MLB Player News

Adon (1-4) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over four-plus innings in a 9-3 loss to the Giants. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander continues to struggle. Adon has been tagged for at least four runs in four of his five starts this season, leading to a 7.33 ERA and 1.67 WHIP that seems entirely deserved given his 18.9 percent strikeout rate and 11.7 percent walk rate. The only thing keeping Adon in the rotation right now might be the Nationals' lack of viable alternatives.

Dunning (1-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Saturday, tossing 7.2 innings and allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out seven.

This was easily Dunning's finest outing of the season, as he notched a season-high 7.2 frames while allowing the fewest hits (three) and runs (one) of any of his five starts. The right-hander induced 14 swinging strikes and tied his season high with seven punchouts en route to his first victory of the campaign. Dunning has been fairly effective overall this season, as he hasn't given up more than three runs in any appearance and has posted a respectable 3.81 ERA and 26:8 K:BB across 26 frames. He's lined up to make his next start in New York against the Yankees on Friday.

Watkins allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 4.2 innings against Boston on Saturday. He did not factor in the decision.

Watkins wasn't dominant against the Red Sox, as he fanned only three batters and allowed at least one baserunner in four of the five innings in which he pitched. However, the right-hander allowed only one extra-base hit -- to the first batter he faced in the contest -- and didn't yield any runs after the first frame. Watkins has yet to go deeper than five innings or throw more than 76 pitches in a start this season, and he has posted a mediocre 4.1 K/9, but he's been able to limit damage against him to the tune of a 2.55 ERA through 17.2 frames. He's lined up to face Minnesota at home Thursday for his next start.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

He'll return to the minors one day after he took his third loss in as many starts, this time falling to the Rangers. After limiting the Nationals to three earned runs over 5.2 innings en route to capturing the win in his MLB debut April 12, Elder has failed to get out of the fifth inning in each of his subsequent three turns. Over those outings, he's submitted a 4.73 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and most troublingly, an 8:14 K:BB in 13.1 innings. Atlanta will replace him in the rotation with Kyle Muller, who was called up from Triple-A to start Sunday's series finale in Texas.

Atlanta recalled Muller from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. He's scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Max Fried initially lined up to start the series finale in Texas, but he'll instead be saved for Monday's series opener against the division-leading Mets. Meanwhile, Muller will immediately jump into the rotation as a replacement for Bryce Elder, who was optioned to Gwinnett after being handed his third straight loss in Saturday's start against the Rangers. Muller, who submitted a 4.17 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB across 36.2 innings in nine appearances (eight starts) for Atlanta in 2021, was off to a hot start at Gwinnett prior to his call-up. In four starts for the affiliate, he amassed 28 strikeouts over 19.2 innings.

Eovaldi did not factor in the decision against Baltimore on Saturday despite tossing seven scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and no walks while striking out eight.

Eovaldi held the Orioles without a hit for 5.2 frames and left with a 1-0 lead after seven standout innings, but the Boston offense generated only one run and its bullpen couldn't hold the lead for the right-hander. Still, this was another impressive performance for Eovaldi, who racked up 16 swinging strikes and notched his second consecutive quality start. He'll carry a 2.51 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 32:3 K:BB into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home against the White Sox on Friday.

Brubaker tossed five innings against San Diego on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four. He did not factor in the decision.

Brubaker kept San Diego off the scoreboard for three innings, but an Eric Hosmer long ball in the fourth netted three runs for the Padres and gave them a brief lead. Pittsburgh was able to get the right-hander off the hook with a pair of runs in the fifth, however, and ultimately pulled the game out in 10 innings. This was just the second time Brubaker has completed five innings in a contest this season, and he has largely been a pitcher to avoid in fantasy with a 6.20 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over five starts. His next turn in the rotation is likely to come in Cincinnati next weekend.

Steele (1-3) took the loss at the hands of the Brewers on Saturday, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts in three innings.

Milwaukee jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, as Steele surrender four singles and Chicago committed two errors, and he never settled in. Steele was pulled before he could face the order a third time while throwing 48 of 74 pitches for strikes, and he has now made it to five innings just once in five starts. The 26-year-old lefty is tentatively projected to start next weekend against the Dodgers.

Lauer (2-0) got the win during Saturday's 9-1 victory over the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts in seven innings.

Coming off a 13-strikeout performance on Sunday Night Baseball, Lauer put up nearly as many whiffs Saturday and got the win this time. Milwaukee jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and the 26-year-old faltered just once when he served up a Yan Gomes solo shot in the second inning. Lauer is among the leaders in both ERA and strikeouts, and it would appear Milwaukee has uncovered another gem.

Walker registered a no-decision during Saturday's 4-1 loss to Philadelphia, allowing two hits and two walks with one strikeout in five scoreless innings.

Making his first start since April 11, Walker again held Philadelphia scoreless and stayed away from trouble aside from two baserunners in the third inning. He shouldered a near-regular workload as manager Buck Showalter let the 29-year-old go a solid 73 pitches before he turned it over to the bullpen. Through seven innings this season, Walker is yet to allow a run with an 0.57 WHIP and five strikeouts, with both starts coming against Philadelphia.