-
Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Fans nine in win
Kelly (4-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over seven-plus innings Monday, striking out nine and earning a win in the Diamondbacks' 5-2 victory over Oakland.
Kelly cruised through seven innings, allowing just one unearned run with nine punchouts. He then allowed a leadoff homer to Jace Peterson before putting two more runners on base without recording an out in the eighth. Miguel Castro cleaned up the mess to limit the damage. Kelly has posted a strong 30:4 K:BB over his last four starts, giving him a 55:21 mark for the year. He'll carry a 2.92 ERA into his next outing, which is currently projected to be in Pittsburgh this weekend.
-
Connor Seabold RP | KC
Rockies' Connor Seabold: Yields six runs in no-decision
Seabold allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks over 4.1 innings during Monday's win over the Reds. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.
Seabold was shaky all game, allowing at least one run in four separate innings. The Reds only collected three extra-base hits against him, including back-to-back doubles in the fifth inning by Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson. Seabold saw his ERA creep up to 5.14 with a 20:9 K:BB through 28 frames. He's currently lined up for a road start against the Rangers this weekend.
-
Tanner Houck SP | BOS
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Gives up four runs in loss
Houck (3-3) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over five innings.
Houck pitched well early, retiring the first 11 batters he faced and making it through four innings without allowing a run. However, he surrendered a two-run homer to Cal Raleigh in the fifth and then opened the sixth by allowing the first two batters to reach base, and each came around to score after his departure. Houck did flash some good swing-and-miss stuff with 15 whiffs, and his early-inning success may help him in his bid to remain in the rotation. However, his overall numbers this season aren't great, as he's posted a 5.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB over 42.2 frames.
-
Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Tagged with six runs
Greene allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk over four innings in Monday's loss to the Rockies. He struck out eight and did not factor in the decision.
Greene, who is still looking for his first win of the season, stumbled early Monday, coughing up four runs in the second inning. He then allowed a two-run homer to Brenton Doyle in the fourth. Fortunately for Greene, the Reds' offense kept pace for most of the game, so he wasn't charged with the loss. His season ERA rose to 4.60 with a 59:17 K:BB through 43 innings. Greene is projected to face the Yankees at home this weekend.
-
George Kirby SP | SEA
Mariners' George Kirby: Extends quality-start streak
Kirby (5-2) earned the win over Boston on Monday, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.
Kirby got through five scoreless frames before the Red Sox tagged him for a run in the sixth. He finished off that inning and got two more outs in the seventh before being lifted with two runners on base after tossing 97 pitches (66 strikes). Kirby fell one out shy of extending his three-game streak of throwing at least seven frames, but he did stretch his run of quality starts to seven consecutive contests. He's pitching like an All-Star this season with five wins along with a 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 41:4 K:BB through eight starts.
-
Brandon Williamson SP | CIN
Reds' Brandon Williamson: Confirmed as Tuesday's starter
Williamson will be called up from Triple-A Louisville to start Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Williamson had already joined the Reds' taxi squad ahead of Monday's series opener in Coors Field, and as expected, he'll be thrust into the rotation for what will be a traditional start in his MLB debut. Even in a more pitcher-friendly venue than Coors Field, Williamson would be difficult to recommend as a streaming option, given that he hasn't looked especially sharp in the minors this season. Over eight starts in the International league, Williamson posted a 6.62 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with a 27:20 K:BB across 34 frames.
-
Framber Valdez SP | DET
Astros' Framber Valdez: Fans eight in no-decision
Valdez allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks in Monday's 6-4 win over the Cubs. He struck out eight in four innings and didn't factor into the decision.
Valdez got through three shutout frames before coughing up four in the fourth, including Christopher Morel's three-run shot. Valdez needed 91 pitches (53 strikes) in what ended up being his shortest outing of the year. His ERA jumped from 2.38 to 2.84, though he improved his K:BB to a strong 65:12 across nine starts. Valdez is currently lined up for a home start against Oakland this weekend.
-
Jameson Taillon SP | TOR
Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Coughs up four runs
Taillon allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in Monday's loss to Houston. He struck out one and did not factor in the decision.
Taillon got off to a rocky start Monday, yielding all four runs in the first inning. He gave up five hits in the frame, including a two-run double by Jose Abreu. Taillon then settled in for 3.2 scoreless innings to limit the damage. His ERA jumped to 6.66 with a 26:7 K:BB through 24.1 frames. He's projected to take the mound in Philadelphia this weekend.
-
Jared Shuster RP | STL
Braves' Jared Shuster: Confirmed for Tuesday's start
Shuster will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Shuster has been knocked around in both of his previous two starts this season, allowing four runs in each outing while giving up 12 combined hits. He'll be asked to take the mound Tuesday in place of Max Fried, who was sent to the 15-day IL on May 9 due to a forearm strain.
-
Kenta Maeda SP | NYY
Twins' Kenta Maeda: Could throw off mound soon
The Twins are hopeful that Maeda (triceps) will be cleared to throw off the mound by the end of the week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Maeda was placed on the 15-day injured list April 29 due to a right triceps strain, and while he remains without a firm timetable for a return, this latest update is positive news. The team will likely ask him to complete a few side sessions before beginning a rehab assignment.