MLB Player News

Wacha didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning five across six innings.

Wacha was unable to repeat what he'd done the last time out, when he tossed seven scoreless innings against the Tigers on May 9, but at least he posted a third consecutive quality start. Wacha owns a 2.25 ERA and 14:4 K:BB across 20 innings in three appearances since the beginning of May, and he'll aim to keep it rolling in his next start against the Red Sox next week.

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.

Cruz (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Cardinals after allowing an unearned run on one hit and one walk across two-thirds of an inning.

Cruz entered Friday's game to pitch the 11th inning in a 4-4 tie, but he allowed a two-out RBI single to Yohel Pozo, scoring Nathan Church. Cruz has made four appearances since returning to the big-league roster May 8, posting a 6:3 K:BB across 3.2 innings. This unearned run was the lone run he's given up in that span.

Erceg allowed an unearned run on two hits in an inning of work Friday against the Cardinals, striking out two. He was charged with a blown save.

Erceg entered the game in the 10th inning with the Royals holding a one-run lead, but he allowed an RBI single to Alec Burleson that scored Thomas Saggese. This was Erceg's third blown save of the season, and he's now allowed runs in his last two outings. Erceg has gone 10-for-13 in save chances this season while posting a 3.44 ERA and 17:12 K:BB across 19 outings (18.1 innings).

King recorded his fourth save of the season Friday against the Rangers after tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out one.

King recorded the final five outs of the game while tossing 11 of his 17 pitches for strikes. This was a strong bounce-back effort for King, who blew his previous save chance Wednesday against the Mariners and was coming off three straight outings in which he had allowed baserunners. King has a 3.26 ERA in 16 appearances (19.1 innings) this season while going 4-for-6 in save chances thus far in 2026. King should remain as the go-to option for saves in Houston as long as Josh Hader (biceps) remains sidelined. Hader is eligible to return from the 60-day IL on May 24, so King's tenure as the Astros' closer might not last long.

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.