MLB Player News

Skubal (8-3) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out seven.

Most of the damage against Skubal came via the long ball Wednesday -- he gave up a two-run homer to Sean Murphy in the third inning before Ramon Laureano tacked on a solo shot in the fourth. The 27-year-old Skubal has now lost back-to-back starts for the first time this season -- he's given up eight earned runs over 10.1 innings in that span. The left-hander still sports a solid 2.50 ERA on the year with a 0.97 WHIP and 105:18 K:BB across 90 innings. Skubal is lined up for another tough matchup next week at home versus the Phillies.

Bastardo, who was placed on Double-A Portland's 7-day injured list June 6, will likely require season-ending Tommy John surgery, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Bastardo will presumably receive another medical opinion or two on his elbow before a decision is made on a treatment plan, but he's expected to require a reconstructive procedure that will keep him out for the rest of the 2024 campaign and most, if not all, of the 2025 season. The 22-year-old right-hander had posted a 5.36 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB in 45.1 innings over his 10 starts with Portland prior to being deactivated.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Rodriguez will likely begin throwing off a mound within the next week after the latest imaging on his left shoulder showed "almost 100 percent healing," Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rodriguez has been out all season with a left shoulder strain, having hit a roadblock in April when he experienced renewed tightness. He's trending in a positive direction now, although he'll require a lengthy ramp-up period upon resuming mound work.

The Orioles transferred Wells (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for Nick Maton, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. Wells is out for the season after undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow this week.

Gibson was scratched from Wednesday's start in Miami due to back tightness, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matthew Liberatore will draw the start Wednesday on short notice, as Gibson's back must have tightened up on him while he was warming up before the game. Consider Gibson day-to-day until the Cardinals provide more details.

Howard is expected to serve as the Giants' bulk reliever Wednesday against the Cubs behind opening pitcher Erik Miller.

Howard worked as a starter his last time out Friday against the Angels, but he was roughed up for four earned runs on seven hits and four walks before he was pulled from the game midway through the third inning. The Giants will have him work behind Miller on Wednesday with the hope of generating better results from the right-hander.

The Marlins selected Chirinos' contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Chirinos will get the start for Miami on Wednesday versus the Cardinals. The veteran right-hander has spent all of the 2024 season with Jacksonville, collecting a 3.00 ERA and 47:23 K:BB over 66 frames covering 12 starts. He could earn additional starts for the Marlins if he pitches well.

Cortes (4-5) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Orioles, allowing five hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The crafty lefty was at his baffling best, and the only runner Baltimore got past second base against Cortes came on an Austin Wells passed ball in the sixth inning. Cortes threw a season-high 105 pitches (64 strikes) in the outing, his first time in triple digits since April 20, while the quality start was his second straight and seventh of the campaign. He'll take a 3.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 86:18 K:BB through 93.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home this weekend against Atlanta.

Suarez (3-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on six hits and five walks over 3.2 innings as the Orioles were downed 4-2 by the Yankees. He struck out three.

The 34-year-old right-hander also hit Aaron Judge with a pitch in his worst performance of the season, as Suarez tossed only 49 of 96 pitches for strikes. His control has been slipping since he returned to the rotation in late May -- over his last five starts, Suarez has a 19:13 K:BB in 23 innings despite a superficially strong 2.35 ERA. With Dean Kremer (triceps) closing in on a return and Cade Povich coming off an impressive outing against Atlanta, Suarez could wind up getting bumped to the bullpen once again. He should get at least one more turn in the rotation, however, a road start this weekend in Houston.

Irvin (5-6) took the loss Tuesday as the Nationals fell 5-0 to the Diamondbacks, giving up four runs on eight hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.

A lack of offensive support gave the right-hander no margin for error, but Irvin did himself no favors by tossing first-pitch strikes to only 11 of the 22 batters he faced and issuing a season high in free passes. In fact, the 27-year-old hadn't walked more than two batters in any 2024 start prior to Tuesday. Irvin will take a 3.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 71:19 K:BB through 86 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend in Coors Field.