MLB Player News

Kelly believes he's figured out an issue with his mechanics ahead of Wednesday's start against the Reds, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly has allowed 16 earned runs in 17 innings over his last four starts, including an outing at Dodger Stadium in which he allowed eight runs in two innings. He pitched brilliantly prior to that stretch, posting a 1.71 ERA over 42 innings and seven starts. "I think more than anything it's a feel thing," Kelly said. "My timing has been a little bit off as far as mechanics. But the last week, with my bullpen (Monday), has been a lot better. It's been a lot easier to command stuff. It's been going where I want it to." A common thread in the four recent outings has been walks -- he's issued 13 free passes in those 17 innings. When the right-hander was cruising, 68 percent of his pitches were strikes compared to 60 percent during the recent four-game run. Kelly enters Wednesday's game confident he'll get back to attacking hitters as he had earlier in the season.

German (shoulder) will likely throw multiple innings the next time he tosses from a mound, and that could soon be followed by a rehab assignment, Brian Hall of MLB.com reports.

German has yet to pitch this season as a result of shoulder issues that have been bothering him since January, but he appears to be moving close to a minor-league rehab assignment. The right-hander is likely still weeks away from being ready to return to the majors, and it's unclear if he'll even have a spot on the big-league roster when he's back to full health.

Ashcraft (3-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Diamondbacks after allowing three hits with four strikeouts and zero walks over six scoreless innings.

The rookie right-hander threw 51 of his 76 pitches for strikes and generated 10 swinging strikes while holding Arizona to only three baserunners. Ashcraft has now won his past three starts, and he's given up only a single run over 19.1 innings during that stretch. The 24-year-old has a 1.14 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 23.2 frames through the first four outings of his MLB career.

Suarez allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Suarez held his own pretty well in the spot start, with all three runs on his line coming in the second inning. He's logged a 5.96 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 19:14 K:BB through 22.2 innings in six outings (five starts) this season. Suarez is not guaranteed to keep his place in the Angels' six-man rotation -- if he does, he lines up for a difficult road start versus the Dodgers next week.

Whitlock allowed four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five in four innings versus the Angels on Tuesday. He didn't factor in the decision.

Whitlock had some trouble with Mike Trout in particular, as the Angels' star outfielder hit a two-run home run and a double before exiting the game with groin tightness. Whitlock didn't do that well to settle in, and he was done after 71 pitches (47 strikes) in a shaky outing. The right-hander now has a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 49:11 K:BB across 48.2 innings in 13 appearances (nine starts). He still sits with a 2-1 record heading into his next start.

Rodon allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four innings, taking a no-decision Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Rodon was brutally inefficient, needing 98 pitches to complete four frames in his second-shortest start of the year. He's still allowed more than two runs only twice in his 11 outings this season, but the southpaw has now gone without a win in his last five games. He's at a 3.51 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 75:22 K:BB through 59 innings this season. Rodon will aim to pitcher deeper into his next start, tentatively scheduled to be a home showdown with the Dodgers this weekend.

Flexen (2-7) got the loss Tuesday after he pitched 6.2 innings, surrendering two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two versus the Astros.

Flexen tossed three scoreless innings to open the contest before the Astros got to him for two runs in the bottom of the fourth, accounting for all the damage against him in the outing. He has held his own against the Astros this season, surrendering a total of seven runs over 24.2 frames in four starts against the club this year, good for a 2.55 ERA in those outings. Flexen has now allowed six runs over 18.2 frames in his last three starts after giving up five runs over four innings against the Red Sox on May 21, lowering his ERA from 4.98 to 4.35 over 11 outings this season. He tentatively lines up to pitch again Monday versus the Twins.

Marquez (2-5) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in six innings, earning the win Tuesday versus the Giants.

Marquez submitted his first quality start in his last four outings with this effort. All three runs he allowed came in the first inning -- Wilmer Flores tagged him for a two-run home run and Luis Gonzalez added an RBI single. Marquez's struggles have largely been at home, and Tuesday's start was just his fourth away from Coors Field this season. He has a 6.49 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 53:22 K:BB through 61 innings. He tentatively lines up for another road start in San Diego this weekend.

Darvish (5-3) hit three batters and allowed two hits while striking out six over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mets on Tuesday.

All three hit batters came in the first two innings, and Darvish carried a no-hitter into the sixth before allowing a single to Mark Canha. This was the fourth time in his last six starts Darvish has gone at least seven innings, though this was arguably his best outing of the season despite the early lack of control. The right-hander now owns a 3.61 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 54:15 K:BB in 67.1 innings across 11 starts this season. He'll look to keep going strong in Chicago versus the Cubs next week.

Walker (3-2) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.

The Mets recorded only five baserunners (two hits, three hit batters), giving Walker virtually no help in the contest. It's the second start in a row the right-hander has received insufficient support, though his four runs allowed were also the most he's given up since May 5. He's generally pitched well with a 3.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25:15 K:BB across 46.2 innings in nine starts this year. Walker will look to get back on track in a tough home matchup versus the Brewers next week.