MLB Player News

Smyly allowed two runs on four hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Padres. He walked one and struck out four.

Smyly pitched well and was in line for the win when the Cubs made it 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the bullpen blew the lead in a 5-3 defeat. He tossed 89 pitches and failed to complete six innings for the fourth time this year in five starts, which makes sense given his age and injury history. Despite not going deep into games, the lefty has been solid with a 3.21 ERA and 0.93 WHIP to go along with 27 strikeouts across 28 innings this season. Smyly will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is likely to come early next week against Washington.

Walker was pulled from Wednesday's game against Seattle due to right forearm tightness, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

After surrendering five runs on five hits and two walks, Walker was pulled just four innings into the game. The severity of his injury is unclear at the moment, but a trip to the injured list would seem to be a possibility.

Blackburn's (finger) rehab start scheduled for Sunday was pushed back after he experienced more discomfort with his blister, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

This is now the second time Blackburn's finger blister has prevented him from making his next rehab start. He worked his way up to 62 pitches in his most recent start last Sunday, but now that he's experienced multiple setbacks, Blackburn may still be a few weeks away from his season debut.

High-A Tri-City placed Costeiu (elbow) on its full-season injured list April 6.

Costeiu was shut down last July with a right elbow injury, and though the Angels haven't revealed whether he required Tommy John surgery or another kind of procedure, his placement on the full-season IL would seem to suggest that's a strong likelihood. Before sustaining the injury last summer, Costeiu turned in a 3.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 81:19 K:BB across 68.1 innings.

The Angels promoted Dana on Tuesday from Single-A Inland Empire to High-A Tri-City.

Dana will get a tougher test after he breezed through his first three starts of the season in the hitter-friendly California League. The 19-year-old righty submitted a 1.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over 15 innings with Inland Empire.

Wainwright (groin) is scheduled to make another rehab start with Triple-A Memphis, though a date for the appearance has yet to be announced, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Wainwright will most likely take the hill Sunday, when he would be available on the standard four days' rest. The veteran right-hander has been knocked around a bit in his first two rehab outings, yielding five runs on 11 hits with a 4:1 K:BB over 7.1 innings. With Wainwright due for at least one more outing in the minors, Jake Woodford is now in line to make another start for the big club this weekend in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Wainwright is thus set up to make his 2023 debut for the Cardinals during the following weekend's series with Detroit, provided he checks out fine after his upcoming rehab start.

Marquez was diagnosed with a right triceps injury after exiting his start in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Guardians, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. He's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday in Denver.

Making his return Wednesday from a minimum-length stay on the injured list due to right forearm inflammation, Marquez (2-2) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over 3.2 innings. Though he was laboring through the start, Marquez was expected to work deeper into the outing before he felt a "sharp pain" in his arm following his 58th and final pitch of the afternoon. While initial tests on Marquez's arm didn't show any significant damage nor an aggravation of the prior injury, the Rockies won't know the full extent of the issue until after the MRI is conducted.

Darvish (hamstring) is on track to start Sunday for the Padres against the Giants in Mexico City, Joey Pollizze of MLB.com reports.

Darvish left Sunday's start against the Diamondbacks with a right hamstring cramp, but the right-hander's absence was described as precautionary. If there are any signs of setback, it's possible the Padres could push Darvish back, but it does appear that the 36-year-old won't end up missing any time with the hamstring trouble.

Kopech (0-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

It was another disappointing outing for Kopech, who allowed four runs while matching a season low with four strikeouts. In five starts this year, Kopech has made it through six innings once. His ERA rises to an unsightly 7.01 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Twins.

Kikuchi (4-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings against the White Sox. He struck out eight.

Kikuchi was sharp again Wednesday, punching out eight White Sox over 5.2 scoreless innings. He's allowed just two runs over his last three starts (17.2 innings), logging 20 strikeouts in that span. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.00 with a 1.11 WHIP and an impressive 28:6 K:BB. He'll look to stay undefeated in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Red Sox.