MLB Player News

Valdez (3-2) allowed one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out seven to earn the win Thursday against the Rangers.

Valdez surrendered his lone earned run in the first inning. From there, he allowed only three runners to reach scoring position while turning in his fifth consecutive quality start. While Valdez has only 39 strikeouts across 47 innings this season, he has maintained a 65.7 percent groundball rate. The end result has been a 2.68 ERA.

Velasquez allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings Thursday against Kansas City. He did not factor into the decision.

Velasquez allowed at least one earned run in each of his first three innings, including a two-run home run to Hunter Dozier. He's been crushed for combined 11 earned runs across his last two starts -- spanning 10 innings. For the season, Velasquez has a 5.79 ERA with a 28:13 K:BB across 32.2 frames.

Gallen (3-0) allowed one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Cubs.

Gallen opened the game by retiring eight of the first nine hitters he faced. He ran into trouble from there but managed to induce a groundout to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. Though he didn't look his sharpest Thursday, Gallen has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all seven of his starts this season. As a result, he owns a 1.14 ERA with 39:8 K:BB across 39.1 innings.

Stroman (1-4) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and no walks while striking out six across five innings to take the loss Thursday against Arizona.

Stroman was activated from the COVID-19 injured list prior to his start, and he took the mound for the first time since May 1. He began the outing with a perfect three innings but coughed up three runs in the fourth. After allowing 13 earned runs across his first 13.1 innings of the campaign, Stroman has surrendered only four earned runs across his last 18 frames. Overall, he has a 4.88 ERA with a 28:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Kirby (0-1) allowed five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings to take the loss Thursday against the Red Sox.

Kirby was primarily undone by a pair of home runs hit by Trevor Story, which accounted for four of his earned runs. However, Kirby allowed two additional extra-base hits and induced only six swinging strikes across 71 total pitches. It was the second consecutive disappointing start for Kirby, though he faced two dangerous offenses in the Mets and Red Sox. He now owns a 3.60 ERA and 11:2 K:BB across his first 15 big-league innings.

Houck (3-3) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out six across four scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Mariners.

Houck entered the game in the third inning after a short outing from Rich Hill. Having allowed 11 earned runs across his last eight frames entering Thursday, Houck turned in one of his better performances of the season by inducing nine swinging strikes across 58 pitches. After the game, Houck discussed utilizing a new slider grip, per Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican, which could help him earn better results moving forward. Houck owns a 4.70 ERA with a 29:13 K:BB across 30.2 innings on the campaign.

Hill allowed four earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two and walking one across two innings Thursday against Seattle. He did not factor into the decision.

Hill began his outing with little incident, though he surrendered a three-run home run in the second inning to sour his day. He was pulled after 56 pitches, and it was the first time this season he failed to cover at least four frames. The outing inflated Hill's ERA to 3.90 on the campaign, and he has also maintained a 23:8 K:BB across 30 frames.

Baz (elbow) allowed one hit and one run while striking out five and walking none across 2.1 innings Thursday during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham.

Baz made his first rehab appearance since undergoing elbow surgery March 21. He allowed a leadoff home run to Lewin Diaz in the second inning but racked up plenty of swings and misses otherwise. Baz threw only 24 pitches and is not eligible to return from the injured list until early June, so he will likely make a few more rehab outings with Durham.

Bassitt didn't factor into the decision after allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk across 6.1 innings during Thursday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals. He struck out three.

Bassitt allowed solo shots to Juan Yepez and Paul Goldschmidt in the second and third innings respectively and was ultimately chased in the seventh after allowing two one-out baserunners. It wasn't the worst outing of the season for the right-hander, but his three strikeouts were a season low. Regardless, he still sports a 2.77 ERA with a 49:13 K:BB through his first eight starts (48.2 innings). His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's matchup in San Francisco.

Flaherty (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Flaherty has been sidelined since the start of the regular season due to a right shoulder injury, but he began throwing bullpen sessions early this month. Since the right-hander will likely require a rehab assignment before rejoining the major-league club, his shift to the 60-day injured list shouldn't impact his return timetable. Matthew Liberatore is slated to have his contract selected to make his major-league debut as the starter for Saturday's game against the Pirates.