MLB Player News

Flexen did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings against Baltimore. He struck out three.

Flexen struggled out of the gate, allowing two doubles and a single while throwing a wild pitch that all resulted in two first-inning runs for the Orioles. Baltimore added another run in the third, but Flexen minimized the damage and escaped with his seventh quality start of the campaign. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's road matchup against the Astros.

Kluber (2-2) allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out four across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Rangers.

Kluber held the Rangers off the scoreboard until he surrendered a solo home run to Marcus Semien in the sixth inning. Though an eight-run outing against the Angels on May 10 bloats his overall line, Kluber has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts this season. He's particularly shown excellent control by surrendering only eight walks across 50.2 innings.

Ashcraft (2-0) earned the victory, striking out five in seven innings while allowing a run on four hits and a walk in an 8-1 win Thursday over Washington.

Ashcraft was a groundball machine Tuesday, getting 14 groundouts as he dominated the Nationals' lineup. Josh Bell's seventh-inning solo homer was the only blemish for the 24-year-old. He has stifled opposing lineups over his first three starts and has a 1.53 ERA to show for it. After striking out more than a batter an inning across three minor-league seasons, the rookie has fanned only nine batters in his first 17.2 major-league frames. His next start will likely come in the middle of next week against Arizona.

Alcantara (6-2) earned the win Thursday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings while allowing three hits and two walks in a 3-0 victory over San Francisco.

The Giants had runners on first and second base with one out in the first inning but Alcantara pitched out of the jam. He never again was under duress, as he dominated over his final six frames. During his last five starts, he has pitched seven innings or more and allowed one earned run or fewer each time, compiling a 0.69 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 40:6 K:BB in 39 innings. His next start will likely come in the middle of next week against Washington.

Wood (3-5) picked up the loss, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings of a 3-0 defeat Thursday in Miami.

Wood allowed a run-scoring single in the second and then retired 11 of the next 12 batters he faced. He was removed with one out in the sixth following a single by Jorge Soler, who would later score. Opposing batters are 14-for-29 against Wood the third time through the lineup and, as a result, the lefty is averaging less than five innings per start. His next opportunity will likely be in the middle of next week against Colorado.

Cortes (5-1) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven across seven scoreless innings to earn the win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Cortes limited the typically powerful Angels lineup to one extra-base hit, and he has now allowed one or fewer earned runs in seven of his 10 starts on the season. Perhaps even more impressive has been Cortes' consistent ability to work deep into games, as he has completed seven or more innings in four of his last five outings. Cortes now owns a 1.50 ERA with a 68: 14 K:BB across 60 frames on the campaign.

Manoah (6-1) earned the win Thursday, striking out five in 7.2 innings while allowing three runs on six hits and a walk in an 8-3 victory over the White Sox.

Manoah cruised through the first seven innings, allowing just three singles and a walk and needing only 83 pitches to complete the frames. After retiring the first batter of the eighth, three of the next four White Sox hit safely and Manoah was replaced. The former West Virginia Mountaineer continues to impress in his sophomore season and has not allowed more than three runs in any of his 10 starts while pitching six innings or more in nine of those appearances. His next start will likely come in the middle of next week in Kansas City.

Cueto (0-2) picked up the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out five in six innings of an 8-3 defeat Thursday in Toronto.

Five of the seven hits against Cueto went for extra bases, including a two-run shot by Teoscar Hernandez. The home run was the first he's allowed in his 24.2 innings this season. The veteran has gone six innings or more in each of his four starts. After not allowing a run in his first two outings, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) in his last two times on the mound. He lines up for a tough matchup with the Dodgers next week.

Faedo allowed two runs on five hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over the Twins. He walked two and struck out five.

Detroit trailed 2-1 before rallying in the eighth inning, so Faedo was unable to earn his second win of the season. However, the 26-year-old still pitched well, which he's done consistently since making his MLB debut in early May. Faedo has gone at least five innings in all six of his starts and has allowed two runs or fewer in each outing as well. He'll carry a solid 3.09 ERA into his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Pirates.

Kershaw (pelvis) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw has made steady progress of late, most recently throwing roughly 30 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday. According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, Kershaw is expected to throw four innings in his rehab appearance and then rejoin the Dodgers' rotation. That would put him in line to start at some point during next weekend's series against the Giants.