MLB Player News

Hentges allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out two over three innings in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Twins.

Hentges worked the most innings of any Cleveland pitcher Wednesday after an ugly start from Logan Allen. The 24-year-old Hentges has a 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and six strikeouts with no walks over 5.2 innings this season. He had a 5.11 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 26 starts with Double-A Akron in 2019, so there's a track record as a starter if manager Terry Francona wants to call on the southpaw for a rotation spot in the near future. Cal Quantrill is also in the mix for the fifth starter role.

Maton pitched a scoreless inning and allowed one hit in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Twins.

Cleveland was hit hard early in the game, but Nick Wittgren, Maton and Kyle Nelson combined for three scoreless innings at the end of the game. The 28-year-old Maton now has a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across 7.1 innings this year. He has yet to record a hold, but more strong outings could see him take on higher-leverage assignments as the season continues.

Stephan allowed one run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Twins.

Logan Allen had an awful start, and Stephan was needed to help get through the second inning. He also pitched the third, allowing a solo shot to Willians Astudillo as the Twins ran away with the game. The 25-year-old Stephan has a 5.91 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 10.2 innings. He's mostly worked in a multi-inning, low-leverage role this season. He's also given up four home runs -- keeping the ball in the yard will be critical for his effectiveness this season.

Armstrong pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Yankees.

Armstrong was the first reliever up after an ineffective 4.1 innings from starter Dean Kremer. The 30-year-old Armstrong was better in his outing. He's now strung together four scoreless innings in his last three appearances. For the year, the right-hander has a 9.00 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 7:6 K:BB in eight innings. He'll likely continue to work in a low-leverage role after a rough start to 2021.

Barnes struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn a save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Mets.

Barnes needed only 12 pitches (nine strikes) to strike out Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith in order. The 30-year-old Barnes has picked up three saves in four days and now has six in 13 appearances this season. He's posted a 2.57 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB across 14 innings as the Red Sox's closer.

Pivetta (3-0) pitched five shutout innings, allowing a hit and three walks with seven strikeouts to earn the win Wednesday versus the Mets.

Pivetta was effective once again in a game he absolutely needed to be, as Mets ace Jacob deGrom only allowed one run in the contest. The 28-year-old Pivetta has a 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 25:17 K:BB across 25.2 innings in five starts. While the free passes are a little concerning, he's done well to limit the damage from issuing so many walks. The right-hander's next start is expected to be Tuesday versus the lowly Tigers.

King was optioned to the alternate training site after Wednesday's win over the Orioles.

The 25-year-old rejoined the big-league roster Tuesday and will head back to the alternate site after firing two scoreless innings during Wednesday's victory. King has yet to allow a run through 11 innings for the Yankees this season, so it shouldn't be too long before he's back in the majors. Wandy Peralta is expected to be added to the roster Thursday after being acquired from the Giants earlier this week.

Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that he doesn't expect Paredes (side) to return from the injured list for at least another week and a half, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Paredes continues to make progress since being placed on the IL on April 9 with a sore right side, but he still has a few more checkpoints to clear in the recovery process before the Astros will feel comfortable pinpointing a target date for his return. The right-hander has posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 4.9 K-BB% in 22 innings over 25 relief appearances across the past two seasons.

Manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Scrubb (shoulder) could be activated at some point during the Astros' upcoming six-game road trip, which begins Friday in Tampa Bay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Scrubb has been on the 10-day injured list all season with an inflamed right shoulder, but he took a significant step forward recently by throwing on back-to-back days at the Astros' alternate site. As a rookie last season, Scrubb turned in a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 innings, but the underlying peripherals (88.2 percent strand rate, .212 BABIP, 3.9 K-BB%) suggest he wasn't nearly as effective as his ERA would indicate.

Fulmer will be available out of the bullpen Wednesday and Thursday in Chicago, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Fulmer and Tarik Skubal had been piggybacking, but Skubal will work as a traditional starter Friday while Fulmer shifts to a less rigid role in the short term. He has pitched very well this season, logging a 3.32 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB in 19 innings, but he has not been used in a fantasy-friendly role.