MLB Player News

The Pirates recalled Ashcraft from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ashcraft has started in all 10 outings in Triple-A this season, but the 25-year-old right-hander will serve in a bulk relief role out of the Pirates' bullpen, per Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Ashcraft has a 4.84 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB across 48.1 innings in Triple-A this season, and his first appearance with the Pirates will be his major-league debut. Isaac Mattson was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Morton (1-7) earned the win Monday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Not only did the veteran right-hander secure his first win, but he also collected his first quality start with this vintage 86-pitch performance. The lone blemish on Morton's outing was a 368-foot, two-run homer off the bat of Pedro Pages in the fifth inning. After pitching to a ghastly 9.38 ERA across his first 31.2 frames, Morton has been better of late, firing a 2.35 ERA and 17:4 K:BB over his last 15.1 innings. The 41-year-old receives a soft matchup for his next start, which currently lines up to be at home against the White Sox this weekend.

Fedde (3-4) took the loss in Monday's contest at Baltimore. He allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk over five innings with five strikeouts.

The St. Louis right-hander generated a solid 14 whiffs out of 91 total pitches to tally his third outing with five or more Ks this season over 11 total starts. The Orioles lineup did most of their damage when center fielder Dylan Carlson cracked a three-run homer off Fedde in the fourth. Across 62.1 total innings, Fedde has pitched to a 3.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39:26 K:BB. The 32-year-old is currently slated to make his next start at Texas this weekend.

Taillon (4-3) earned the win Monday against the Rockies, allowing one run on four hits and no walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

The Chicago right-hander took care of business against a Colorado lineup that entered the contest with a league-worst .220 team batting average. The only blemish on Taillon's performance was a solo homer yielded to Mickey Moniak in the fifth. Through 63 total innings, Taillon has pitched to a 3.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against Cincinnati at home this weekend.

Palmquist (0-3) took the loss in Monday's game against the Cubs. He conceded two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings with four strikeouts.

The rookie southpaw held his own in Wrigley Field during this 92-pitch outing, producing his best work yet after allowing 11 earned runs over his first two starts. Palmquist limited the Cubs to just one extra-base hit as the pair of runs scored via a Dansby Swanson groundout in the first and a Kyle Tucker single in the fifth. With this effort, Palmquist lowered his ERA from 11.88 to 8.78 across 13.1 total innings. Things won't get easier for the 24-year-old, as he lines up to make his next start at the Mets this weekend.

Manaea (oblique) will throw live batting practice Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manaea will face hitters for the first time since being placed on the 15-day injured list Feb. 24 due to a strained left oblique. The next step in his recovery will be a rehab assignment, though he may throw multiple live sessions before heading out. While he'll likely need several rehab appearances before being activated, Manaea is on track to make his 2025 MLB in early July.

Blackburn (knee) is expected to make one more rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse before making his season debut for the Mets the following Monday against the Dodgers, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old right-hander has been sharp over three starts for Syracuse, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 13.2 innings, but the Mets have delayed activating Blackburn from the IL until they had a need in the rotation. That need arrives this weekend, when the team plays 10 straight games without an off day beginning May 30. It's not clear if New York will stick with a six-man rotation after that stretch, or if Blackburn will then shift into a long relief role.

Manoah (elbow) has built up to 40 pitches during regular twice-a-week bullpen sessions as he recovers from elbow surgery, Mitch Bannon of the Athletic reports.

The Blue Jays haven't provided a timeline for the right-hander to begin a rehab assignment, but the team still appears to be targeting an early August return for Manoah after he underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure last June. In the meantime, the 27-year-old will continue with his throwing program and focus on keeping his mechanics in sync and regaining a feel for his pitches. Through five starts in 2024 before being shut down, Manoah posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB in 24.1 innings, and he could provide a late-season boost to a Blue Jays rotation that's struggled to find a reliable fifth starter this season.

The Brewers optioned Henderson to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Henderson has gotten off to a brilliant start to his MLB career, going 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 21 innings across his first four starts. However, he just pitched Sunday, and the Brewers have decided they are in immediate need of length in the bullpen heading into this week's series against the Red Sox. DL Hall (lat) was activated from the 60-day injured list to take Henderson's spot on the active roster.

Bieber (elbow) will make his first rehab start Saturday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, SI.com reports.

Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery April 12, 2024, has been throwing to hitters in Arizona since the start of May and is now ready to begin his rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander will need a lengthy ramp-up period, and it's possible his rehab will move up to a full-season affiliate after Saturday's outing.