MLB Player News

Ashcraft (9-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out two across three innings.

Ashcraft's put the Pirates behind early after yielding four runs in the first inning, three of which came on a Jazz Chisholm homer. Ashcraft was handed a 5-4 lead by his teammates, but the left-hander gave that back to the Yankees with another four-run frame in the third. The hits and runs allowed were both career highs for Ashcraft who, despite a 4-1 record, has a 5.40 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over his last seven starts in 36.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs at home this weekend.

Mederos secured his first career save Monday against San Diego, allowing one hit and one walk in 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out one.

Closer Raisel Iglesias had worked each of the past two days for Atlanta, so manager Walt Weiss stuck with Mederos to protect a 3-2 lead and gave his usual high-leverage arms the night off. The 25-year-old right-hander has almost exclusively handled low-leverage work in 2026 and shouldn't be expected to see save chances in the future, though he does hold an excellent 0.96 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings.

Elder (6-6) earned the win Monday against San Diego, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in six-plus innings. He struck out four.

Elder came out for the seventh inning Monday, but he served up a solo home run to Ty France and was promptly pulled from the outing. It was the right-hander's first quality start since June 7 versus Pittsburgh, but he hasn't given up fewer than multiple runs since May 22 against Washington. Elder is set to finish a two-start week over the weekend in Baltimore, where he'll carry a middling 4.06 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 90:33 K:BB over 108.2 innings.

Schwellenbach (elbow) has been cleared to throw bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

It's not yet clear as to when Schwellenbach might embark on a rehab assignment, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. He'll likely be asked to complete several more bullpen sessions without issue before the club feels comfortable putting him up against live hitters.

Sears (2-3) took the loss Monday against Atlanta, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Sears was cruising along until Atlanta's two-run fifth inning, though one went unearned due to catcher interference by Freddy Fermin. It was still one of Sears' better outings this year, as the 30-year-old southpaw worked at least five innings while yielding one earned run or zero for the second time through five appearances. Sears is set to wrap up a two-start week this weekend in Miami, where he'll bring a 4.38 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 24.2 innings.

McDonald was pulled from Monday's game against the Royals due to a right elbow injury, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

McDonald stated after the game that he experienced some discomfort in his throwing elbow while warming up for the fifth inning, resulting in his departure. He'll undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his injury.

Horwitz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on Tuesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Horwitz has been on the 10-day injured list since suffering a left hamstring strain June 24 against Seattle. However, his rehab has been trending in the right direction, and he'll take the next step Tuesday. Horwitz has missed nearly a month of action, so he figures to need at least a handful of at-bats in the minors before being activated.

McDonald was removed from Monday's start against the Royals with an undisclosed injury, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings prior to departing.

McDonald went out to warm up for the bottom of the fifth inning before motioning for a trainer to come out of the dugout, and he would walk off the mound following a brief conversation. The severity of McDonald's injury is unclear at this time.

Bader (foot) is unlikely to be activated from the 10-day injured list until after the trade deadline, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

Bader was cleared to resume running the bases at the beginning of the month, but the team hasn't provided much of an update since. Manager Tony Vitello stated Monday that Bader is progressing slowly, and he failed to provide an estimated timetable for the outfielder's return. The 32-year-old will presumably need to complete a rehab assignment in the minors before being activated.

Chapman (abdomen) has been faring well in his rehab and could be activated in time for San Francisco's upcoming homestand, which begins Friday against the Angels, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

Webeck notes that Chapman made it through one of his more active rehab days yet Monday, and he felt good throughout the workout. Manager Tony Vitello stated that he believes Chapman could be activated from the 10-day injured list in time for Friday's series opener, though the team should have a better idea of his return date as the week progresses.