MLB Player News

Gray (6-4) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings against the Reds.

Facing the team that originally drafted him in 2018, Gray turned in arguably his best start of the season so far. He had a recent blowup against another former team -- the Dodgers -- but the 24-year-old right-hander has responded well with two earned runs allowed and 12 strikeouts in his last two starts (11 innings). Gray should be considered a volatile option given the walks and homers. While he can flash brilliance, Gray is still inconsistent.

Kikuchi (2-2) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays got thumped 9-3 by the Twins, giving up four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The two teams combined for seven homers in total, and Kikuchi's slight lack of command within the strike zone proved costly. It was a big step back for the southpaw, who served up only one home run in 26.2 innings over the entire month of May. Kikuchi still tossed 48 of 67 pitches for strikes in this outing, and he'll take a 3.91 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 50:24 K:BB through 46 innings into his next start on the road versus the Royals next week.

Brubaker (0-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs (five earned) on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over four-plus innings as the Pirates were downed 8-6 by the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

The right-hander got the hook after allowing four straight hits to begin the fifth inning, with three of those runners coming around to score. Brubaker hadn't allowed an earned run in either of his prior two starts, but his brief hot streak ended quickly and painfully. He'll carry a 4.70 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB through 51.2 innings into his next outing at home versus the Tigers next week.

Miley (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Sunday's throwing session will mark the second time Miley has thrown off a mound since landing on the injured list May 29, signaling that his shoulder strain doesn't seem to be a long-term concern. The southpaw apparently felt good following Thursday's bullpen session, and he'll likely progress to facing live hitters at next week as long as Sunday's bullpen goes smoothly.

Bubic was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to start Saturday's game against the Astros.

Bubic hasn't fared particularly well in the majors this year, as he's posted a 12.83 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 13.1 innings over six appearances (five starts). He settled for a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 innings over his last three starts in the minors, but he'll get another shot as a starter with the big-league club since Zack Greinke (elbow) is sidelined until mid-June.

Eflin (2-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing five hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings in a 10-0 rout of the Angels. He struck out six.

It was the best performance of the season for the right-hander, who fired 69 of 104 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth quality start of the season. Eflin will take a 3.88 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 51 innings into his next outing, currently projected to be a road start in Milwaukee next week.

Stroman (2-5) allowed nine runs on 10 hits across four innings to take the loss Friday against the Cardinals. He walked one and struck out seven.

Outside of the seven strikeouts, this was a disaster for Stroman, who saw his ERA rise to 5.32. It's the second time this year the righty has allowed at least seven earned runs in a start and the third time he's allowed at least five, though he has allowed two runs or fewer in his other six appearances, so there have been some positive signs. The Cubs were certainly expecting more consistent results, however, when they signed Stroman to a three-year, $71 million deal in the offseason. He'll look to turn things around in his next scheduled start, a tough matchup against the Yankees on the road next week.

Woodford was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to serve as the 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Woodford has made eight relief appearances for the Cardinals this year, and he's posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 16 innings. He was in the mix to start one of the two games during Saturday's twin bill but will be available out of the bullpen since Johan Oviedo is starting the matinee while Andre Pallante takes the mound in the second game.

Oviedo is starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Oviedo was called up by St. Louis on Friday, and he'll make his first major-league appearance of the 2022 season during Saturday's matinee. The right-hander made 14 appearances (13 starts) for the Cardinals last year and posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 62.1 innings.

Bassitt (4-3) took the loss during Friday's 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings.

Bassitt made two mistakes in serving up homers to Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry to fall behind early, and New York was never able to recover. Despite the loss, the 32-year-old came away with some positives by firing a season-high 110 pitches and matching a season best with eight strikeouts. Bassitt will carry a 3.74 ERA and 1.17 WHIP into his next start, scheduled for midweek against San Diego.