MLB Player News

Freeland (1-5) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Diamondbacks, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Freeland had a woeful outing Friday, and by the end of the first inning, he had given up six runs. While Freeland settled down afterward, the damage was already done. The veteran southpaw enjoyed a strong start to the season, but the wheels have fallen off of late. This was the fourth straight outing in which he allowed at least four earned runs, leading to an 11.50 ERA with a 2.17 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB across 18 innings over that dreadful stretch. Freeland is scheduled to make his next start against the Rangers next week.

Ashcraft allowed four runs on one hit and three walks without retiring a batter in the eighth inning of Friday's 7-6 win over Cleveland.

Ashcraft walked the first three batters he faced on 12 pitches before giving up a run-scoring single. His night was done after 15 pitches (three strikes) and more runs were charged to him when Brock Burke walked in two more runs and allowed a third on a sacrifice fly. Ashcraft, who entered Friday with three consecutive scoreless outings, is part of an unsettled closer mix since Emilio Pagan (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Since the injury, Ashcraft has allowed six runs with four walks and a blown save over four innings.

Kelly (3-3) tossed a complete game in Friday's win over the Rockies, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three without a walk over nine innings.

Kelly needed 100 pitches to record 27 outs Friday, and while he didn't overpower hitters, he looked in control all game long. He had outstanding run support, as the Diamondbacks erupted for six runs in the first inning and never looked back. Kelly has won his last two starts, posting a 9:3 K:BB while allowing two runs across 16 innings in that stretch. Kelly will try to extend his run of good results in his next start, scheduled for next week at home against the Giants.

Graceffo (3-1) earned the win in relief Friday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless 10th inning. He issued one walk.

Graceffo only tossed seven of his 14 pitches for strikes, and he walked the first batter he faced, but the righty emerged from the inning unscathed and ended up getting the win after the Cardinals won the game in the bottom of the 11th inning. Graceffo hasn't provided a lot of fantasy value out of the Cardinals' bullpen. He hasn't recorded a strikeout in his last five outings, a stretch in which he's issued three walks while allowing three earned runs and two homers across 5.1 frames.

Antone allowed one run on one hit over one inning, recording the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Guardians.

It was an unlikely save opportunity for Antone and the Reds, who upped a lead to 6-1 in the eighth inning before the bullpen fell apart. Graham Ashcraft and Brock Burke combined to give up four runs on five walks and one hit in the bottom of the eighth to make this contest a closer-than-it-should-have-been affair. Cincinnati's closer has been unsettled since Emilio Pagan (hamstring) landed on the injured list, and Antone could be one of several arms trotted out in the ninth inning.

Vargas went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-1 win over the Rockies.

Vargas got the rout started with a run-scoring single in the first inning and logged hits in his first four plate appearances. It was his third consecutive game with two RBI, giving him 30 over his first 36 games. That's one shy of the career-high 31 he had across 86 games for the Nationals in 2023. It's been an unprecedented year for the utility infielder, who entered 2026 batting .249 and averaging 16 RBI across nine MLB seasons. Just when it looked like he was regressing, he's responded by going 7-for-14 with six RBI over the last three contests.

Smith (elbow ) has begun a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

Smith, who began taking dry swings earlier this month, has added another baseball activity in his recovery from elbow surgery. He underwent a procedure to remove loose bodies April 16. The Diamondbacks have not yet offered an estimated timetable for Smith's return. He's currently on the 60-day injured list and eligible to return May 29.

Kelly went 3-for-5 with a double and four RBI during Friday's 10-5 win over the White Sox.

Kelly gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the fourth inning, and his second hit in the seventh plated another run to break a 4-4 tie. He completed the hat trick with a ground-rule double in the eighth that scored Alex Bregman and Seiya Suzuki, concluding a 10-run outburst from the Cubs' offense. Kelly is now batting .281 since the beginning of May, but his .636 OPS in that span and inconsistent playing time both work to limit his fantasy appeal.

Cabrera didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 10-5 victory over the White Sox, giving up three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters in 4.2 innings.

The Cubs' offense gave Cabrera a 4-1 lead to work with heading into the fifth inning, but the right-hander walked the first two batters he faced, both of whom eventually came around to score. He was taken out of the game after issuing his third free pass of the inning to Sam Antonacci, giving Cabrera his first start of the season with less than five innings pitched. Since starting the campaign with 11.2 consecutive shutout innings, the 28-year-old has surrendered at least three earned runs in each of his last seven starts and owns a 5.26 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in that span. His next chance to right the ship is expected to come at home against the Brewers.

Megill struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Twins.

Megill's ninth-inning opportunity came after manager Pat Murphy elected to use Abner Uribe in the eighth. Both relievers have struggled with consistency this season and own an ERA above 4.60, so it's unlikely the Brewers are ready to abandon their closer-by-committee approach.