MLB Player News

Watkins (0-1) took the loss against St. Louis on Wednesday, completing 3.2 innings and allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three.

The right-hander pitched a clean first inning before the Cardinals got to him for three runs in the second. Watkins was fine in the third frame, but he allowed four straight batters to reach base with two outs in the fourth before being mercifully pulled. All told, the 29-year-old gave up a season-high eight hits and seven runs, pushing his ERA from a respectable 3.22 to 5.19 on the campaign. Things are unlikely to get easier for Watkins, as he's tentatively slated to face the Yankees in his next start.

Mikolas (3-1) earned the win over Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three over seven innings.

St. Louis built a seven-run lead by the end of the fourth inning, allowing Mikolas to get into cruise control and pitch with little stress. The right-hander completed seven innings for the third time in his past four starts and yielded only one run for his second straight outing. Mikolas hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his seven appearances this season, leading to a sparkling 1.49 ERA through 42.1 frames. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is expected to come on the road against the Mets early next week.

Wentz (0-1) was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Wednesday's 9-0 defeat versus the A's, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports. He took the loss after giving up six runs on seven hits with two walks and one strikeout over 2.2 innings.

The 24-year-old was called up for his big-league debut Wednesday but laid an egg against Oakland, as he retired only eight of the 16 batters he faced. Wentz will return to Toledo, where he has a 4.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 19.2 innings this season.

Falter allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings Wednesday against the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision.

Falter drew what is likely to be a spot start with Zack Wheeler (undisclosed) and Zach Eflin (illness) currently on COVID-19 injured list. Falter was allowed to throw only 65 pitches, but he proved effective by inducing nine swinging strikes while also walking none and allowing no home runs. Wheeler is set to start Thursday against the Dodgers and the Phillies have a day off Monday, meaning Philadelphia could opt for a four-man rotation even if Eflin remains on the injured list for a few more days. Consequently, Falter's most likely role moving forward will either be to pitch out of the big-league bullpen or as a starter with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Gilbert (4-1) allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out nine across five innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Phillies.

Gilbert had little trouble getting through the first three innings, as he allowed only two baserunners and struck out five. However, he allowed a grand slam to Rhys Hoskins in the fourth, souring his outing. However, Gilbert induced 14 swinging strikes on 95 total pitches to punch out a season-best nine batters. Gilbert has allowed seven earned runs across his last 10 innings, but he still has a 2.13 ERA with 42:14 K:BB across 38 frames on the season.

Gutierrez didn't factor in the decision during Wednesday's 14-11 win over the Brewers after giving up four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He had six strikeouts and two walks.

The 26-year-old was staked to a 7-0 lead of the first two innings but was unable to last the necessary five frames in order to qualify for his first win of the year. The no-decision was still progress for Gutierrez, as he took the loss in each of his previous five starts. The right-hander has an 8.65 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 19:15 K:BB across 26 innings and lines up to pitch during the two-game set in Cleveland next week.

Houser (3-3) was charged with the loss Wednesday against the Reds after allowing seven runs (three earned) on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts across four innings.

Houser was hurt by an error during the opening frame which resulted in four unearned runs coming across, and he also struggled in the second inning as Cincinnati struck for three more runs. The loss broke a string of three straight victories for the right-hander, and it was already the fourth time this season he's walked at least three batters in an outing. Houser has a 3.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 25:15 K:BB across 30.1 innings and lines up to pitch early next week versus Atlanta.

Pepiot allowed one hit and walked five while striking out three across three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.

Pepiot was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to the game to make his big-league debut. He struggled to consistently find the zone, as he hit a batter -- in addition to his five walks -- and only 40 of his 77 pitches went for strikes. That portion of his performance wasn't particularly surprising given that he has a 4.4 BB/9 across 68 innings with Oklahoma City, and there isn't a compelling reason to believe that his control problems will improve in the immediate future. Even so, with the Dodgers in line for a doubleheader Tuesday, Pepiot will likely get to take another turn through the rotation.

Cobb (2-1) earned the win Wednesday after tossing 5.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six against the Rockies.

Cobb held the Rockies scoreless over the first five frames, ultimately getting pulled with one out in the six inning and seeing one of the runners he left on base come around to score. The 34-year-old has put together two consecutive strong starts after only lasting two-thirds of an inning versus the Nationals on May 1, allowing just three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out 14 over 10.1 frames in those outings. In his first season with the Giants, Cobb owns a 3.98 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 28 punchouts in 20.1 innings over six starts.

Ober (groin) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old completed an 18-pitch session Saturday and returned to the mound Wednesday. Ober will likely need to build up his pitch count and face live batters before potentially embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment.