MLB Player News

McDonald (2-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

McDonald was sharp Wednesday, blanking the Diamondbacks through five innings. However, he'd give up two runs in the sixth and another in the seventh, which proved to be enough to stick him with the loss in a 3-2 defeat. Still, it was a nice bounce-back performance from McDonald after he was tagged for seven runs in 3.2 innings his last time out against the White Sox. It remains to be seen whether or not the 25-year-old McDonald will remain in San Francisco's rotation, with Logan Webb (knee) expected to return this weekend.

Soroka (7-2) earned the win Wednesday over the Giants, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out three.

It was another strong outing from Soroka, who's held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last five outings, posting a 1.78 ERA with 24 strikeouts and just five walks in that span (30.1 innings). Overall, Soroka's ERA is down to 3.25 on the year with a 1.20 WHIP and 60:14 K:BB across 11 starts (61 innings). He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a tough home matchup next week with the Dodgers.

Springs (3-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk across five innings. He struck out seven.

Seattle got to Springs early Wednesday, scoring three unearned runs on a Rob Refsnyder homer following a Jeff McNeil error with two outs. While Springs' final line was decent (his seven strikeouts matched a season high), the southpaw would ultimately come away with his fourth consecutive loss. After starting the year 3-0 with a 1.46 ERA in his first four starts (24.2 innings), Springs has gone 0-6 with a 5.62 ERA in his subsequent eight outings (41.2 innings). Springs will look to turn things around his next time out, currently scheduled to come on the road next week against the Cubs.

Gilbert (3-4) earned the win Wednesday over the A's, allowing five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

It's the second straight scoreless outing for Gilbert and his third in his last four starts. The 29-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.69 on the year with a 1.11 WHIP and 69:16 K:BB across 12 starts (68.1 innings). Gilbert will look to carry over the momentum into his next start, currently scheduled to come at home next week against the Mets.

Javier (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain that landed him on the injured list in mid-April. He'll continue to throw bullpen sessions and live batting practices until he's progressed enough to embark on a rehab assignment. The expectation is that Javier will need multiple starts in the minors, so he may not be ready to be activated from the IL until early July.

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Alexander saved the Astros' bullpen Tuesday against the Rangers by managing to go six innings despite allowing eight runs in the opening frame. Nevertheless, he will head back to the minors as Houston adds Logan VanWey to the bullpen.

Perez said after Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays that he will undergo further imaging on his right hamstring, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After limiting the Blue Jays to three base hits while striking out nine and issuing no walks over four scoreless frames, Perez was pulled in advance of the fifth inning of his start Wednesday due to a right hamstring spasm. The Marlins will send Perez in for an MRI to glean more information on the severity of the injury, which the right-hander indicated is already beginning to show some improvement. Until the results of his imaging are available, Perez's status for his next turn through the rotation Tuesday in Washington is up in the air.

Lowder (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Lowder threw a successful live batting practice session Wednesday, clearing the way for him to pitch in an official game. The right-hander is slated to throw 70 pitches in Tuesday's outing, so it might be the only rehab start he needs before rejoining the Cincinnati rotation. Lowder has been on the shelf since early May due to right shoulder discomfort.

Sandoval (biceps/elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Sandoval will next progress to a live batting practice session Saturday, which will be the first time he's faced hitters since experiencing a setback in the form of a biceps issue in late April. The left-hander initially went on the injured list before the season as he continued his recovery from internal brace surgery. Sandoval noted Wednesday that he has a timetable in mind for a return, but he declined to divulge what it is. He threw 5.1 rehab innings before the setback and will need to restart a rehab assignment once he's deemed game-ready.

Perez was removed after four innings in his start Wednesday against the Blue Jays due to a right hamstring spasm, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Before abruptly leaving the game, Perez was cruising along to his best start of the season. He held the Blue Jays off the board through the first four innings, allowing just three hits -- all singles -- and no walks while recording a season-high nine punchouts. According to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet, Perez appeared to suffer the injury while doing some stretching prior to the fifth inning and needed assistance to get down the steps in the Miami dugout before heading to the clubhouse. The Marlins should have more information on the severity of Perez's injury in the days to come, but the fact that his hamstring issue is being listed as a spasm rather than a strain offers hope that he'll avoid missing his next start, which is tentatively set for next Tuesday in Washington.