MLB Player News

Gray threw a sweeper 26 times in Wednesday's start against the Astros, throwing 18 strikes with the pitch and generating four swinging strikes, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The pitch is a new one for the right-hander, but it's quickly progressed from bullpen experiment to effective in-game weapon. Per Statcast, Gray had only thrown four total sweepers coming into Wednesday's start and instead had used four other pitches -- four-seam fastball, slider, curve and cutter -- more than 17 percent of the time this season while also mixing in an occasional sinker (seven percent). The 25-year-old cites pitchers like Yu Darvish and Chris Bassitt as veterans he's attempting to emulate with a more diverse arsenal, and there have been signs in 2023 the approach is working. While Gray's swinging strike rate remains basically unchanged from last year at 11.4 percent, he's generating more groundballs than ever before (42.2 percent) and has cut more than seven points off his HR/FB% (career-low 11.4 percent), pointing to a pitcher who's producing more weak contact than before. While his career-best 3.19 ERA isn't reflected in his 4.89 xFIP, Gray is taking steps toward evolving into a reliable mid-rotation arm.

Matz (0-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and struck out two in one inning to take the extra-inning loss versus the Giants on Wednesday.

This is Matz's first loss since moving to the bullpen. He's given up four runs (three earned) over seven innings with a 7:0 K:BB in that span, and he's also yielded two hits and hit two batters. The southpaw is still on the outside looking in for the Cardinals' starting plans, but Matthew Liberatore hasn't exactly run away with the No. 5 starter job with mixed results over his last three outings. Matz has a 5.49 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB over 57.1 innings this season, and he'll likely remain in a bullpen role until the struggling Cardinals opt to mix up the rotation.

Manoah will throw a five-inning simulated game at the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Florida on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The early feedback from Manoah's work in Dunedin has been positive and he has been cleared to face hitters for the first time while there. A timetable for the big right-hander's return to Toronto remains very much up in the air.

Gray didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits over seven innings in a 5-4 loss to the Astros. He struck out five.

Gray settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning, holding Houston off the board until he surrendered a pair of solo home runs in the fourth. Notably, it was the first time this season that Gray didn't issue a walk. The 25-year-old right-hander is 4-5 with a solid 3.19 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:37 K:BB across 14 starts (79 innings) this season. Gray's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Cardinals in his next outing.

Gausman will make his next start Friday against the Rangers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He had tentatively been lined up for Saturday, but the Blue Jays will move Gausman up to Friday, when he will be on regular rest. Toronto wll go with a bullpen game Saturday in Texas.

Contreras (3-6) took the loss in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs. He allowed five runs on three hits and two walks with a strikeout over 1.1 innings.

Contreras initially looked good in his debut out of the bullpen, setting the Cubs down in order in the fifth inning. However, his fortunes changed in the sixth as he was tagged for five runs in the frame while recording just one out. Since the start of June, Contreras has allowed 17 earned runs in just 5.2 innings. His ERA is up to 6.55 with a 1.60 WHIP and 44:27 K:BB through 57.2 innings this season. If Contreras continues to struggle in a relief role, a trip to Triple-A could be on the horizon.

Snell (ankle) is listed as the Padres' probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rays.

Snell contended with swelling in his left ankle after being struck by a comebacker during his most recent start Sunday in Colorado, but neither the injury nor pitching at Coors Field prevented him from delivering his best outing of the season. The veteran southpaw set season highs in both innings pitched (seven) and strikeouts (12) while allowing one run on just three hits and one walk. After a middling start to the season, Snell has been rolling over his last four turns through the rotation, pitching to a 0.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB in 24 innings over that stretch. With the swollen ankle apparently not proving to be too bothersome during his between-starts bullpen session, Snell looks like he'll face no restrictions Saturday while facing off against his former team for the first time.

Kelly didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings in a 4-3 extra-inning loss to Philadelphia. He struck out seven.

Kelly recorded his eighth quality start over his past nine appearances. During that span, he's posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 64:17 K:BB across 56.2 innings. Given his strikeout prowess (9.7 K/9) and efficiency (83 innings across 14 starts), Kelly has emerged as one of the elite fantasy options this season. He'll look to stay sharp during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled as part of a three-game set versus Milwaukee.

Smyly (6-4) earned the victory in Wednesday's 10-6 win over Pittsburgh, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings.

The Pirates jumped on Smyly for three runs on a pair of homers in the first inning, but the veteran left-hander settled down from there, holding Pittsburgh to two more runs over his final five frames as the Cubs came back for a 10-6 win. The win snapped a three-start losing streak for Smyly, who's pitched to a 6.04 ERA over his last four outings after he hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in his previous nine starts. He now sports a 3.59 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB through 14 starts (77.2 innings) this season.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Arizona after allowing four hits and two walks across seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Suarez tossed his first scoreless outing of the campaign and notched his fourth straight quality start. During that stretch, the left-hander has allowed just four runs over 26.2 innings and has a 22:7 K:BB. He's clearly found a groove recently after looking shaky across his first three outings, and he appears to have completely put the elbow issue that cost him the start of the campaign behind him. Suarez will look to stay sharp during his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled as part of an upcoming three-game set versus Atlanta.