MLB Player News

Pfaadt (5-2) took the loss against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.2 innings.

Pfaadt had given up four earned runs over his last four outings heading into Saturday, and he got off to a nice start with three strikeouts in the first inning. It was downhill from there for the 26-year-old right-hander, who yielded home runs to Max Kepler and J.T. Realmuto in the second and third innings, respectively, before being tagged for a seventh run in the fourth. Pfaadt's performance rose his ERA and WHIP to 3.79 and 1.24, respectively, over 40.1 innings, and his 43 hits allowed is fifth-most among qualified starters in the National League. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next week at home against the Dodgers.

Nola (1-5) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.

Per Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Nola was in danger of being scratched from Saturday's start after he felt his neck lock up, which led the Phillies to reinstate Ranger Suarez from the 15-day injured list as an emergency option. Nola relayed after the game that the tightness was limited to the right side of his neck, and it didn't appear to bother him all that much as he tossed 109 pitches (69 strikes) over six scoreless frames while generating 12 whiffs and eight groundouts. How Nola's neck responds following Saturday's outing will determine his availability for his next scheduled start against the Guardians next weekend, but the strong performance is an indication the issue isn't a serious concern.

Vasquez didn't factor into the decision against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and five walks while striking out three over five innings.

It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Vasquez, who allowed at least two baserunners in four of his five innings pitched, but he limited the damage to an RBI single from Oneil Cruz in the second frame. Vasquez has yielded one earned run or less in four of his seven starts this season, but he's also issued a league-leading 24 walks over 32.1 innings. He's lined up to face the Rockies on the road next weekend.

Falter did not factor into the decision of Saturday's game against the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings.

Falter scatted four baserunners over seven strong innings, with his only blemish coming on a Manny Machado solo homer in the seventh frame. It was Falter's third quality start of the season and the second time he has made it through seven innings. He has a 5.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB across 37.1 innings, and his next start is slated for next weekend at home against Atlanta.

Manager Rob Thompson said Saturday that Walker will move from the rotation to the bullpen, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ranger Suarez (back) returned from the 15-day injured list Saturday and will be reclaiming his spot in the Phillies' rotation from Walker. Thompson did leave the door open for Walker to make spot starts this season as part of a six-man rotation, but the 32-year-old right-hander will shift to the bullpen and likely serve in a bulk-relief role. In six starts this season, Walker has gone 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 28.1 innings.

Blalock did not factor into the decision in Saturday's game against the Giants, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Blalock registered only nine first-pitch strikes and six whiffs on 75 pitches (47 strikes), but he limited the Giants to one run through his first five innings. He was tagged for another run after being lifted in the sixth frame and was in line for the win, but that didn't come to fruition after Matt Chapman knocked a go-ahead grand slam off Jake Bird. Blalock could stick in the Rockies' rotation for as long as Ryan Feltner (back) is on the 15-day injured list, and the former is lined up to face the Padres at home next weekend.

Hicks allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven in five innings against the Rockies on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.

Hicks limited the Rockies to one walk and one hit over the first five innings but was tagged for three runs in the sixth, and he finished with 11 whiffs and 12 first-pitch strikes while tossing 88 pitches (55 strikes). Hicks' seven punchouts were his most in a start this season, but he has given up at least three earned runs in five of his last six outings and is up to a 6.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 37.1 innings. He's slated to face the Twins on the road next weekend.

The Phillies reinstated Suarez (back) from the injured list Saturday.

The 29-year-old isn't due to start for the Phillies until Sunday, but the team will bring him back a day in advance to replace Jose Ruiz (neck), who landed on the injured list Saturday. Suarez made four rehab starts in the minors, during which he turned in a minuscule 1.08 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 24 batters and walking five across 16.2 innings. He built up to 78 pitches during his final outing, so he shouldn't be working under significant restrictions during his season debut.

Burnes will not make his next scheduled start against the Mets on Monday due to right shoulder inflammation, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Burnes had been experiencing fatigue in his right shoulder over his past two starts, and an MRI on Friday revealed inflammation. Monday will mark the first time Burnes has missed a start since moving into the rotation on a full-time basis in 2020 as a member of the Brewers, but the hope is that he won't need a stint on the injured list and will make his next scheduled start against the Dodgers on May 10. Ryne Nelson is the top candidate to replace Burnes in the rotation Monday, after the former tossed 68 pitches in relief against the Mets this past Tuesday.

Smith-Shawver (elbow) will make his next scheduled start Monday against the Reds, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Smith-Shawver took a line drive off his right elbow during his last start Tuesday and was pulled after throwing 59 pitches over 5.1 innings. He played catch Saturday without any issues and now has the green light to make another start on five days' rest. The 22-year-old righty has started four games in the big leagues this season and owns a 4.26 ERA across 19 innings.