MLB Player News

Ashcraft took a no-decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks in 7.2 innings. He struck out six.

Sunday was the longest start of Ashcraft's career, and he worked very efficiently while tossing 82 pitches. The right-hander has been consistent for the Pirates and fantasy managers alike thus far, pitching at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in six of his seven starts. Ashcraft will bring a strong 3.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB over 41.2 frames into his next scheduled appearance versus the Giants.

Burns took a no-decision Sunday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out seven.

The hard-throwing right-hander turned in arguably his strongest showing of the campaign so far. Burns generated an impressive 18 whiffs and scattered three singles Sunday, spinning a season-high seven innings during his third scoreless start of the year. He'll take an outstanding 2.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 46:13 K:BB over 41 frames into his next start, which is slated to come against the Astros.

The Cubs claimed Peralta off waivers from the Cardinals on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Peralta was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Friday but quickly found a home in a new organization willing to dedicate a 40-man roster spot to him. The southpaw never made an appearance in the Cardinals organization, but he posted an inflated 17.18 ERA and 3.24 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 7.1 innings in six appearances with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque this season. Peralta has the ability to punch out batters, but he'll need to greatly limit the damage against him at Iowa before receiving a look in Chicago's bullpen.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Sunday that Duran (oblique) may not require a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Mattingly's comments came after Duran checked out fine following his bullpen session Saturday, during which the right-hander touched 100 miles per hour with his fastball. The Phillies are still deciding on the next steps for Duran, who is eligible to come off the IL at any point after missing more than 15 days due to a left oblique strain. Brad Keller has collected the Phillies' lone save since Duran hit the shelf, but the closer's role should be Duran's for the taking once he's activated.

Dodd (back) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett in the coming days, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

Dodd has been on the 15-day injured list since April 23 while recovering from left thoracic spine inflammation, but the southpaw now appears to be nearing a return to action. Dodd has made two appearances with Atlanta this season, giving up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four batters over four innings.

The Marlins are expected to option Ramirez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Ramirez will head to Jacksonville after posting a disappointing .230/.318/.345 slash line with two home runs, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and three stolen bases over 129 plate appearances in 31 contests with the Marlins this season. The 24-year-old hasn't shown improvement of late with a .200 average and 13 strikeouts over his last 14 games, so the Marlins appear ready to send him to Triple-A for a reset. In a corresponding move, the Marlins are expected to promote top catching prospect Joe Mack from Triple-A, and he could end up serving as Miami's primary catcher while Liam Hicks sees more starts at designated hitter and/or first base.

The Marlins are expected to call up Mack from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Mack will get a chance to make his MLB debut during Monday's series finale against the Phillies. The 23-year-old catcher is considered one of Miami's top prospects, and he's slashed .244/.388/.378 with three home runs and one stolen base over 103 plate appearances with Jacksonville this season. Agustin Ramirez is set to be sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move, so Mack will share reps behind the plate with Liam Hicks for the time being.

Manager Pat Murphy said Sunday that Zerpa (forearm) is deciding whether or not to undergo Tommy John surgery, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured list Wednesday due to forearm tightness, and he could end up being out for the season and beyond. Even if Zerpa doesn't end up needing Tommy John surgery, he seems likely to be sidelined for multiple months.

Dubin signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday.

Dubin made his organizational debut Sunday with Triple-A Rochester, tossing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever most recently saw action at the big-league level with Houston and Baltimore in 2025, when he turned in a 5.08 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 33.2 innings.

The Nationals claimed Kent off waivers from the Twins on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

Kent has bounced around aplenty over the last six months, with Washington now marking the fifth different stop for the righty reliever during that stretch. Though Kent will head to Triple-A, a strong showing in his initial appearances with Rochester could put him on the fast track to a Washington bullpen lacking in dependable arms.