MLB Player News

Littell is slated to follow an opener in Monday's game against the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Left-hander PJ Poulin will open things for the Nationals before Littell carries the bulk of the workload. Littell had a rough April but has settled in in May, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 17.2 frames covering two starts and two bulk-relief appearances.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Petty was up as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, getting charged with four runs over five frames as a spot starter in the night cap of the twin bill. He's permitted seven earned runs across 10.2 frames during his brief time with the Reds this season. Petty will now rejoin the rotation at Louisville.

Bubic (elbow) started a full throwing program Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Bubic landed on the injured list Monday due to left elbow soreness, though it didn't take long for the southpaw to ramp up his throwing activity. While he's likely to remain shelved beyond the minimum 15 days and may require a rehab assignment, the early progress is an encouraging sign for the 28-year-old. Prior to the injury, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

Gore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on a hit and two walks over six innings against the Angels. He struck out seven.

Gore was stellar on the mound, allowing just three Angels to reach base as part of a superb pitcher's duel with Reid Detmers. It was an incredibly encouraging outing for Gore, particularly considering he was pulled after just one inning in his previous start due to left lat tightness. It has been an up-and-down start to the 27-year-old's first season with the Rangers, as he owns a 4.42 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 62:26 K:BB across 55 innings (11 starts). Gore is tentatively slated to make his next start Friday against the Royals.

Detmers did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on a hit and no walks over eight innings against Texas. He struck out 14.

Detmers was utterly dominant, logging a season high in innings while matching Emerson Hancock for the highest single-game strikeout total in MLB this season. His lone blemish was a Jake Burger solo homer in the second inning, as otherwise Detmers carved through the Rangers' lineup while impressively issuing no walks. Though the southpaw was unable to pick up the win, Sunday marked a massive bounce-back effort after he posted a 6.33 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 21.1 innings over his previous four outings. The 26-year-old will carry a 1-5 record with a 4.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB across 63 innings (11 starts) into his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against Tampa Bay.

Woo (4-3) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Sunday's start broke up a string of four consecutive outings with six innings for Woo, who yielded his second-most runs of the season as well. It was just the second time this year that the 26-year-old right-hander failed to pitch at least five innings, as he had been cruising along until Kansas City torched him for four runs in the fifth frame. Woo will bring a 3.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 59:14 K:BB over 63.2 innings into his next scheduled outing at home against Arizona.

Lugo (2-4) earned the win Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out three.

Lugo served up a rare home run, his third allowed this year, but otherwise provided a solid performance Sunday. Although it was his seventh quality start already this season, the 36-year-old right-hander has surrendered at least three runs in four of his past six outings after yielding two or fewer in his previous five appearances. Lugo will carry a decent 3.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:23 K:BB over 65 innings into his next scheduled start in Texas against the Rangers.

Nelson (2-3) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over eight innings against the Rockies. He struck out three.

Nelson was locked in and efficient, holding the Rockies to just one run while completing eight innings for the first time in his career. The right-hander has logged seven-plus innings in each of his past three starts and owns a 2.36 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 34.1 innings (five starts) in May. He'll look to stay in the win column next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Mariners.

Perez (2-3) took the loss against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out two across 5.2 innings.

Perez generated only two whiffs in Sunday's start, but he did induce seven groundouts. He limited the Nationals to just one run in his outing, but he was still tagged with the loss due to his Atlanta teammates failing to score until the ninth inning. Perez will bring a 2.70 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 innings this season into his next start, tentatively slated for next weekend on the road against Cincinnati.

Griffin (6-2) earned the win against Atlanta on Sunday, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six across six scoreless innings.

It was a strong bounce-back performance from Griffin, who gave up 14 earned runs over his two starts prior to Sunday's game. He was able to get out of a couple of sticky spots -- including a bases-loaded situation in the fourth inning -- to come away with his fourth quality start of the season. Griffin is up to 60 strikeouts on the season, which is second on the Nationals behind Cade Cavalli (61) and 16th in the National League. Griffin will take a 3.63 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 62 innings into his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Padres.