MLB Player News

Early (elbow) will seek a second opinion, MLB.com reports.

Early underwent an MRI earlier this week, which revealed posterior elbow inflammation, but the left-hander wants to confirm that. The Red Sox placed him on the 15-day injured list after he exited a start against the Nationals after tossing four scoreless innings.

Detmers (3-6) was charged with the loss Friday against the Red Sox after allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks across five innings, striking out five.

Detmers has struck out at least five in back-to-back games for the first time since doing so in six consecutive starts between May 13 and June 10, but there isn't much more to highlight from this outing. He's now given up at least five runs in two of his last three starts, and the 26-year-old southpaw has been trending in the wrong direction of late. Still, Detmers owns a 3.19 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in six starts since the beginning of June, and he'll aim to bounce back when he takes the ball in his next start against the Rangers on the road.

Bennett (3-3) earned the win against the Angels on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six over 7.2 innings. He also tossed a wild pitch but did not walk a batter.

This was Bennett's longest outing of the season, and he came just four outs shy of tossing a complete game, though by the time he left the mound, he was already at 92 pitches (61 strikes). Bennett has been pitching very well of late, and this was his fourth consecutive outing allowing two earned runs or fewer. He owns a 1.78 ERA and 0.67 WHIP across 25.1 innings over that stretch, and he's slated to make his next start on the road against the White Sox.

Palmquist will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in front of Zack Littell during Saturday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Palmquist, who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester earlier this week, most recently logged an inning of relief in Boston on Wednesday. He'll likely be capped at an inning or two once again Saturday before giving way to Littell.

Littell will work in bulk relief during Saturday's game against the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Carson Palmquist will open the game for the Nationals but is likely to cover an inning or two before Littell takes over. Littell has notched a 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 23.2 innings following an opener this season and a 6.07 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 56.1 innings as a traditional starter.

Cole (3-3) picked up the win in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Twins, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander had to cool his heels during a 53-minute rain delay in the middle of the third inning, but Cole returned to the mound and stayed in for two more frames to make sure he qualified for the win, finally getting lifted after 88 pitches (63 strikes). Cole did serve up another homer, a solo shot to Kody Clemens in the first inning, but Cole's seven strikeouts represent his highest total since he fanned 10 back on May 27, his second outing of the season. Through eight starts since his belated 2026 debut, Cole has a 4.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB over 42.2 innings. He's set to make his next start on the road next week in Tampa Bay.

Paredes (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over four innings as the Twins fell 5-2 to the Yankees. He struck out two.

The right-hander's outing was split into two two-inning chunks thanks to a 53-minute rain delay, and Paredes was lifted after 81 pitches (49 strikes) having served up homers to Trent Grisham in the first inning and Ben Rice in the third to account for all the damage against him. Paredes has been taken deep five times in five starts and 22 innings since moving into the rotation while posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, but he could be bumped to the bullpen or back to Triple-A St. Paul before getting another turn with Bailey Ober (elbow) currently finishing up a rehab assignment.

Griffin (9-2) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk in five innings during a 9-5 victory over the Pirates. He struck out two.

A Bryan Reynolds solo shot in the third inning was the only blemish on Griffin's line, and the 30-year-old southpaw got lifted after 83 pitches (57 strikes) with the Nationals holding a comfortable 5-1 lead. Griffin hasn't lost a decision since May 14, going 5-0 over his last nine starts with a stellar 2.24 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 51:8 K:BB through 52.1 innings. He'll look to wrap up the first half in style in a home start against the Astros next week.

Keller (6-6) took the loss Friday, giving up five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- over six innings as the Pirates were downed 9-5 by the Nationals. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Washington launched five homers in total off Pittsburgh pitching, with Keller taking the brunt of the damage. It's the first time since last August the veteran right-hander has served up three long balls in a game, and that outing came at Coors Field. Over six starts since the beginning of June, Keller has stumbled to a 6.47 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB over 32 innings while getting taken deep eight times, after he allowed just four homers in his first 12 starts of 2026. He'll try to get back on track in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against Atlanta.

Cabrera allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Friday.

Cabrera landed just 33 of 63 pitches for strikes in his shortest start yet. Through 13.1 innings over three starts, he has a 4.73 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB. The 24-year-old continues to fill in for a depleted rotation, and he'll likely get one more start before the All-Star break. That's expected to be on the road versus the Padres, but Cabrera will likely need a good performance to make a case to stay in the rotation once Michael Soroka (glute) is ready to return.