MLB Player News

Burke (2-4) earned the win against the Brewers on Thursday, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.

Three of the six baserunners Burke allowed came in the first inning, but he was able to escape a bases-loaded situation after getting Rhys Hoskins to fly out. Burke proceeded to retire the minimum number of batters in four of the next five frames and came away with his second quality start of the season on 94 pitches (58 strikes) while generating 10 whiffs. His efforts Thursday dropped his ERA and WHIP to 4.91 and 1.36, respectively, over 33 innings. Burke will look to make it two wins in a row in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Royals.

The Tigers recalled Owens from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Owens received a promotion to Triple-A to start the season and has since turned in a 4.50 ERA and 1.79 WHIP alongside an 11:9 K:BB through 14 innings with the Mud Hens. Despite his subpar performance, he'll be recalled to the majors for the first time to replace Kenta Maeda, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Owens' stay in Detroit will likely be short, however, as Beau Brieske (ankle) is nearing activation from the injured list.

Skenes (3-3) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Cubs after surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings.

The right-hander was staked an early 2-0 lead and kept Chicago off the board through four frames, but Dansby Swanson, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki hit solo homers during the fifth inning to saddle Skenes with the loss. The 22-year-old set season worsts with two strikeouts and four walks, and it was also the first time this year he didn't work into the sixth inning. The performance breaks a run of three straight quality starts for Skenes, though he still has an impressive 2.74 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB on the campaign.

Rea (2-0) earned the win Thursday in Pittsburgh after giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out two.

It was an efficient performance for Rea, who needed just 73 pitches to record 18 outs as he delivered his first quality start of 2025. The right-hander has surrendered just four earned runs in 24.2 innings this season and has won two consecutive starts. Rea will carry a 1.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB into a likely matchup with the Giants next week.

Liberatore (2-3) was charged with the loss Thursday in Cincinnati after giving up two runs on two hits and a walk across three innings. He struck out two.

The left-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Jose Trevino during the second inning but didn't get a chance to work much deeper into Thursday's contest due to a lengthy rain delay. The long ball is just the second allowed this season by Liberatore, and he's also issued only three walks through six starts. He's been a strong rotation piece for St. Louis early in 2025 and has a 3.44 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 30 strikeouts over 34 innings.

Abbott didn't factor in the decision Thursday against the Cardinals after allowing a run on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The lone tally against him came during the third inning as St. Louis scored on two singles, an error, a walk and a wild pitch. Abbott was unable to stick around long enough to qualify for the victory thanks to an extended rain delay. It's the second straight start in which the left-hander has walked at least four batters, which is a major jump compared to the three free passes he issued in his first two outings of the season. Abbott's overall numbers this year are still good with a 3.32 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 19 innings.

Buehler did not bounce back well from his start Saturday and is back in Boston for testing on his shoulder while the team is in Toronto, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Buehler is dealing with shoulder soreness and Boston is unsure if a trip to the injured list will be needed. The right-hander was expected to start Friday, but Brayan Bello is now set to take the mound instead, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Saturday will now be open for a pitcher to be named later with Garrett Crochet remaining set to pitch Sunday.

Smith-Shawver appears on track to make another start during Atlanta's four-game series versus Cincinnati that begins Monday after he was struck in the right elbow by a line drive during his start in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Rockies, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

After getting the call back from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Smith-Shawver stepped into the rotation and tossed 5.1 innings of two-run ball before leaving after 59 pitches when he was on the receiving end of a 105-mile-per-hour line drive. According to Wiley Ballard of FanDuel Sports Network South, Smith-Shawver said he was fortunate that the line drive caught him on the "meaty part" of the forearm, and follow-up X-rays on his arm revealed no fracture to his elbow. Atlanta has not yet officially confirmed Smith-Shawver for his next start, but he appears to line up for Monday's series opener with the Reds at Truist Park.

Senga (3-2) took the loss Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing a run on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out six.

Senga did a good job limiting the damage Thursday, though he was only able to make it through four innings after throwing 87 pitches. Still, Senga's yet to allow more than two earned runs in a start this year. His ERA now sits at a pristine 1.38 with a 1.16 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB across six outings (32.2 innings). Senga's currently lined up for a rematch with Arizona on the road in his next start.

Gallen (2-4) earned the win in Thursday's 4-2 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The Mets had few answers for Gallen, who allowed just one hit through his first five scoreless innings before giving up a solo home run to Juan Soto in the sixth. It was an encouraging outing for the right-hander, who had struggled to a 6.65 ERA over four starts coming into Thursday. Gallen's ERA now sits at 4.93 on the year with a 1.30 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB across seven outings (38.1 innings). He'll look to build on Thursday's performance in his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home in a rematch with the Mets.