MLB Player News

Knack (2-2) took the loss in Sunday's contest against the Mets. He yielded three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks over six innings with five strikeouts.

The Los Angeles right-hander secured his first quality start of the season with this 91-pitch performance in Queens. After allowing two unearned runs on a Pete Alonso homer in the opening frame, Knack handcuffed the Mets across the next five innings, allowing just one run on three hits. With this effort, Knack lowered his season ERA from 6.17 to 5.22 across 29.1 innings. The 27-year-old should continue to stick in the Dodgers rotation either as a starter or bulk reliever. He currently lines up for a difficult test in his next appearance, scheduled to be against the Yankees at home next weekend.

Cease did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 5-3 win at Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out eight.

Cease, a Georgia native, racked up 19 whiffs in this 88-pitch outing. With this performance, the San Diego right-hander struck out six or more batters for the fourth consecutive start. Over that span, he's pitched to a 3.20 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB across 25.1 innings. Through 59 total innings, Cease now sports a 4.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 72:20 K:BB. He is currently scheduled to make his next start next weekend against the Pirates, who are dead last in runs scored.

Schwellenbach (3-4) took the loss Sunday against San Diego. He pitched seven innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts.

After conceding a run in the first on a Jackson Merrill single, Schwellenbach breezed through the Padres' lineup until two unearned runs scored on a Gavin Sheets long ball in the sixth. Schwellenbach generated an astounding 20 whiffs on 101 total pitches to notch his first performance with double-digit Ks since April 4 against Miami. The Atlanta right-hander has pitched to a 3.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 60:12 K:BB across 68.1 total innings. He currently lines up to make his next start against the Red Sox at home next weekend.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Verlander (pectoral) is on track to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Verlander landed on the injured list Thursday after being diagnosed with a right pectoral strain, but he appears to have a chance at returning to action once the minimum 15 days are up. Melvin confirmed that Verlander resumed playing catch Saturday, and with the right-hander responding well to the workout, he's already been cleared to advance to the next phase of his recovery program. Verlander will likely complete one or two bullpen sessions before getting the green light to face hitters.

Cabrera (1-1) earned the win Sunday against the Angels, allowing three hits and two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out 10.

The 27-year-old generated 18 whiffs en route to a season-high 10 punchouts, reaching double-digit Ks for the first time since April 15, 2024. Cabrera has been especially sharp over his last four appearances, as he's limited free passes while working to a 2.61 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings. Through 40 total innings, the Miami right-hander sports a 4.72 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB. Cabrera is currently slated to make his next start against the Giants at home next weekend.

Burrows is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

While making his first MLB start this past Thursday against the Brewers, Burrows was dealt a loss after giving up four earned runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. Though his results were disappointing, Burrows will get at least one chance to build some security in the Pittsburgh rotation when he faces the Diamondbacks. Since the beginning of May, Arizona hitters have produced a 121 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, so Burrows will represent a risky streaming option on the road.

Lodolo did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 11-8 loss to the Cubs, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings.

Lodolo allowed three runs over his first two innings but settled in with three scoreless frames, exiting with an 8-3 lead that the bullpen squandered. The southpaw has been steady this season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in nine of 11 outings. He'll bring a 3.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB across 63.2 innings into a rematch with the Cubs on the road next weekend.

Ashcraft is expected to join the Pirates' taxi squad in Arizona and could be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Diamondbacks, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has made 10 starts with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, posting a 4.84 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 56 strikeouts over 48.1 innings. The Pirates don't appear to have a starting spot available for Ashcraft at the moment, though it's possible that the team transitions into a six-man rotation to make room for the 25-year-old. Ashcraft could also be an option to work in long relief.

Brown did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 11-8 win over the Reds, allowing eight runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Despite generating 13 whiffs on 85 pitches and limiting the Reds to just one extra-base hit, Brown was undone by a pair of four-run frames in the first and fifth innings. The 25-year-old has now been charged with 14 runs over his last two starts and has surrendered five or more earned runs in four of his 11 outings this season. He'll carry a 6.39 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 62:18 K:BB across 50.2 innings into a rematch with the Reds at home next weekend.

Soroka (1-3) took the loss Sunday against the Giants, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out two.

Soroka was able to make it through six innings for the first time this season, though he'd ultimately wind up with his third loss as the Nats couldn't overcome an early deficit. Overall, Soroka sports a 5.61 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB across five starts (25.2 innings) this year. He's currently in line to face the Diamondbacks on the road in his next outing.