MLB Player News

Heaney (2-3) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.

Heaney put in a solid effort, but the Rangers couldn't do anything with their seven hits in the contest. The southpaw's trouble with the long ball continued Tuesday when he gave up a seventh-inning blast to Tom Murphy, the sixth home run he's allowed over his last three starts. Heaney has a 5.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB through 36 innings over seven starts this season. He's projected for a favorable weekend start in Oakland.

Valdez (3-4) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits over eight innings against the Angels. He struck out 12.

Valdez delivered his best outing of the season in a showdown with Shohei Ohtani. Valdez posted season highs in innings and strikeouts, punctuating the evening by sitting down Mike Trout on three pitches in the eighth. Valdez has been a tough-luck loser this season with four losses despite never allowing more than three runs. The Astros offense ranks 27th in OPS, giving Valdez less margin for error so far.

Taillon allowed four runs on five hits across 2.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Cardinals. He walked two and struck out five.

The five strikeouts are the only positive here, as Taillon otherwise struggled mightily before getting pulled after tossing 69 pitches. The righty has gone a total of 5.2 innings in two starts since returning from the injured list May 4, and his ERA now sits at an ugly 6.41. This certainly isn't what the Cubs had in mind when they paid Taillon $68 million over four years in the offseason. He'll look to get on track in his next start, which should come early next week against Houston.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Brewers that the team will see how Syndergaard's right index finger responds over the next few days before determining his next steps, Matthew Moreno of DodgersBlue.com reports.

Syndergaard left Tuesday's start in the second inning after experiencing a cut on his right index finger. The right-hander is now in danger of missing his next scheduled start early next week, but his status likely won't be determined until the weekend at the earliest.

Lauer (3-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings against the Dodgers. He struck out four.

Lauer gave up a solo shot on the second pitch of the game to Mookie Betts. After his first time through the order, the Brewers trailed 3-0. Lauer picked wins in three of his first four starts, but he has not gotten through five innings in his last three outings. He's allowed 12 runs in his last three starts, though just seven of them are earned. Lauer's ERA sits at 4.72 with 33 strikeouts in 34.1 innings after seven starts.

Ortiz (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Ortiz allowed just one run through his first three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing a pair of singles to lead off the frame before Tucupita Marcano missed a potential double-play ball, allowing the Rockies to take a 2-1 lead. Ortiz surrendered another three runs in the frame en route to an eventual 10-1 loss. The 24-year-old right-hander could make at least one more start while Vince Velasquez (elbow) is on the IL. Ortiz had been pitching well in Triple-A with a 2.23 ERA and 29:11 K:BB through seven starts (32.1 innings).

Varland did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Padres. He struck out six.

Varland made his second consecutive start Tuesday, taking advantage of Tyler Mahle's (elbow) and Kenta Maeda's (triceps) injuries by turning in his best outing of the season. After giving up four home runs across his first two starts of 2023, Varland allowed just one extra-base hit while keeping the ball in the park against San Diego. Though it's unclear how long Varland will remain in the rotation, he is expected to take the mound at least once more and should be an intriguing streaming option considering he has racked up at least six strikeouts in each of his three starts this season.

Seabold (1-0) earned the win Tuesday, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

Seabold was solid against the Pirates, allowing just a run on three hits to pick up his first win in his second start this season. The 27-year-old Seabold lowered his ERA to 4.56 with a 1.44 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 23.2 innings. With Noah Davis (elbow) eligible to come off the IL on Monday, the Rockies may elect to move Seabold back to the bullpen.

Wacha (3-1) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over six innings in a 6-1 victory over the Twins. He struck out four.

Wacha nabbed his second consecutive quality start Tuesday, holding the Twins to just one run on three hits. Though Wacha went through a rough patch in mid-April where he allowed 15 runs over three starts (13.1 innings), the veteran righty has bounced back with just one run allowed over his last two appearances (12.0 innings). Outside of his poor three-game stretch, Wacha has been quite effective in limiting damage, but considering he has struck out three or fewer batters in four of his seven starts, his fantasy upside should remain capped.

Schmidt (1-3) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Athletics. He struck out seven.

Schmidt made it six innings for the first time all season, fanning seven batters and allowing just two runs to earn his first win. However, Schmidt's trouble with power sustained, as he gave up a solo home run to Jordan Diaz in the fourth inning, marking his eighth long ball allowed in as many starts. Though Schmidt will likely find himself on the outside looking in on the Yankees rotation once Carlos Rodon (back) and Luis Severino (lat) return from the injured list, he should remain a high-risk, high-reward streaming option given his high strikeout rate (10.95 K/9).