MLB Player News

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.

Brown (5-1) picked up the win Saturday in an 8-3 victory over the White Sox, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

The right-hander wobbled early as Chicago put a three-spot on the board in the first inning, but Brown settled in and gave his offense a chance to mount a comeback. The three earned runs are the most Brown has given up in a start this season, while he extended his quality start streak to seven with the performance. He'll take a 1.67 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB through 43 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Reds.

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.

Littell (2-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits over seven innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

It looked like the right-hander was headed for another tough-luck loss when he exited the mound with the Rays down 2-1, but a two-run rally in the top of the eighth flipped the script. Littell has produced four quality starts in seven trips to the mound, but this was the first one in which he came away with the win. Keeping the ball in the park remains an issue, however -- both runs he gave up Saturday came on solo shots, and he's served up 10 homers in 41 innings this year. He'll carry a 4.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Brewers.

The Tigers optioned Owens to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Owens appeared in two games out of the Tigers' bullpen since being recalled from Triple-A on May 1 and allowed one hit and no walks while striking out one batter over two innings. He'll head back to Triple-A in order to make room on the Tigers' 26-man roster for Beau Brieske (ankle), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Owens should get another chance in the majors this season when Detroit needs to add depth to its bullpen.

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.

Kirby (shoulder) will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Kirby is in the final stages of his recovery from right shoulder inflammation that caused him to be placed on the 15-day injured list at the beginning of the season. He's slated to make his first rehab outing Sunday, and he'll need at least two or three starts in Triple-A before making his way back to the majors.

Woodruff (shoulder) is slated to make his next minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

In his most recent rehab appearance Wednesday, Woodruff allowed one unearned run over 5.2 innings while striking out three batters. He's now through four minor-league outings -- two at Triple-A and two at High-A -- and has thrown 18.1 frames in total. Hogg reports that after Tuesday's scheduled start, Woodruff may take part in a shorter outing May 11, though that will depend on conversations between him and the organization. It's possible that Woodruff could be activated off the injured list instead of making that additional rehab appearance, but otherwise he seems slated to make his 2025 Brewers debut sometime in mid-May.