MLB Player News

Ritchie gave up two hits and two walks over five scoreless relief innings in Friday's loss to the Mets. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander finished out the game after Spencer Strider (forearm) was pulled following a leadoff walk to MJ Melendez in the bottom of the fourth inning while showing greatly diminished velocity. Strider has already been placed on the IL and is being sent for an MRI on Saturday, and Ritchie's impressive relief performance over 73 pitches (42 strikes) makes him the logical candidate to move into the rotation. Over 30.2 innings in the majors this season, Ritchie has a 3.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Boyd (shoulder/knee) played catch without issue Friday, and the Cubs are hoping that the left-hander can progress "rapidly," MLB.com reports.

After building up his pitch count to 80 in his second rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on June 6 while working his way back from a left knee meniscectomy, Boyd appeared poised to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend. However, after he reported shoulder soreness following a bullpen session Tuesday, the Cubs opted to delay his return. Boyd's ability to resume throwing just a few days later suggests the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, but he'll still need to complete another bullpen session without any discomfort before the Cubs sign off on activating him. The Cubs will next require a fifth starter Wednesday versus the Rockies at Wrigley Field, and Javier Assad would be in line to get the ball that day if Boyd isn't cleared to pitch by then.

Atlanta placed Strider on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

Strider was forced to make an early exit from his start Friday due to arm soreness, and although he's now been confirmed to be dealing with an elbow injury, it remains unknown whether his inflammation is the result of a structural issue. He'll sit out for at least a couple of weeks, and a more accurate return timeline should come out once the team determines the severity of his injury. In the meantime, Anthony Molina will come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to give Atlanta some extra bullpen depth until a fifth starter is needed.

Baz (4-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings in a 7-3 victory over the Padres. He struck out one.

The lone strikeout was a season low for Baz, but he got plenty of support from the Orioles offense as he collected his third win in his last four starts. The right-hander has been tagged for two earned runs or fewer in five straight outings, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB over his last 30.2 innings, but his ratios have also been cushioned by five unearned runs during that time. Baz will look to stay stingy in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Seattle.

Ryan wasn't involved in the decision Friday against the Cardinals. He allowed three runs on six hits across six innings while striking out eight.

Ryan has six quality starts over his last seven appearances, and the star hurler continues to be a consistent, dependable presence on the mound for the Twins every time he takes the ball. Ryan, who has at least eight strikeouts in four of his last five appearances as well, owns a 2.66 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 across 44 innings and eight starts since the beginning of May. He's slated to make his next start on the road against the Rangers.

Canning (0-5) took the loss Friday, surrendering seven runs on six hits and five walks over five innings as the Padres fell 7-3 to the Orioles. He struck out six.

The 30-year-old right-hander got tagged for three runs in the first and second innings and served up multiple homers for the third time in his last four starts. Canning's return to California after a one-year stint with the Mets has been a disaster so far -- since coming off the IL in early May, he's stumbled to a 7.17 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 39:22 K:BB in 37.2 innings. With German Marquez (forearm) on the same schedule during his rehab assignment and pitching well, the clock may be ticking on Canning's time in the rotation. He's set to make his next start on the road next week in St. Louis.

Leahy didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins. He allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk across five innings while striking out five.

Leahy tossed only 49 of his 77 pitches for strikes and wasn't involved in the decision for a fourth consecutive outing. He's given up at least three earned runs in three of those starts, so it's hard to rely on him in most fantasy formats, especially since he's also failed to pitch more than five innings in each of those aforementioned four outings. Leahy owns a 4.30 ERA with a 25:12 K:BB since the beginning of May and is slated to make his next start at home against the Padres.

Littell (6-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on four hits and a walk over just 1.2 innings in a 10-2 rout at the hands of the Mariners.

A two-run homer by Colt Emerson in the second inning was the biggest blow as Littell got the hook after 56 pitches (43 strikes). The veteran right-hander had given up two runs or fewer in seven straight outings coming into Friday, but this performance looked more like the struggling pitcher who exited April with a 7.85 ERA. Littell will try to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Royals.

Kay (6-1) earned the win Friday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk across five innings. He struck out a season-high seven.

Kay had given up six runs on seven hits (including two homers) in his previous start at Philadelphia, but he bounced back admirably against one of the best offenses in baseball. That outing against the Phillies was an outlier, though, as Kay has given up two earned runs or fewer in all but one of his last eight starts (41.1 innings), posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over that stretch. Kay is slated to make his next start on the road against the Yankees.

Sasaki (3-4) was tagged with the loss Friday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Sasaki was coming off one of the most dominant outings of his career, striking out 10 across seven shutout innings in a no-decision against the Angels on June 5. However, he couldn't keep it rolling against one of the hottest offenses in the AL. Sasaki seemed to be finding his groove, as he had gone four straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs before Friday. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to come at home against the Rays.