MLB Player News

Ashcraft (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing five earned runs, nine hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out six.

Ashcraft labored through 5.2 innings and 99 pitches, leaving a high-scoring game in Cincinnati with the lead. Although he was roughed up for five earned runs and nine hits, the 26-year-old right-hander managed to generate 16 whiffs on his three-pitch mix. Ashcraft draws a much easier opponent in his next start, slated to be on the road against the White Sox.

Ashby (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out two.

Ashby faced a tough test Monday night against the Reds on the road for his first major-league appearance since October 2022. The 25-year-old left-hander also worked with a significantly diminished pitch arsenal compared to 2022, as his sinker averaged only 93.6 mph, down 2.1 mph. Ashby should continue to occupy a place in the Brewers rotation until Jakob Junis (shoulder) is healthy. He is scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Orioles.

Keller (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs, five hits and three walks over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out nine.

After allowing four runs in each of his first two outings, Keller looked like a frontline starter Monday against the Detroit, scattering two runs while allowing eight baserunners. He generated an impressive 13 whiffs, including nine alone on his sinker, while racking up nine strikeouts. Keller scheduled to make his next start against the Phillies on the road.

Olson (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

After opening the season with 5.2 shutout innings against the Mets, Olson looked significantly less sharp Monday against the Pirates, allowing a career-high nine hits. Most disappointingly, the 24-year-old tallied only three strikeouts for his second straight outing, well below his 8.9 K/9 in 103.2 innings last year. Olson is slated to make his next start at home against the Twins.

McKenzie (1-1) earned the victory against the White Sox on Monday, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was not the cleanest outing for McKenzie, who allowed seven baserunners, including four free passes, but he was able to keep the hapless White Sox lineup in check to earn his first win of the season. However, after making only four starts last season due to lingering shoulder and elbow issues, a scoreless, healthy outing can't be considered anything but a plus for the talented right-hander, who will be looking to top 120 innings for just the second time in his five-year career. He's tentatively slated to make his next start at home during next weekend's series against the Yankees.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will have another minor-league rehab start on the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear which affiliate Verlander will start for, but the veteran right-hander appears to be progressing through his rehab well. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in Sunday's outing with Triple-A Sugar Land, but he also struck out six batters.

After pitching with Double-A Tennessee on Sunday, Taillon (back) will join Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Taillon threw 52 pitches over 2.2 innings with Tennessee on Sunday and gave up four runs on six hits and a walk. It wasn't a great performance, but he feels good enough to move up to Triple-A to continue his rehab. Taillon began the season on the 15-day IL after sustaining a lower-back injury in spring training.

Valdez was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Rangers after experiencing soreness in the top of his left elbow after playing catch, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez has been sent back to Houston to be evaluated by team doctors. Both Astros manager Joe Espada and general manager Dana Brown have downplayed the level of concern, noting that the lefty hasn't yet been placed on the injured list. That said, more won't be known until the team gets results of the exam, which won't be until at least Tuesday. Blair Henley is drawing a spot start Monday in Valdez's place.

The Angels placed Silseth on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right elbow inflammation.

Silseth struggled over his first two starts, giving up six runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out 12 over eight innings, going 0-1 over that span. Jose Soriano will take Silseth's spot in the rotation, getting the start Wednesday against the Rays.

Garrett (shoulder) is scheduled to make a second rehab start Friday with Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 26-year-old lefty threw 66 pitchers over 4.1 frames during Sunday's rehab outing, and he's expected to build up to around 80 pitches Friday. Assuming that goes well, Garrett could then be cleared to join the Marlins' starting rotation next week.