MLB Player News

Knack (2-1) allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out eight over 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Knack was taken deep twice by Jacob Wilson in this contest, and that ended up being more than enough to stick the right-hander with his first loss of the year. He's posted a 5.89 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 18.1 innings over five appearances (four starts) in the majors. The strikeout totals are tantalizing, but he'll need to improve his run prevention to earn widespread interest in fantasy. Knack could have been at risk of losing his place in the Dodgers' six-man rotation when Clayton Kershaw (toe) returns to action Saturday, but Roki Sasaki (shoulder) landed on the injured list Tuesday, so Knack's role should be safe for now. Knack is tentatively projected for a home start versus the Diamondbacks next week.

Pfaadt (6-3) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Tuesday.

A Christian Koss grand slam in the second inning accounted for all of the runs on Pfaadt's line. His two shortest starts of the season have come across three outings in May, but he sandwiched 6.1 scoreless innings versus the Dodgers between those poor performances. Overall, Pfaadt is now at a 3.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 44:13 K:BB through 50.2 innings over nine starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road versus the Dodgers as he looks for a repeat performance of his last matchup with them.

Ray (6-0) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Ray gave up all three runs in the first inning. While he didn't completely shut things down after that, he kept Arizona at bay, allowing the Giants to build an insurmountable lead. This was Ray's fourth straight quality start as well as his third consecutive win. The southpaw is now at a 3.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 55:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings over nine starts. After two campaigns riddled by injuries (Tommy John surgery and a hamstring injury), Ray is healthy and pitching effectively, despite a troublesome 4.6 BB/9. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Royals.

Cease allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out 10 over 6.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Tuesday.

Cease pitched well, but he was charged with a second run after leaving the game when Jeremiah Estrada couldn't keep the Angels at bay in the seventh inning. This was the second start in a row where Cease has set a season high in strikeouts, and he also pitched into the seventh inning for the third time this season. He's at a 4.60 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:18 K:BB across 47 innings through nine starts. A nine-run dud against the Athletics on April 8 continues to skew his overall numbers -- he's yet to allow more than three runs in any other start. He's projected to make his next start on the road at Toronto.

Freeland (0-6) took the loss Tuesday against the Rangers after allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

It was the fourth quality start of the year for Freeland, whose six hits allowed were his fewest in a road outing since his first appearance of 2025. Although the left-hander has a poor 6.15 ERA and 1.59 WHIP on the season, he owns a respectable 4.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB over 29.2 innings on the road. With his next appearance set to come at home next week versus the Phillies, however, Freeland won't be a recommended fantasy option at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Priester (1-2) yielded a run on three hits and two walks over five innings Tuesday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Guardians.

Priester coughed up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the first inning but kept Cleveland's bats fairly quiet for the next four frames. It was Priester's second straight loss despite yielding only two earned runs (four total runs) in those outings. He threw 39 of 69 pitches for strikes and forced only four whiffs Tuesday. His ERA fell to 4.59 with a 23:21 K:BB through 33.1 innings. Priester is lined up to face the Orioles at home next week.

The Dodgers placed Sasaki on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder impingement.

Sasaki came away from his last start Friday with a bit of soreness in his shoulder, and further evaluation determined it would be best for the 23-year-old righty to sit down for at least a couple of weeks. J.P. Feyereisen was recalled from Triple-A to fill the open spot on the pitching staff, though it's still unknown who will take Sasaki's place in the starting rotation.

Sasaki reported soreness in his right arm after his most recent start Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are still trying to determine whether Sasaki's arm will force him to spend time on the injured list. The 23-year-old righty is currently due to start Thursday's game against the Athletics, though the team may have to turn to its minor-league depth or bullpen to get them through the series finale if Sasaki is unable to pitch.

Kershaw (toe/knee) is expected to start Saturday's contest against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw has missed the entirety of the 2025 season to this point while recovering from left toe and left knee surgeries, but he now appears to be all set to return to action over the weekend. The left-hander has made three rehab starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 3.75 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 12 innings. Kershaw was limited to just seven starts with the Dodgers during the 2024 regular season, producing a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, both of which represented career highs for the 18-year veteran. He'll likely operate under some sort of pitch count restriction in his return versus the Angels.

Kemp (shoulder) has made two starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League this season, covering nine innings in total while allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out five.

An eighth-round selection out of high school in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Kemp didn't pitch that season or last due to a right shoulder injury. Kemp received a clean bill of health prior to the start of the Complex League season, but the young righty has struggled to display much control early on. In addition to walking 12.8 percent of the batters he's faced, Kemp has hit two batters and thrown three wild pitches.