MLB Player News

Keller (7-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk across six innings during a 9-4 victory over the Giants. He struck out eight.

Keller allowed a season-high 10 hits, but he got plenty of run support and cruised to his seventh win. The right-hander has given up 10 runs over his past two starts (12 innings) after surrendering just 13 across his previous nine appearances (58 innings). His ERA has ballooned to 3.25, but he still holds a superb 1.08 WHIP and 93:17 K:BB across 74.2 innings. Despite back-to-back rocky starts, Keller remains the ace of the Pirates' pitching staff and will look to reclaim his dominant form in his next start, which tentatively lines up as a home start versus Oakland.

Brown (5-2) took the loss against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over 4.2 innings.

The strikeout stuff continues to be there for Brown -- he has now fanned eight or more batters in four straight contests -- but he gave up a season-high five runs and was unable to complete five innings. All of Minnesota's hits against him were singles, though four of them came in the third frame and led to three runs. Brown has had a few mediocre outings this season, but he's been solid overall, posting a 3.61 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB across 62.1 frames.

Varland moved to 3-1 on the season Wednesday after tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing four hits and one walk while striking out five batters in an 8-2 win over Houston.

Varland suffered his first loss of the campaign against Toronto in his previous start, but he got back in the win column with a sterling effort Wednesday. The right-hander tossed a season-high seven innings and held the Astros scoreless, notching his fifth quality start through seven appearances. None of the four hits Varland allowed went for extra bases, and he continued to demonstrate good control -- he's surrendered one or fewer free passes in each of his past four starts. Varland originally slid into the rotation as a result of an injury to Tyler Mahle (elbow). Mahle won't return to action this season, but it's unclear if Varland will keep his spot in the rotation when Kenta Maeda (triceps) makes it back to the majors, potentially within the next two weeks.

Nola (4-4) took the loss against the Mets on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Nola would have likely had better results if not for the presence of Mark Canha, who knocked in all four runs against the veteran hurler. There were some things to like about Nola's performance -- he allowed just one extra-base hit and extended his streak of pitching six-plus innings to nine games -- but he also tied a season high with three walks and struck out just five batters. The right-hander's ability to pitch deep into games has been an asset for Philadelphia, but his overall numbers are a drop off compared to last season. On the campaign, he's posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:18 K:BB across 74.2 frames.

Carrasco improved to 2-2 with a win over Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.

Carrasco was efficient in tossing 52 of 82 pitches for a strike over six frames, and the only run he allowed came on an Edmundo Sosa solo shot. The veteran righty picked up his second straight quality start, with each outing resulting in a victory. Carrasco struggled to begin the campaign, allowing 11 earned runs across 8.2 innings over his first two starts. He's been much better since then, yielding two or fewer runs in three of his subsequent four outings and completing at least five frames in each appearance during that span.

Paxton took a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Cincinnati after allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over five innings.

Paxton looked very good in the outing, notching twice as many punchouts (eight) as hits allowed (four). He racked up an impressive 22 swinging strikes but couldn't go deeper into the contest since he needed 100 pitches to get through five frames. Paxton was knocked around to the tune of five runs over three frames against the Angels his last time out but has otherwise been a nice addition for Boston since coming off the IL on May 10, yielding two or fewer earned runs in his other three starts. Paxton also appears to still have above-average swing-and-miss stuff, as he's tallied 27 strikeouts across 19 innings overall.

Wesneski allowed one run on one hit across 3.2 innings of relief in Wednesday's loss to the Rays. He walked two and struck out four.

Wesneski entered in the fourth inning with starter Justin Steele departing with left forearm tightness. The former had just been recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and last pitched in an MLB game back on May 13, but he looked sharp nonetheless. It's unclear if Steele will have to miss time moving forward, though if he does, Wesneski would be a logical candidate to step into the rotation spot after making eight starts earlier in the year for the Cubs.

Rodon (back/forearm) will throw another bullpen session Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Friday will mark Rodon's third bullpen session since he resumed throwing May 14. While he still doesn't have a timetable in place for a return, the fact he still hasn't faced hitters yet signals that it could be a few more weeks before Rodon makes his season debut.

Kaprielian (0-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings during a 4-2 defeat against Atlanta. He struck out four.

Kaprielian allowed three or fewer runs for the third time over his past four starts, but he still suffered his sixth loss of the season. The veteran right-hander moved to a relief role in mid-April before being sent to Triple-A Las Vegas, but he got another shot in the rotation in mid-May with Drew Rucinski (illness) and Paul Blackburn (finger) sidelined and has been relatively successful. Blackburn has since been activated, but Kaprielian appears to have done enough to remain in the rotation for the time being. His next start is tentatively scheduled during a three-game set in Pittsburgh.

Shuster (2-2) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks across 5.1 innings during a 4-2 victory over the Athletics. He struck out one.

Shuster has made four straight starts since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in mid-May. He's finished at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs in each of those appearances. However, walks remain an issue for the rookie left-hander, who holds a questionable 21:19 K:BB over his first 30.2 career innings. Regardless, the 2020 first-round pick figures to see plenty of work at the big-league level with Kyle Wright (shoulder) and Max Fried (forearm) not expected back from the injured list until July. Shuster's next start is scheduled during a three-game homestand versus the Mets.