 frames) makes him relevant in most mixed leagues, especially with Hyun-Jin Ryu (hip) and Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) currently on the disabled list. If Wood keeps pitching like this, the Dodgers will find a way to keep him in their starting rotation for the long haul.

Williams (1-2) allowed eight runs (six earned) on seven hits (two home runs) while walking one and striking out two over three innings in Monday's 12-1 beating at the hands of the Dodgers.

It was a tough spot for Williams, who was making his first start in place of Jameson Taillon (groin). It was over for the 25-year-old right away when he allowed two home runs and six runs in the first frame, including a grand slam off the bat of Chris Taylor. While Williams does have some success in a starting role at Triple-A, he's not guaranteed another start and holds very little fantasy appeal, even in NL-only affairs.

Martinez (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks across six innings in Monday's win over the Marlins. He struck out seven.

Martinez dominated for much of his outing but had no answer for Marcell Ozuna, who accounted for all the damage against him with a pair of home runs. Luckily, the right-hander was also extremely effective at the dish himself, driving in four runs with a pair of hits to supplement his solid outing. Martinez has fallen victim to the long ball at times this season, which factors into his 3.86 ERA, but if he can curtail that aspect of his performance, his 10.7 K/9 will play up even more nicely for fantasy owners. He's now fired three consecutive quality starts, and Martinez will try to keep it going Sunday against the Cubs.

Manager Terry Collins confirmed Monday that Milone will start Wednesday against the Giants, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Milone will slide into the spot vacated by Rafael Montero, as expected. He posted a decent 3.92 ERA over 23 starts for the Twins in 2015, but Milone has served up 21 home runs and a 5.88 ERA over 90.1 innings in 2016 and 2017 combined.

Senzatela had his start Monday against the Cubs rained out and will instead start Tuesday afternoon to lead off a split doubleheader, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Game time for the first leg of the split doubleheader is set for 2:20 p.m. Eastern. Kyle Freeland will start the nightcap as scheduled.

Finnegan (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, John Fay of WCPO Cincinnati reports.

It will still be a while before Finnegan can throw off a mound, and it will be even longer before he's pitching in the majors again. Manager Bryan Price has hinted that he's hopeful Finnegan can return around mid-June.

Hill (finger) will make his final rehab start Wednesday for High-A Rancho Cucamonga before rejoining the rotation, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Hill was originally scheduled to make this rehab start Tuesday, but it has been pushed back a day. Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports Hill hopes to start next Tuesday at San Francisco.