MLB Player News

Elder completed seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters in a no-decision against Philadelphia on Saturday.

Elder surrendered a run in the first inning but managed to finish seven frames with just two additional tallies on his ledger. He was far from overpowering with just six whiffs and two punchouts, but the righty nonetheless logged his second straight quality start and fourth overall on the campaign through six outings. Elder has been a pleasant surprise for Atlanta and fantasy managers this season, carrying a 1.95 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB through 37 frames. His next start is tentatively slated to be a road matchup against the Rockies.

Wheeler allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six batters over five innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday.

Wheeler was activated from the injured list early Saturday and made his first MLB start since mid-August of last year. The veteran righty tossed 84 pitches (56 strikes) and looked dominant at times with 15 whiffs, though he also walked three batters and gave up a pair of runs in the fourth frame. Overall, this was a nice first outing for Wheeler, who gave up four runs over four frames in his final minor-league rehab start with Double-A Reading. His next appearance is lined up to be a road tilt in Miami.

Nunez went 2-for-4 with four RBI, a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

The 25-year-old middle infielder established a season high in RBI, which also matched a career best. However, Nunez is likely to remain strictly a fantasy streamer for stolen bases going forward -- he's slashing a pitiful .195/.298/.207 with one extra-base hit, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored over 96 plate appearances but does rank first in the major leagues with 12 steals.

Varland blew the save Saturday against the White Sox, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Although it was Varland who was charged with the blown save, both of Chicago's two runs scored in the eighth frame went against Mitchell Parker, who allowed back-to-back baserunners to open the inning. Varland has been working his way into a tandem at closer with Clayton Beeter, and Saturday's showing shouldn't affect his status in the Nationals' bullpen. Through 10.1 innings, Varland has a 3.48 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB while converting two his four save chances.

Irvin took a no-decision Saturday against the White Sox, allowing no runs on four hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out nine.

The 29-year-old right-hander had his entire pitch mix working, registering 16 whiffs en route to fanning a season-high nine in his first scoreless start of the year. Interestingly, a passed ball and subsequent throwing error by Keibert Ruiz in the sixth inning enabled Irvin to strike out four in a single frame Saturday. Irvin is still searching for more consistent run prevention, as evidenced by his 4.85 ERA through 29.2 innings, but he does have a strong 1.18 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB ahead of his next scheduled outing versus the Brewers.

Perez (2-2) took the loss Saturday against the Giants, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Perez was cruising along through four shutout frames, but San Francisco proceeded to plate four runs across the fifth and sixth innings. All but one of the seven hits allowed by the hard-throwing right-hander went for extra bases, with two leaving the yard. Perez carries a shaky 4.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across his first 31.1 innings, and he's given up multiple runs in all but one of his six starts. A tough matchup against the Phillies is lined up for his next outing.

Ray took a no-decision Saturday against the Marlins, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw had a hard time finding his control, throwing only 55 of his 97 pitches for strikes, but still managed to scatter four singles across five frames of one-run ball. Although Ray has walked at least three batters in four of his past five starts, he's tossed at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in five of his six outings in 2026. Ray will bring a strong 2.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB over 33.1 innings into his next appearance, which is set come at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field versus the Rays.

Muncy was removed from Saturday's game against the Cubs in the fourth inning due to an apparent illness, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned prior to Saturday's game that Muncy was battling an illness, and after Muncy walked in the bottom of the fourth inning, Santiago Espinal came on to run for him. Before leaving, Muncy went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer and a pair of walks. It will be worth monitoring to see if he's available for Sunday's series finale.

Marquez (3-1) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk with two strikeouts over six innings.

Marquez surrendered four runs in the second inning but rebounded with four scoreless frames to finish strong. Through five starts, the 31-year-old has alternated between three, four-run outings and two scoreless efforts. Overall, he owns a 4.38 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 24.2 innings and lines up for a home matchup against the White Sox next weekend.

France went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

France got the Padres on the board with a solo shot in the fifth inning before adding another in the ninth. It marked his second multi-hit effort of the season and his first two-homer game since 2023. On the year, the 31-year-old is slashing .265/.306/.559 with four extra-base hits, three RBI and six runs scored across just 36 plate appearances.