MLB Player News

Kirby (7-8) took the loss Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on eight hits across six innings. He struck out seven.

It was another strong outing from Kirby, who's now held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last three outings, though he ultimately came away with the loss as Seattle failed to generate any runs in a 3-0 defeat. Kirby's turned in five straight quality starts, allowing 11 earned runs across 32 innings during that span. The right-hander will head into the All-Star break with a 3.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 98:24 K:BB across 18 starts (110 innings) this year.

Holmes did not factor into the decision Wednesday against Pittsburgh, allowing three hits and a walk across five scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Since returning to Atlanta's rotation, Holmes has given up just one earned run on eight hits across 10 frames in two starts. He's given up just two runs in his last four appearances (18.2 innings) overall. Holmes' ERA now sits at 3.61 on the season with a 1.32 WHIP and 76:39 K:BB across 87.1 innings.

Jones did not factor into the decision Wednesday against Atlanta, logging eight strikeouts across six perfect innings.

While the Pirates failed to provide Jones with any run support in an eventual 3-0 defeat, the right-hander's dominant performance certainly offered a silver lining. Jones struck out eight of the 18 batters he faced, ultimately needing 77 pitches to get through six perfect innings. The 24-year-old Jones has now allowed just five earned runs across 17.2 innings in his last four starts as he continues to work his way back from UCL surgery that sidelined him for all of 2025. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.37 with a 1.14 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB through his first eight starts (35 innings) this season.

Webb (5-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up five runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings as the Giants got routed 10-0 by the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

All five runs crossed the plate in the first inning, most of them on a Kazuma Okamoto grand slam, but Webb shook it off and gave his team six scoreless frames after that. The veteran right-hander exited after 106 pitches (72 strikes) and has now given up 12 runs across his last two starts after posting a 0.85 ERA over his six prior outings. Webb will head into the All-Star break with a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 80:26 K:BB through 100.1 innings.

Cease (6-4) picked up the win Wednesday in a 10-0 rout of the Giants, scattering one hit and three walks over eight scoreless innings. He struck out 11.

The right-hander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, but Heliot Ramos broke it up with a leadoff single, ending Cease's afternoon at 118 pitches (81 strikes). It was his sixth start of the season with double-digit strikeouts, and Cease heads into the All-Star break with a 2.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an American League-leading 148 strikeouts in just 98.1 innings. He's on the short list to get the start for the AL in the All-Star Game.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Wednesday that Bello could be called up from Triple-A Worcester and to pitch Saturday against the Yankees if Ranger Suarez (adductor) is unable to start, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

Suarez was pulled early in his most recent start Sunday against the Angels due to adductor tightness. The Red Sox are hopeful that the left-hander can avoid a stint on the injured list and make a start during the upcoming weekend, but Boston may have to turn to Bello to fill in either as a conventional starter or in a bulk-relief role if Suarez is unable to pitch. Since being optioned to Worcester on June 5, Bello has submitted a 4.34 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 18.2 frames over four starts.

Medical imaging revealed an injury to Woodruff's right anterior shoulder capsule Wednesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff landed on the injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation -- an issue that has already caused the veteran righty to miss more than a month of action this year. However, his latest diagnosis is being described as a new injury, so there's no telling how long he may be on the shelf for. He's set to receive a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister -- the surgeon who performed Woodruff's 2023 shoulder surgery -- that will aid in determining his return timeline.

Steele (elbow) was cleared to begin ramping up his throwing program Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele began a throwing program in late June, and although he's started to increase the intensity of his throwing sessions, the Cubs will hold off on having him throw off a mound until the first week of August. The left-hander won't have enough time to build up and be available as a starter this year, but returning as a reliever late in the season isn't out of the question.

Ober (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game versus the Guardians, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ober has made two rehab starts, allowing a total of seven runs with a 6:0 K:BB over 8.1 innings. The big right-hander went five frames and tossed 76 pitches in his final rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, so he should be prepared for close to a regular workload against Cleveland. Ober has been on the shelf since late May while nursing a right flexor strain.

The Cardinals selected Gastelum's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Gastelum netted his first major-league promotion after logging a 2.27 ERA and 49:17 K:BB over 43.2 innings with Memphis. The righty was unscored upon in his last 18 appearances, authoring a 30:5 K:BB across 22.1 frames during that span.