MLB Player News

The Rockies optioned Davis to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

After a month-long stay on the injured list due to elbow inflammation before he was optioned to the minors, Davis rejoined the Colorado rotation Tuesday. The rookie right-hander was unable to make a case for a more permanent stint with the big club, however, as he was blasted for five earned runs on five hits and four walks across four innings en route to taking a loss against the Reds. Davis will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Karl Kauffmann, who is expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Wednesday's series finale in Cincinnati.

The Rockies recalled Kauffmann from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday

Though reliever Jake Bird is getting the nod as the Rockies' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, Kauffman could be tasked with covering the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen in the series finale with the Reds. Since usual starters Kyle Freeland (illness) and Connor Seabold (arm) weren't available to take the hill Wednesday like the Rockies hoped, Kauffman likely represents the freshest arm the team will have available who's capable of covering multiple frames. Kauffmann previously made three starts with the Rockies earlier this season but posted an ugly 11.37 ERA and 2.29 WHIP in 12.2 innings.

Waldichuk served as the opener for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, firing 1.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts.

Waldichuk's mostly sharp performance saw him pound 20 of his 27 pitches in for strikes and set the table effectively for bulk reliever Luis Medina, who followed with 4.1 frames of one-run ball. Waldichuk appears to be finding his groove as a multi-role reliever, now having pitched to a 1.69 ERA and not having allowed a home run over the 10.2 innings covering his last five appearances. However, control remains a persistent issue, as the southpaw also owns a 1.69 WHIP during the same span thanks in large part to a 5.9 BB/9.

Cole (8-1) earned the win over the Mariners on Tuesday, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out eight over 7.1 innings.

Cole got through five scoreless frames before the Mariners tacked on their only run of the night on an RBI double from Jarred Kelenic in the sixth. The double was the Mariners' only extra-base hit of the night, as Cole was his usual dominant self, registering 20 whiffs and a 34 percent CSW. He's put together a sparking 1.78 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB across four starts in June so far and tentatively lines up for a tough test against the Rangers over the weekend.

Kirby (6-6) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on eight hits over seven innings. He struck out four.

Kirby had the misfortune of being opposed by a razor-sharp Gerrit Cole, who was a tad more effective than the young right-hander and ensured his opposite number didn't get sufficient run support. There was still plenty to be optimistic about from Kirby's perspective, considering he worked 67 of his 95 offerings into the strike zone and was primarily done in by just one pitch, a 96 mph sinker Billy McKinney deposited 432 feet away with Harrison Bader aboard. The outing marked Kirby's second straight quality start and third such effort in his last four trips to the mound.

Gore (3-6) took the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals after allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Gore tied his season high with nine hits allowed, including two home runs, both to Dylan Carlson. Gore did rack up eight strikeouts, his most since he had 11 on May 28, but he has still failed to win a decision since April 26. The 24-year-old now owns a 4.02 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 95:34 K:BB over 80.2 innings.

Montgomery (4-7) earned the win Tuesday over the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings.

The lone blemish against Montgomery came in the fourth when the Nationals tallied two extra-base hits for a run. The southpaw put together one of his best starts of the year, matching a season-high seven innings pitched and winning his second decision in a row. Over his last five starts, Montgomery owns a sparkling 2.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB in 30 innings. With the Cardinals traveling to London this weekend, Montgomery lines up to take the mound again next week at home against the Astros.

Davis took the loss Tuesday against the Reds after giving up five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out two over four innings.

Davis tossed clean innings in the first and fourth but allowed a three-run homer to TJ Friedl in the second and a solo blast to Elly De La Cruz in the third. He generated just five swinging strikes in an unimpressive start. Davis now has a 7.47 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB in 15.2 innings. He tentatively lines up for a home start against the Dodgers next week.

Lively allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four in four innings Tuesday against the Rockies. He did not factor into the decision.

Lively needed 80 pitches to get through four innings and only tossed 45 strikes in the effort. Tuesday was his shortest start since entering the rotation and his four walks were a season high. He allowed home runs in the first and fourth innings, which marks the fourth time in seven starts he's let up multiple long balls. Lively has still maintained respectable numbers overall, registering a 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 45:13 K:BB in 46 innings so far. He'll look to get back in the win column versus the Orioles next week.

Pfaadt is a potential option to help fix the back end of Arizona's rotation, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Arizona GM Mike Hazen discussed potential options to help the rotation, which, outside of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, had a 6.18 ERA over 43 starts heading into Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. The GM noted external options are not likely at this time, as there aren't many sellers given the number of teams still in the mix for the postseason, which turned the focus of the conversation to Triple-A Reno. Pfaadt has made four starts for Aces since a five-start introduction to MLB during May. "His velocity has been good, strike-throwing good, throwing to top of zone well," Hazen said. "He's done a good job. I think with the amount of strikes he throws, he's going to get clipped (for homers) in those environments and probably in the major leagues some." Pfaadt has a 3.86 ERA with 21 strikeouts, five walks and four home runs over his four starts (18.2 innings) at Reno. He allowed three solo homers in his most recent start.