MLB Player News

Burns gave up two earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven in 5.1 innings Thursday for Triple-A Louisville.

In his Triple-A debut, Burns held his own against a stacked Iowa lineup that includes Moises Ballesteros, Jonathon Long, Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara. The 22-year-old righty averaged 97.1 mph on his four-seam fastball and touched 98.6 mph, and his 89-mph slider got whiffs 50 percent of the time. Now that he's at Triple-A, Burns could be promoted to the majors at any point and is a must-stash where possible.

Blackburn appears to be the top option to replace the injured Kodai Senga (hamstring) in New York's rotation, Will Sammon of the Athletic reports.

Blackburn missed the first two-plus months of the season due to knee problems, but the veteran right-hander has been impressive since coming off the injured list, blanking the Dodgers over five innings in a spot start for his 2025 debut June 2 before recording his first career save in a long-relief stint against the Rockies last Sunday. He worked over 70 pitches in both appearances, so length wouldn't be an issue if he shifts back into the rotation. The Mets will wait and see how Frankie Montas (lat) looks in his rehab start Friday before making any decisions on who will take Senga's next turn, however.

Montas (lat) is set to make a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Syracuse and could be reinstated from the 60-day injured list next week to make his Mets debut, Will Sammon of the Athletic reports.

The right-hander built up to 76 pitches in his last start for Syracuse on Sunday, so if he looks good Friday, it could be enough to convince the team he's ready for his 2025 debut. Montas signed a one year, $17 million contract with the Mets this offseason that included a player option for 2026 after producing a 4.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 148:66 K:BB over 150.2 innings last season between the Reds and Brewers. The Mets could have Montas enter the rotation as a direct replacement for Kodai Senga, who is headed to the injured list after straining his hamstring in his latest start Thursday against the Nationals.

Taillon (7-3) recorded the win Thursday against the Pirates after giving up two runs on four hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Taillon extended his streak of quality starts to six, and it was also his eighth such effort in his last nine outings. The 33-year-old right-hander has yielded greater than three runs on just two occasions this year, and he also tied his season high in punchouts Thursday. Taillon holds a steady 3.48 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB across 82.2 innings ahead of his next appearance, which is set to come versus a Brewers team that's batting a paltry .218 against righties since the start of May.

Heaney (3-5) took the loss Thursday against the Cubs after giving up three runs on four hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

It was the fifth quality start of the year for Heaney, who registered his most strikeouts since April 23 against the Angels. The veteran left-hander perhaps dangerously poured in 54 of his 76 pitches for strikes against a tough Cubs lineup, as Chicago was able to tag him for two home runs. Heaney owns a strong 3.33 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 59:24 K:BB across 78.1 innings, but he may be a riskier fantasy option than usual his next time out against a Tigers club that's slugging a potent .472 versus southpaws since May 1.

Ashby gave up three hits and no walks in three scoreless innings of relief, earning the save in Thursday's 6-0 win over the Cardinals.

It was the first save of the season for Ashby, who fired at least three innings for the first time in 2025. The 27-year-old left-hander is currently being deployed as a multi-inning reliever, but he's mostly worked in lower-leverage spots since coming off the injured list. Through nine innings on the season, Ashby has zero holds but has yet to give up a run while notching a 0.78 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB.

Frelick went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 6-0 win over the Cardinals.

It was the fourth game of the year with at least three hits for Frelick, who also hit leadoff in the Brewers' lineup for the fourth time this season. It's unclear if the move atop the batting order will stick going forward, but the speedy outfielder has certainly hit for a high enough average to warrant some consideration. Over his last 18 outings (67 at-bats), Frelick is batting .343 with one home run, a double, seven RBI and three stolen bases.

Gray (7-2) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers after giving up six runs on eight hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Gray allowed his second-most runs of the season in what was tied for his second-shortest outing of the year. The veteran right-hander did at least exhibit his usual control, walking one or fewer in his seventh straight start, but he fanned fewer than five for the first time in his past five outings. Gray is still in possession of a healthy 3.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 85:15 K:BB over 79.2 innings, and he'll have a prime opportunity to right the ship against the lowly White Sox in his next scheduled appearance.

Garcia signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Thursday.

Garcia spent the first few months of the 2025 season with Triple-A Nashville in the Brewers organization but was released in early June. Despite struggling to a 5.45 and 1.73 WHIP across 33 innings with Triple-A Nashville, Garcia will get another opportunity.

Fitzgerald went 0-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday's 8-7 loss to the Rockies.

Fitzgerald hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning, giving him an RBI in back-to-back games for the first time since April 16-17. The 27-year-old infielder has struggled through 11 outings in June, batting .121 with two RBI, two runs scored, two stolen bases and a 4:10 BB:K across 40 plate appearances this month.