MLB Player News

Skenes (4-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings as the Pirates were downed 4-2 by the Brewers. He struck out four.

Matched up for the first time against Milwaukee phenom Jacob Misiorowski, Skenes was the first young ace to flinch, putting the first three batters on base in the second inning en route to a four-run frame for the Brewers. While Skenes didn't take any further damage, he was lifted after 78 pitches (50 strikes) with the Bucs having once again failed to provide him with any offensive support -- they didn't get on the board until the seventh inning. It's the first time since May 1 that the 23-year-old right-hander has been tagged for more than two runs, and Skenes will take a 2.12 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 110:29 K:BB through 106 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Burke (4-7) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings during a 7-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander tied his season high with seven strikeouts, a mark he set last Thursday against the Cardinals. Burke has given up two earned runs or fewer in eight of 10 starts since the beginning of May, posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB over 54 innings during that span. He'll try to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to be a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next week.

Gallen (5-9) took the loss Wednesday as the Diamondbacks fell 7-3 to the White Sox, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

Homers by Andrew Benintendi in the first inning and Lenyn Sosa in the fourth accounted for most of the damage off Gallen. The right-hander has served up nine long balls in his last five starts and been tagged for at least four earned runs in eight of his last nine trips to the mound, a brutal stretch in which he's posted a 6.97 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB in 51.2 innings. Gallen will try to right the ship in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Giants.

McCullers (foot) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander landed on the shelf June 16 due to a right foot sprain, and he was kept off the mound for only about a week. Assuming McCullers can continue ramping up his throwing program back up with no issues, he may not be looking at an extended absence.

Gore (3-8) took the loss Wednesday against the Padres, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Gore was sharp, holding San Diego to a lone second-inning run, though the Nats couldn't generate any support against Nick Pivetta in an eventual 1-0 defeat. It's the third straight loss for Gore, who's failed to strike out more than six batters in any of his last four outings. His ERA stands at 3.09 through 17 starts (99 innings) this season with a 1.20 WHIP, and his 129 strikeouts are still good for the second most in the majors. Gore is currently scheduled to face the Tigers at home in his next outing.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Philadelphia, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out three over seven scoreless innings.

Valdez delivered his first scoreless outing since April 8, blanking the Phillies despite struggling with his control. The 31-year-old lefty has now walked at least four batters and struck out three in two consecutive starts. In his last four starts, Valdez has a 2.16 ERA and a 29:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Cubs on Sunday in his next turn through the rotation.

Pivetta (8-2) struck out 10 and earned the win Wednesday over the Nationals, allowing just three hits and no walks over seven scoreless innings.

It was quite a bounce-back performance from Pivetta after he was tagged for four runs in just 4.2 innings against Kansas City in his last outing. The right-hander matched a season high with 10 strikeouts while delivering at least seven scoreless innings for the fourth time this year. Pivetta lowered his ERA to 3.36 on the season with a 1.03 WHIP and 101:24 K:BB across 16 starts (91 innings). He's currently lined up for a tough road matchup with the Phillies in his next outing.

Zobac (knee) has given up seven earned runs on 13 hits and no walks while striking out eight over 6.2 innings in his two starts for Double-A Northwest Arkansas since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list June 13.

Zobac was on Northwest Arkansas' IL for nearly two months before he slotted back into the rotation a couple weeks ago after he wrapped up a three-start rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Over four outings at Double-A this season, Zobac owns a 9.42 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in 14.1 innings, but his 19:5 K:BB suggests that he's pitched better than his ERA would indicate.

Greene (groin/back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session when the Reds are in Boston early next week, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

The right-hander is working his way back from a groin strain and back soreness, and he's recently been receiving treatment and going through rehab work at the team's facility in Arizona. Greene has been sidelined just over three weeks, so it'll likely take some time for him to build his throwing program back up. With that in mind, he seems likely to be out at least through the All-Star break, which ends July 18.

The Cardinals optioned McGreevy to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

McGreevy struggled in a spot start in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Cubs, giving up five runs on seven hits and one walk in 4.2 innings. He will rejoin the Memphis rotation but should be the first pitcher to be called upon the next time the Cardinals require another starter.