MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) is expected to start in a game at the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Rodriguez is coming off a 55-pitch simulated game last Saturday and will get a chance to build upon that Friday in the ACL. The left-hander could rejoin the Diamondbacks rotation in time for next week's road series in Atlanta, although the team has not confirmed if additional starts (if any) may be required. That will likely be determined following Friday's outing.

Burnes will make his next start Sunday in the series final against Washington, per MLB.com.

Ryne Nelson had been expected to start Sunday, but he and Burnes will switch. This means Burnes will pitch on normal rest, while Nelson gets two extra days of recovery after throwing a season-high 84 pitches in Monday's win over the Pirates.

Kirby (0-2) took the loss against Washington on Wednesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kirby was hit hard in the outing -- four of the Nationals' seven hits against him went for extra bases, and three of those left the yard. The right-hander did go a little deeper with five innings after completing just 3.2 frames against Houston in his season debut May 22, but he's struggled in both outings and has now given up 11 runs through 8.2 innings this season. It's understandable that Kirby has some rust after missing nearly the first two months of the season with a shoulder injury, but his return to action has been frustrating for fantasy managers who held onto the hurler throughout his time on the IL. Kirby at least has a promising matchup lined up for him next, as he's tentatively scheduled to face the Orioles, who have scored the seventh-fewest runs in MLB so far this season.

Williams (3-5) earned the win over Seattle on Wednesday, tossing six scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and struck out two batters without issuing any walks.

Williams was masterful despite notching only five whiffs and two punchouts, as he allowed just three baserunners, two of which reached in the third inning. The right-hander probably could have gone deeper -- he tossed a mere 77 pitches (54 strikes) -- but manager Dave Martinez chose to go to the bullpen after six innings with the Nationals comfortably ahead by six runs. This was the first quality start of the season for Williams, who has had a rough campaign with a 5.69 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 55.1 frames.

Kikuchi (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kikuchi struggled with his control throughout the outing, throwing just 51 of 93 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with five free passes -- though two of the walks were intentional (both to Aaron Judge). Still, the veteran hurler was able to mostly avoid damage, as he surrendered just a first-inning run. Kikuchi finished his outing on a high note by retiring the final eight batters he faced, but the Angels were unable to provide him with any run support, resulting in his fifth loss of the season. Despite a 1-5 record, Kikuchi has been solid as the ace of the Angels' staff, allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his past six starts and registering a 3.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 64.2 innings on the campaign.

Schmidt (2-2) earned the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out four batters over six scoreless innings.

Schmidt gave up just one extra-base hit (a double) in the outing and racked up 13 whiffs while throwing 69 of 99 pitches for strikes. It was the first time this season that he ended a start without giving up any runs, and the right-hander recorded his fourth quality start across his past five appearances. Schmidt has just two victories through eight outings, but he's pitched decently well with a 3.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB through 43.1 innings.

Gordon (1-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 4.2 innings.

Gordon fell behind quickly by allowing a run in the first inning, but Chicago was able to put just one additional run on the board (on a Pete Crow-Armstrong solo homer in the fourth frame). While Gordon notched just six whiffs and a single strikeout, he was effective in getting the ball over the plate, throwing a first-pitch strike to 14 of the 19 batters he faced and firing 56 strikes overall on 79 pitches. The right-hander gave up four earned runs over 6.1 frames against Detroit in his season debut May 8, but he's been steadier since then, allowing just four runs over 10.2 innings across his subsequent two starts against a pair of powerhouse offenses in the Yankees and Cubs. Ryan Feltner (back) is nearing a return from the IL, which could impact Gordon's spot in the rotation, but for the time being the latter is lined up for a road matchup against Miami next week.

Boyd (5-2) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on four hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings.

Boyd recorded his shortest -- and arguably worst -- outing of the season in his previous trip to the mound, giving up four runs over four innings against Cincinnati last Friday. The southpaw bounced back with perhaps his finest start of the campaign Wednesday, as he limited the Rockies to an unearned run while racking up 13 whiffs and tying a season high with eight punchouts. Boyd also tied a season high by completing exactly six innings, which he's done in seven of his 11 starts this season. The 34-year-old hurler is already more than halfway to his career-best win total (nine), and he's gotten there with a strong overall line that includes a 3.08 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 64:15 K:BB through 61.1. frames.

Oviedo (lat) is throwing side sessions without any discomfort, MLB.com reports.

Oviedo has been throwing for roughly five weeks and is set to progress to live batting practice within the next week to 10 days. While he's most of the way through his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander will require a lengthy rehab assignment that will likely keep him out until some point in July.

Mahle didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays after allowing four hits and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Mahle's exceptional start to the season continues, as he's now hurled at least six innings while surrendering one run or fewer on seven occasions. While the veteran right-hander has fanned more than five batters just two times this year, he's given up greater than two runs in only one start. Mahle will carry an excellent 1.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 66 innings (12 starts) into a soft matchup slated for next week against the Rays, who have a .661 OPS over their last 30 games.