MLB Player News

Estes allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

The only run Estes allowed came in the fourth inning, when he began the frame by hitting Isaac Paredes with a pitch before serving up a run-scoring triple off the bat of Brandon Lowe. Promisingly, Estes recovered to retire the next three batters without allowing Lowe to cross the plate, and he finished off his outing with another scoreless inning. Though Estes holds a 6.10 ERA through 20.2 frames this season, he's held his own in three of his four starts -- the poor earned-run average is largely due to an eight-run, 3.2-inning blowup against Houston in his second appearance.

Pepiot allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Oakland on Wednesday.

Pepiot appeared on his way to a quality start after giving up one run through five frames, but he was pulled with two outs in the sixth after allowing two batters to reach base, and one came around to score after his departure. Still, this was a positive step forward in the right-hander's second game back following a stint on the injured list. Pepiot gave up three runs over just four frames while walking four batters in his return from the IL last Wednesday.

Crawford (2-4) took the loss against Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Crawford was excellent outside of the second inning -- he gave up five runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter in that frame, with the big blow being a grand slam by Gunnar Henderson. The right-hander did hold the Orioles scoreless on one hit the rest of the way, but the damage was too much to overcome against Baltimore starter Corbin Burnes. Crawford has surrendered 11 runs over 10.1 innings across his past two starts, pushing his season ERA to 3.29. It sat at 2.17 prior to the two-game downturn.

Burnes (5-2) earned the win over Boston on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out five batters over seven innings.

Burnes was splendid in the outing, yielding no extra-base hits and allowing zero earned runs for the second time in his past three starts. The right-hander's five strikeouts were mildly disappointing, but he did have his swing-and-miss stuff working with 16 whiffs in the contest. Burnes has completed at least six frames in seven straight starts and is tied for second in the league with nine quality starts on the campaign.

Imanaga (5-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Brewers, allowing seven runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over 4.1 innings.

Imanaga's last scheduled start was rained out, and instead of pushing him back, the Cubs opted to build in some extra rest for the southpaw. That plan appears to have backfired, as the seven runs he allowed Wednesday matched the total he'd given up in his first nine starts combined. His ERA rose from 0.84 to 1.86, and he's added a 1.00 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB across 58 innings through his first 10 big-league starts. Imanaga will look to shake off his first poor outing when he next takes the mound, which is tentatively projected to be a home start versus the White Sox.

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw live batting practice Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Thursday's session will be Cole's third against hitters and his first since throwing 30 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Saturday. There had been some talk after that session of the right-hander potentially next advancing to a minor-league rehab assignment, but it appears that isn't in the cards quite yet. Still, Cole seems to be progressing well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation and could be back in the Yankees' rotation by the the latter half of June.

Lopez won't start Thursday's game against the Nationals, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Lopez pitched on four days of rest for the second time all season Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings -- his shortest start of the season. Rather than sending him to the mound after a traditional four-day rest period again, Atlanta will push his next start back and give the ball to Ray Kerr to close out its current series against Washington. The team hasn't yet announced when Lopez's next start will come, though it's possible he simply moves back a day to start Friday's series opener against the Athletics.

Flexen (2-5) allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Flexen doesn't have the best command, but he hit a low point for the year with this outing. The right-hander has surrendered 16 runs across 18.1 innings over his last four starts, and Wednesday was the first time in that span he's completed five innings. He's now at a 5.50 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 42:22 K:BB over 54 innings across 12 appearances (10 starts) this season. Flexen is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Cubs.

Garrett (2-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Padres, allowing a run on six hits over five innings. He struck out two.

A Ha-Seong Kim homer in the third inning was the lone damage against Garrett, as the left-hander earned a second straight win -- he's allowed just one run on nine hits over 14 innings in that span after allowing 11 runs in his first two outings this season. Garrett's ERA is down to 4.56 with a 1.06 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB through his first 23.2 innings this year. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Rays in his next start.

Ober (5-3) took the loss Wednesday versus the Royals, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking none over five innings.

Ober gave up hard contact -- Nelson Velazquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez added a solo shot and an RBI double. This was the first time since his disastrous season debut that Ober allowed multiple homers, though he has yielded seven long balls over his last six starts. He's at a 4.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB through 57 innings over 11 starts this season. Ober's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Yankees.