MLB Player News

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Phillies, giving up four runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 26-year-old righty had a quality start through six innings with the Pirates holding a 6-3 lead, but manager Don Kelly tried to coax one more frame out of Ashcraft. He got two outs after a leadoff single, but then got lifted after 100 pitches (76 strikes) and had to watch Mason Montgomery serve up a two-run shot to Kyle Schwarber, with the rest of the bullpen ultimately costing Ashcraft his third win of the year. Ashcraft will take a 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 56:14 K:BB through 55.1 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road next week in St. Louis.

Moreno went 2-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Friday's win over the Rockies.

Moreno kicked things off with a two-run single in the top of the first inning and later added an RBI double in the seventh. This was Moreno's second consecutive game with multiple hits, and he's beginning to show signs of ending his slump. Moreno has hit just .179 with a .522 OPS, a homer, seven RBI and 13 strikeouts across 39 at-bats this month.

Kerkering walked one and struck out one while giving up an unearned run in the 10th inning Friday to record his first save of the season in an 11-9 win over the Pirates.

With Jhoan Duran not yet pitching on back-to-back days and Brad Keller having worked Wednesday and Thursday, interim manager Don Mattingly has to get creative with his high-leverage arms. Jose Alvarado struck out the side in a scoreless ninth, and then after the Phillies rang up three runs in the top of the 10th, Kerkering got the call and allowed only the phantom runner to score. The right-hander hasn't seen much usage in key situations this season, and through 16.1 innings over 18 appearances he sports a 2.20 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB with just one win and one hold in addition to Friday's save.

Ramirez batted second and went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Reds.

Ramirez, who is batting just .220 through 46 games, logged his first three-hit effort of the season. It was the second consecutive game that he and Chase DeLauter switched spots in the batting order, and if batting second triggers a revival in the veteran's bat, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt may stick with the change. Ramirez, who has spent the majority of his career batting third (1,009 starts), recently expressed interest in batting second, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The manager said nothing his set in stone, but he trusts Ramirez's instincts and will roll with the new batting order for now.

Walker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's extra-innings win over the Royals.

Walker was one of three St. Louis players who recorded multi-hit performances, and the outfielder continues to enjoy a breakout season in 2026. This was his 13th long ball of the campaign, and he's hit safely in all but four of his 13 games in May. Walker is hitting .367 with a 1.181 OPS, four homers, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 7:10 BB:K across 56 plate appearances this month.

Schwarber went 3-for-5 with a walk, two home runs and five RBI in Friday's 11-9 extra-inning win over the Pirates.

The red-hot slugger launched two-run homers off Braxton Ashcraft in the fifth inning and Mason Montgomery in the seventh before drawing a bases-loaded walk in the ninth, fueling a Phillies rally from an early 6-0 deficit. Schwarber is the first player in the majors this season to hit 20 home runs, and he put his name in the record books alongside some very notable peers -- per Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Schwarber is the second player in Phillies history to launch nine or more long balls in an eight-game span, joining Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, and Schwarber's the second player in history to have multiple such power surges in his career after Albert Belle. During his current eight-game heater, Schwarber's batting .353 (12-for-34) with nine homers and 15 RBI.

Paredes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Rangers.

Paredes went yard for the first time since April 26. Paredes hasn't delivered eye-popping numbers in recent weeks, but he's been productive enough to remain relevant, aided by the fact that he hits near the top of the order on a regular basis. He's hitting .265 with a .756 OPS, a homer, three RBI, two runs scored and a 6:11 BB:K in 14 games since the beginning of May.

Nola didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 11-9 extra-inning win over the Pirates, coughing up six runs on six hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

The veteran right-hander labored through 80 pitches (47 strikes) and served up homers to Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna before getting lifted with the Phillies down 6-1, but Nola's offense was able to bail him out. It's the third time in his last five starts that Nola has been tagged for five or more runs, and he'll carry a 5.91 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB through 45.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Reds.

Leiter (1-4) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Astros after allowing one run on three hits and three walks across seven innings. He struck out six.

Leiter's only mistake in his outing was the solo homer he gave up to Isaac Paredes in the third inning. It's only two starts, but Leiter seems to be turning things around after a tough stretch that saw him allow 21 runs (20 earned) on 27 innings across five starts between April 11 and May 3. Leiter has bounced back and has allowed just one run on 11.2 frames in his last two starts. Leiter will try to keep it rolling in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week against the Rockies on the road.

Arrighetti (5-1) earned the win Friday against the Rangers after tossing 7.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out five.

Arrighetti's excellent start to the season reached a new high Friday, as he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before having it broken up by a Justin Foscue single. Arrighetti has allowed one run or zero in all but one of his six outings since making his season debut April 15, and while he should experience some kind of regression sooner or later, it's impossible to overlook what he's been doing on the mound. Across six starts, Arrighetti owns a 1.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 36 innings with a 35:21 K:BB. The walks are concerning, as he's issued at least four free passes in four of his six starts.