MLB Player News

Overton is listed as the Reds' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Pirates in Cincinnati, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Nick Lodolo (back) initially looked like a candidate to return from the 10-day injured list to take the hill Friday, but the Reds could choose to save him for Saturday's doubleheader with Pittsburgh or push him back to next week if he needs more time to recover from his injury. In any case, Overton will make at least one more turn through the rotation after he delivered a credible performance in his season debut for the Reds over the weekend in Colorado. He worked 5.1 innings and took a no-decision on Coors Field, striking out three while limiting the Rockies to one run on three hits and two walks.

Double-A Akron placed Espino (knee) on its 7-day injured list Wednesday.

Espino has been managing patellar tendinitis in his right knee since exiting his fourth start of the season Friday, so he'll be given at least a week off to recover from the injury. One of the top arms in the Guardians' farm system, Espino has submitted a 2.45 ERA and 0.72 WHIP while striking out 35 over 18.1 innings this season.

Rodon (3-1) took the loss during Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings.

Rodon pitched well despite the loss Tuesday, surrendering both runs on a Chris Taylor single in the second inning and recording his third quality start in five turns. The two earned runs mark a season high while the five total baserunners match another, as Rodon has now permitted two walks in every start as well as three hits in all but one. The biggest difference Tuesday was the decline to three strikeouts from an average of 9.5 through his first four turns. Rodon lines up to make another start this weekend against St. Louis.

Urias (2-1) earned the win during Tuesday's 3-1 victory over San Francisco, allowing four hits with four strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

Urias breezed through six innings Tuesday, firing 52 of 65 pitches for strikes and scattering four hits across four different innings to avoid any real threats. Urias has been scorching since a dud in Colorado to open the season with only two runs surrendered in four starts and 22 innings, though Los Angeles' commitment to limiting the 25-year-old's workload caps his upside. He's tentatively scheduled to pitch again Monday in Pittsburgh.

Blackburn didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's 10-7 loss to Tampa Bay, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Blackburn was staked to an early 5-1 lead but couldn't make it through the fifth inning and Oakland ended up blowing the sizable lead anyway. This was the 28-year-old's worst start in five turns, as he permitted highs in runs and baserunners in what was his shortest outing to date. He carries a 2.22 ERA and 0.95 WHIP into his next start, slated to come next week against Detroit.

Woodruff (3-1) picked up the win over the Reds on Tuesday, allowing three runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out 12 and did not issue a walk.

Outside of a two-batter stretch when he allowed back-to-back homers to Tommy Pham and Mike Moustakas, Woodruff was utterly dominant. He had 19 called strikes and 18 swinging strikes on 95 pitches. Afterward, Woodruff told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that he's been "working extremely hard to get back to myself" after a disappointing start to the season; even after Tuesday's gem, Woodruff still has a 5.18 ERA. This performance was a big step in the right direction.

Mahle (1-4) took the loss to the Brewers on Tuesday. He was charged with five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Willy Adames' three-run homer in the third inning accounted for most of the damage against Mahle, though the right-hander was inefficient throughout, needing 92 pitches to record his 10 outs. The Reds are now a disastrous 3-20 on the season and Mahle is pitching uninspired ball. He's taken the loss in four consecutive outings, and if he can't get on track soon, Mahle could end up on the waiver wire in a lot of fantasy leagues.

Flexen (1-4) got the loss during Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Astros, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts in five innings.

Flexen pitched well except for one mistake -- a fastball in the fourth inning that Yordan Alvarez took over the center-field fence -- and was saddled with the loss as Seattle was held scoreless for the second straight game. The 27-year-old has lost four of his five starts this season despite a solid 3.10 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He'll go for another win later this week, as he's tentatively tabbed to start Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Keller (1-2) picked up the victory, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out two in 6.1 scoreless innings in a 7-1 win Tuesday over St. Louis.

Keller allowed only two baserunners in an inning once en route to his first win of the season. The 27-year-old has pitched six or more innings while allowing two or fewer runs in four of his five starts. He is tied for fourth with 31 innings, compiling a 1.74 ERA and 0.84 WHIP over those frames. However, with only 5.5 strikeouts per nine innings, there is reason to believe that he will experience some regression as he works more innings. His next start will likely be early next week in Texas.

Ryan tossed 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three in the win over the Orioles on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

The 25-year-old allowed a season-high seven baserunners in this one, ultimately giving up two earned runs. Ryan surrendered his first run in the bottom of the fourth inning after Tyler Nevin reached on a fielding error, scoring Austin Hays from third base in the process. He allowed another run the next inning when Trey Mancini singled, bringing Cedric Mullins across to tie the contest a 2-2. The runs were his first surrendered since April 15, and due to the fact that Ryan failed to finish the fifth inning, he did not qualify for the victory after the Twins took the lead the in the top of the sixth frame. The right-hander now sports a 1.63 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 28 punchouts over 27.2 innings this season.