MLB Player News

Suarez (1-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk over seven innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.

Suarez finished a season-high seven innings and allowed a season-low one run. It was the best start of the year for the left-hander, who began the campaign on the injured list with an elbow issue. Over his past two starts, Suarez has given up just three runs across 13.2 innings, but he's posted a modest 7:3 K:BB during that stretch. Either way, he's finding his groove after a slow start and will look to stay strong during his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled during a three-game weekend set versus the Dodgers.

Houck (3-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over five innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Houck tied his season high with four walks and allowed at least four runs for the fourth time over his past six starts. The 2017 first-round pick worked primarily out of the bullpen last year but has operated exclusively as a starter to begin this season. While his ERA has ballooned significantly as a starter, he's still posting a similar WHIP and K:BB, which suggests he could turn things around eventually. However, things won't get easier for Houck anytime soon, as his next start is scheduled for the opener of a three-game weekend set at Yankee Stadium.

Bradley (4-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out six.

Bradley allowed two or fewer runs and finished five innings for the fourth time this season. The rookie has made seven appearances across two stints at the big-league level this year, posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB over 35 innings. Bradley figures to remain in the rotation moving forward given the numerous injuries to Tampa Bay's starters. His next start is scheduled for the opener of a three-game weekend set versus the Rangers.

Mikolas (4-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on 10 hits and zero walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out two.

Mikolas' 10 hits allowed tied his season-high mark, but he still gave up three or fewer runs and finished at least five innings for a 10th consecutive start. During that stretch, he's posted a modest 45:12 K:BB across 60.1 innings. Despite the lack of strikeouts, Mikolas is clearly in a groove after stumbling out of the gate (16 earned runs over his first three appearances) and will look to stay strong during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled during a three-game weekend set versus the Reds.

Hill (5-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over 6.2 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out six.

Hill had given up 11 earned runs over his past two starts, so his quality start Sunday was definitely a step in the right direction. Aside from a few blowup outings, the veteran left-hander has been solid to start his age-43 season and sports a 4.41 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 61:21 K:BB over 12 starts (65.1 innings). Hill will look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which is tentatively scheduled during a three-game weekend set versus the Mets.

Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed Sunday that Whitley (lat) could be an option to join the major-league squad as a reliever once he's healthy and activated from Triple-A Sugar Land's 7-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Though he's been regarded as one of the Astros' top pitching prospects for more than a half decade, Whitley has yet to make his MLB debut, with multiple setbacks on the health front having stalled his development. Now on the mend from a right lat strain that's expected to keep him shelved for around 3-to-4 months, Whitley likely won't have enough time to get stretched back out for a starting role at Triple-A even if he meets the short end of that recovery timeline. The Astros still believe the 25-year-old right-hander possesses the sort of arsenal that can make him an effective weapon out of the bullpen, so if he's quickly able to reclaim command and velocity upon returning from the injury, he could make his long-awaited MLB debut at some point during the final month of the season.

Wood, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a back strain, is expected to spend the minimum amount of time on the shelf, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

While the Giants are hopeful Wood isn't dealing with a significant injury, he has a checkered history on the health front, so fantasy managers shouldn't take it as a given that he'll back in 15 days. At the very least, the Giants will have to replace Wood for two turns through the rotation, with Jakob Junis and the newly recalled Tristan Beck looking like the most logical candidates to fill in for the veteran southpaw.

San Francisco placed Wood on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a back strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

It's unknown when Wood picked up the injury, as he hadn't pitched since allowing six runs in a loss to the Pirates on Wednesday. The left-hander will miss two-plus weeks with the strain, and the Giants have recalled Tristan Beck from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Wood was scheduled to make his next start Tuesday in Colorado, but the Giants have yet to name a formal replacement for him in the rotation.

Stripling (back) received a cortisone shot for his SI joint, and he could advance to facing hitters soon, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Stripling told Slusser that he's also made changes to his delivery and is standing more upright than he was prior to his injury. The right-hander has been on the injured list with a back strain since the middle of May, and assuming he does face hitters in the coming days, he could have a chance to rejoin the San Francisco pitching staff around the middle of June.

Woodruff (shoulder) continues to throw off flat ground and remains hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list around the All-Star break, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff was cleared to start playing catch about two weeks ago and is likely gradually stretching out his throwing distance, but the Brewers aren't yet ready to have him advance to mound work. Once he's able to get a few bullpen sessions under his belt, Woodruff will then face hitters in live batting practice before likely pitching in at least one or two minor-league games or simulated games prior to being activated from the IL.