MLB Player News

Burleson went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Pirates.

The 27-year-old slugger has now racked up eight RBI in his last three games, also tallying multiple hits in three of his past four outings. Burleson is off to a strong start at the dish, cementing himself as St. Louis' primary No. 3 hitter. Through 119 at-bats, he's hitting .277 with four home runs, eight doubles, 25 RBI and 15 walks.

Gerber (finger) struck out two and allowed two hits over a scoreless inning during his rehab appearance Tuesday at Triple-A Syracuse.

The right-hander took the hill for the second appearance of his assignment after he previously tossed a scoreless frame for Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday. Gerber shouldn't require much more additional time in the minors to prove his health after landing on the injured list April 14 due to a blister, but his activation could be delayed nonetheless if the Mets don't have a spot available for him in the big-league bullpen.

Drohan (1-1) earned the win Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four over four innings.

The left-hander entered the game in the third inning following Brandon Woodruff's early exit due to an arm injury, and Drohan turned in a solid outing to secure his first career MLB win. The 27-year-old's lone run allowed came in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Lourdes Gurriel after three hits in the frame. The performance was an encouraging step forward for Drohan, who had struggled in his previous MLB appearances, allowing six runs (four earned) with a 5:5 K:BB across 7.2 innings.

Manager Pat Murphy said Thursday that Woodruff (arm) will receive some time off before making his next start, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff averaged just 85 mph on his fastball during his start Thursday and was pulled after throwing only 21 pitches over 1.1 innings. He said after the game that he didn't feel any pain while on the mound but is instead dealing with a case of dead arm. There's a real chance that the 33-year-old ends up spending time on the injured list, though the Brewers will hold off on making a decision for now while they run additional tests on him. Logan Henderson is a likely candidate to join the big club and start in Woodruff's place.

Sal Frelick went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Frelick added to Milwaukee's offensive outburst with a 402-foot solo shot off Brandon Pfaadt in the seventh inning, long after the game was already in hand. The homer was his third of the season and gives him two long balls over his last three games. Despite the recent power, Frelick's overall production remains modest, as he's now slashing .211/.311/.333 with three homers, nine RBI and 15 runs scored across 105 plate appearances.

Lazar (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Jersey Shore on Thursday.

Lazar has been out all season with a left oblique strain he suffered during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Israel. He is on the 60-day injured list and not eligible to return until late May, so Lazar will make several rehab appearances before the Phillies consider adding him back to their active roster.

Contreras went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Contreras was at the center of Milwaukee's offensive explosion, opening the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before launching a 419-foot, two-run homer in the third to extend the lead. He added another RBI with a single in the fourth. The catcher finished with a perfect day at the plate, reaching base five times. The homer was his third of the season and his first since April 11. Contreras is now slashing .279/.355/.423 with seven doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored across 124 plate appearances.

Dobbins didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Dobbins wasn't sharp in both his Cardinals and season debut coming off last year's knee surgery, tying a career worst in free passes and firing only 41 of his 79 pitches for strikes. St. Louis is working with a six-man rotation for the time being due to a lack of off days, so the 26-year-old right-hander might only be staying in the major leagues temporarily. That said, Dobbins appears likely to get at least one more turn through the rotation next week against the division-rival Brewers.

Soroka (4-1) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings.

Soroka was hit hard from the start, allowing consistent contact and struggling to put hitters away. He threw 79 pitches and faced 21 batters, retiring just nine before being pulled in the fourth after surrendering four straight singles without recording an out. The outing was a stark contrast to Soroka's strong start to the season, as he had previously gone at least five innings in every outing, including two double-digit strikeout performances. The right-hander's ERA jumped from 2.60 to 4.70, and he now holds a 1.43 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across 30.2 innings. Soroka is tentatively scheduled to face Pittsburgh in his next start.

The Phillies selected Richards' contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Richards has been on a roll at Lehigh Valley, having collected a 1.93 ERA and 26:3 K:BB over his first 14 innings. The veteran righty is capable of handling multiple innings and is candidate for long-relief work in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Giants.