MLB Player News

Matthews (1-1) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Matthews held the A's scoreless until allowing a run in the fifth inning. Despite that tally, the right-hander emerged with his first win this season and just the second of his big-league career. Matthews didn't miss many bats Wednesday, notching a modest seven whiffs and finishing with a season-low four punchouts, but this was the first time through four starts this year that he's given up less than two runs and the second time he's completed five frames. Matthews appears to be becoming more entrenched in Minnesota's rotation, especially with Pablo Lopez (shoulder) facing an extended absence. Matthews' next start is lined up to be home matchup against a woeful Texas offense that has scored the fourth-fewest runs in the league so far.

Gilbert (elbow) gave up two earned runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts in three innings during Wednesday's rehab start for Triple-A Tacoma, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain, Gilbert was able to get up to 60 pitches in his second minor-league outing. The Mariners have not yet determined whether the right-hander will need another rehab appearance before rejoining the rotation, but a return early next week in Arizona against the Diamondbacks remains a possibility. Once Gilbert is ready to be activated from the injured list, Emerson Hancock stands out as the most likely candidate to be optioned to the minors to make room on the roster.

Pivetta allowed five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six-plus innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Wednesday.

Pivetta cruised early, and the Padres' offense gifted him a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth frame. He gave up a run in that inning but still looked to be on track for a win even after giving up two more runs in the sixth. However, Pivetta allowed the only two batters he faced in the seventh to reach base, and he lost a bid for both a victory and a quality start when both runners came around to score following his departure. This was the fourth straight start in which Pivetta has completed exactly six innings, but this was the first time during that span that he's given up more than two runs. He still holds a 3.16 ERA and 1.02 WHIP on the campaign, and he'll look to finish more strongly in his next start, which lines up to come at home against the division-rival Dodgers.

Vasil didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Detroit, allowing two hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings.

Vasil followed opener Jared Shuster, who allowed four runs in his lone inning of work, and steadied the ship for the White Sox. The outing marked Vasil's third consecutive scoreless appearance, each of which lasted at least three innings. The 25-year-old rookie has been great to start 2025, owning a 1.89 ERA across 37 innings, though he could improve upon his 27:21 K:BB.

Gipson-Long didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Gipson-Long made his first MLB start since 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024 and a hip operation last July. He worked up to 53 pitches during his rehab assignment and stretched out to 70 pitches Wednesday. Still, there was some lingering rust for Gipson-Long, and he got tagged for three runs. While it's encouraging to see Gipson-Long back in action, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to stick around the rotation long term, as he'll likely be the first to get bumped from the rotation once Jackson Jobe (elbow) or Reese Olson (finger) returns. Gipson-Long's next start is expected to come early next week against the Orioles.

Povich didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Povich failed to complete six innings for a fourth consecutive start. However, the left-hander bounced back from a poor outing last time out against the Cardinals and didn't allow a long ball for the second time in his past six starts. On the year, Povich owns a 5.11 ERA and a 58:21 K:BB over 56.1 innings. He is tentatively scheduled to face the Tigers next time out.

Hancock didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing one run on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Hancock blanked the Orioles through five innings before Adley Rutschman broke the stalemate with a solo homer in the sixth frame. Aside from a rough start May 12 against the Yankees, Hancock has been excellent lately. Outside of that game in which he gave up seven runs, Hancock owns a 2.93 ERA across 27.2 innings since the start of May. With Logan Gilbert (elbow) on the mend, Hancock's time in the Mariners' rotation could be coming to a close.

Sale (3-4) was saddled with the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks after giving up one run on three hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out 10.

Sale was already up to 25 pitches following the opening inning, but that didn't impede him from putting together a dominant performance. It was the star left-hander's third outing with double-digit punchouts this season, and he even reached 98 mph with his fastball three times. Sale has rediscovered his form after struggling to a 6.17 ERA through his first five starts, as he's notched a 1.43 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 64:16 K:BB over his last eight, and his next outing is set to come against a Brewers team with a weak .664 OPS over 32 games since May 1.

Kelly (6-2) earned the win Wednesday against Atlanta after giving up one hit and one walk in seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

After conceding eight runs over his previous two starts, Kelly bounced back in a big way Wednesday. The veteran right-hander submitted his seventh quality start of the year, and it was the sixth time in his last 11 appearances that he fired at least six frames while yielding two runs or fewer. Kelly sports a 2.55 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 69:12 K:BB over 67 innings since April 8, and he's next projected to face a Mariners a club with a .654 OPS against right-handed pitching across 29 outings since May 1.

Lopez was diagnosed Wednesday with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder and is expected to be out for approximately 8-to-12 weeks, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Lopez reported tightness in his right shoulder during his start Tuesday against the Athletics and requested to come out of the game after throwing a few warmup pitches prior to the sixth inning. After being sent in for further testing, Lopez has now been determined to have suffered a moderate-grade strain that will keep him out for at least two months. The Twins haven't yet announced a replacement for Lopez in their starting rotation, though David Festa looks to be a leading candidate to come up from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the void.