MLB Player News

Cease didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Brewers, giving up two hits and three walks while fanning six across six scoreless innings.

Cease completed six innings for the first time this season, and the hard-throwing right-hander continues to rack up strikeouts. He has punched out at least six in each of his four starts on his way to 32 strikeouts over 20.2 innings, although he's also walked 12, which is pretty high even by his standards. Cease has a 1.74 ERA in four starts, but he also carries a 1.26 WHIP that's largely the byproduct of the amount of free passes he's handing out. He's slated to make his next start next week on the road against the Angels.

Hancock allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday.

Hancock logged his third quality start in four outings this season. He was working a shutout through five innings, but Xander Bogaerts' tagged him for a two-run home run in the sixth, which was just the second long ball Hancock's yielded this season. He's showing breakout potential with a 2.28 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB across 23.2 innings so far. Hancock is projected to make his next start at home versus the Athletics early next week.

Flaherty did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings.

The right-hander was dominant for much of the outing, opening the game with four strikeouts over the first two innings while needing just 25 pitches. Flaherty's only blemish came in the fifth, when back-to-back walks set up an RBI single from Kyle Isbel. After a mediocre start to the year, the 30-year-old has looked much sharper over his last two starts, allowing just two runs while striking out 13 across 11.2 innings. Flaherty has now lowered his season ERA to 4.05, but his 14 walks remain a concern, and he'll seek to keep building momentum in his next scheduled outing against Boston.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.

Lugo turned in another strong outing, continuing his excellent start to the season. The right-hander faced the minimum in every inning except the third, when Detroit strung together four hits but managed only one run on a sacrifice fly that brought home Javier Baez. Outside of that frame, Lugo was in full control, limiting traffic and missing bats effectively. The 36-year-old has now logged quality starts in three of his first four outings of the campaign and has yet to allow more than two runs in any start. Through 24.1 innings, Lugo owns a sparkling 1.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB, though he'll face a tougher test in his next scheduled outing against Baltimore.

Weiss is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rockies in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Weiss has been hit around quite a bit during his last two relief appearances, conceding nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over five innings. However, the Astros are running low on options with seven starting pitchers currently on the injured list, so the 29-year-old righty will be called upon to make his first MLB start. He'll at least benefit from a favorable matchup, as the Rockies rank in the bottom third of MLB with a .681 OPS.

Gil took a no-decision Wednesday against the Angels, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Following a shaky season debut against the Rays, Gil struggled once again Wednesday. Control remained an issue -- the right-hander walked multiple batters in his second straight outing and threw just 48 of his 83 pitches for strikes -- and three of his hits allowed were home runs. Gil has now coughed up seven runs on eight hits (four homers) and five walks over his first nine innings, so he shapes up as a volatile fantasy option next week versus Boston.

Kochanowicz took a no-decision Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander held his own versus a formidable Yankees lineup, turning in his second consecutive quality start Wednesday. Kochanowicz induced 10 groundouts on the evening, though he also issued at least four free passes for the third time in four starts on the year. While Kochanowicz does hold a respectable 3.47 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 23.1 innings, his 18:15 K:BB makes him a risky fantasy option against Toronto next week.

Cole (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole has built up to three innings (42 pitches) while pitching in sim games, and he's now been given the green light to begin playing in minor-league games. Because he's on the 15-day IL, the 35-year-old righty will be eligible to return at any moment, but the Yankees will presumably look to slowly build him up over the course of several rehab outings while he finishes up his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

The Rangers selected Quantrill's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Quantrill has made three starts at Round Rock so far this year and owns a 5.14 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 14 innings. The Rangers are short on bullpen arms after losing Chris Martin (biceps) and Luis Curvelo (shoulder) to the injured list Wednesday, so Quantrill could be tapped for long-relief duties while in the majors.

Yesavage (shoulder) gave up three earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters across 4.1 innings during his rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Although Yesavage was roughed up a bit, manager John Schneider said the 22-year-old righty "looked like himself" Wednesday while averaging 93.3 miles per hour with his fastball, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca. He threw 71 pitches (42 strikes) in what is expected to be his final rehab start before coming off the injured list. Yesavage appears on track to make his season debut during next week's road series versus the Angels.