MLB Player News

Matthews is slated to start Saturday's game against the Royals at Target Field.

Matthews entered the rotation last weekend as a replacement for righty Simeon Woods Richardson, who was demoted to Triple-A St. Paul after a string of poor outings. In his 2025 debut with the big club Sunday in Milwaukee, Matthews took a loss while giving up four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over three innings. Though he likely doesn't have a long leash in the Minnesota rotation, Matthews will get at least one more chance to redeem himself in his home start Saturday versus a Kansas City offense that has performed at roughly a league-average level (100 team wRC+) in May. With another rough start, however, Matthews could be at risk of a demotion himself, as David Festa is healthy again at Triple-A following a brief bout with arm fatigue and would make for an appealing alternative in the big-league rotation.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo had Jose Herrera catch Gallen for Friday's series opener against St. Louis, after the pitcher had struggled in his previous outing, Joe Harris of MLB.com reports. The right-hander threw five strong innings before running into trouble in the sixth in a 4-3 loss.

It's been a rough start to the 2025 season for Gallen, whose 5.25 ERA is the highest its been since he became a full-season starter in the majors. However, when Herrera has caught him, Gallen's ERA is 3.56 compared to 6.89 when Gabriel Moreno is behind the dish. "We got a pretty good relationship," Gallen said. "I think he knows what I'm looking for out of the shapes of my pitches. He kind of knows when certain things aren't right, not necessarily to shy away from those pitches, but use them a little differently. So yeah, there's definitely a comfort there." Given the pitcher's results thus far, Lovullo may opt to pair Gallen and Herrera going forward.

Wheeler (6-1) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.

Wheeler hasn't given up a run over his last three starts, surrendering just nine hits and five walks while adding 22 strikeouts across 19.2 innings in that span. He's also won four straight starts while allowing no more than two runs in any of his last seven outings. Wheeler is now at a 2.42 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 88:14 K:BB across 70.2 innings over 11 starts this season. He's been one of the most reliable pitchers in the majors this year, and his next start is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.

Alcantara (2-7) allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Angels on Friday.

Alcantara continues to provide decent length, but he's given up at least four runs in five straight starts. He's lost his last seven outings, a span in which he's allowed seven of the eight home runs he's given up this year. This latest poor outing elevated Alcantara's ERA to 8.04 with a 1.57 WHIP and a 40:25 K:BB across 47 innings through 10 starts. It's not getting easier for the struggling starter, as Alcantara's next outing is projected to be at San Diego.

Jobe (4-1) took the loss against the Guardians on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings.

Both of the runs Jobe yielded came in the first inning. He kept the Guardians off the board over the next four frames and generated 11 whiffs on 89 pitches (53 strikes), but he didn't receive enough run support to avoid the loss, his first of 2025. Jobe has yielded three earned runs or less in eight of nine starts this season and has a 4.06 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 44.1 innings. His next start is tentatively slated for next week at home against the Giants.

Cecconi (1-1) came away with the win in Friday's game against the Tigers. He allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings.

Cecconi kept the Tigers off the board until the sixth inning, when he yielded a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson. Cecconi was able to finish off the frame to earn his first quality start of the season (and first since June 18 as a member of the Diamondbacks) and finished with 14 whiffs on 84 pitches (56 strikes). He should remain in the Guardians' rotation with Ben Lively (elbow) set to undergo season-ending surgery. Cecconi's next start is slated for next week at home against the Dodgers.

Kikuchi (1-4) allowed seven hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Marlins on Friday.

Kikuchi came up an out short of a quality start for the second time in a row, though this time it was due to his workload rather than an injury scare. He threw 110 pitches (70 strikes) in Friday's outing, and he was strong despite his ongoing issue with walking too many batters. He's allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four outings. Kikuchi's 3.17 ERA is strong, but his 1.49 WHIP and 54:30 K:BB over 59.2 innings (11 starts) raise plenty of concerns about sustainability. His next start is projected to be a tough home matchup versus the Yankees.

Mahle (5-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three across five innings.

All three runs charged to Mahle came in the third inning in a span of three plate appearances, capped off by a Luis Robert RBI single to center field. Mahle was able to keep the White Sox off the board otherwise, but he didn't receive enough run support to avoid the loss. It was the first time that the 30-year-old right-hander yielded three runs or more in a start this season, but his 1.80 ERA (across 60 innings) ranks fourth in the majors. Mahle is slated to face the Blue Jays at home next week.

Ragans (groin) has been playing catch and is expected to return from the injured list when eligible June 1, MLB.com reports.

Ragans exited his start May 16 due to left groin tightness, but it sounds like he'll miss the minimum amount of time. He has a 4.53 ERA this season but an excellent 72:13 K:BB in 45.2 innings.

Lugo (finger) has begun to throw off mound with increasing intensity while rehabbing in Kansas City, MLB.com reports.

Lugo is expected to return when eligible from the injured list May 30 as a result. He was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 14 due to right middle finger inflammation.