MLB Player News

Kirby (0-1) allowed five runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Astros.

Kirby missed over a quarter of the season while dealing with right shoulder inflammation. He was on a pitch count Thursday and had some rust to shake off, struggling the second time through the Houston order. The Astros tied the game with two runs in the third inning and added three more in the fourth. Kirby threw 49 of 72 pitches for strikes and should be able to push closer to 80-to-85 pitches for his second start. That outing is projected to come at home versus the Nationals next week.

McCullers allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Thursday versus the Mariners.

McCullers pitched into the fifth inning for the third time in four starts, but he once again had trouble with traffic on the basepaths. He's walked three batters in three of his starts, though the eight strikeouts more than doubled his season total. Still, he landed just 52 of 91 pitches for strikes in this outing. McCullers is at a 6.57 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB across 12.1 innings so far in his first major-league action since 2022. Walks were an issue for him in 2021 and 2022 as well, but not to this extent, and he'll be tough to trust in fantasy until he can cut down on the free passes. His next start is tentatively projected to be at home versus the Athletics.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said that Woo remains on track to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Astros after being struck in the lower leg by a foul ball Thursday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

A hard-hit foul ball in the eighth inning of Thursday's game in Houston traveled into the Seattle dugout and struck Woo, who headed back to the clubhouse for further evaluation. According to Wilson, Woo sustained some bruising to his leg, but the Mariners don't believe the issue will put the right-hander's next turn through the rotation in jeopardy. Through nine starts this season, Woo has gone 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 55:8 K:BB across 57.2 innings.

Flaherty (2-6) allowed three runs on three hits across 6.2 innings and took the loss Thursday against the Guardians. He walked three and struck out eight.

Flaherty logged his first quality start since April 22 but still sustained his sixth loss over his last seven starts. The righty has struggled to keep the ball in the park recently, as he allowed a home run Thursday and has now served up 10 long balls across 36.2 innings during those seven appearances. Overall, Flaherty is sitting with a 4.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 53.1 innings this season, and he'll look to get back into the win column in his next outing, which is tentatively penciled in for Tuesday against the Giants.

Gilbert (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game ahead of Friday's game against the Astros, Tim Booth of the Seattle Times reports.

Gilbert threw his first up-and-down bullpen session last Saturday, and he's now set to advance in his throwing progression. The right-hander is working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain, and he still has a chance to return to the Mariners' rotation before the end of May if all continues to go well. That said, Seattle's plans for Gilbert remain undecided as it relates to a possible rehab assignment, but the righty's next steps should become clearer following Friday's session.

Anderson allowed five runs on seven hits and six walks across 4.2 innings in a no-decision Thursday against the A's. He didn't record a strikeout.

It was a rough day for Anderson, who issued a season-high six walks, including a pair with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. After pitching to a 2.58 ERA in his first eight outings, Anderson's now allowed nine runs on 14 hits across 9.2 innings in his last two starts. The veteran left-hander's ERA now sits at 3.60 through 10 starts (55 innings) this season with a 1.24 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB. It won't get easier for Anderson in his next outing -- he's currently lined up for a tough home matchup with the Yankees.

Severino did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Angels. He allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out five across six innings.

It's the second straight quality start for Severino, though the right-hander still doesn't have a win since April 19, as the A's bullpen would cough up eight runs after Severino departed. Overall, the 31-year-old is 1-4 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB through 11 starts (65.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up to face the Astros on the road in his next outing.

Francis took a no-decision in Thursday's 7-6 victory over the Padres, throwing four innings and allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Francis was lifted from the ballgame after four solid innings of work Thursday, but he's now failed to last five frames in five of his past six starts. The right-hander's struggle to keep the ball in the yard continued as he has now allowed a home run in eight of his 10 starts this season, bringing his total up to a staggering 15 on the year.

Miller (elbow) said he will throw a simulated game Friday in Houston and will operate on a six-day routine moving forward, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The sim game will be up-and-down for two innings. Miller believes if it goes well, he will avoid a rehab assignment and could subsequently return to the Mariners' rotation. The righty is coming back from right elbow inflammation that he has dealt with throughout the season, with the injury ultimately landing him on the injured list May 12.

The Astros recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

The 26-year-old will presumably step into the rotation spot vacated by Ronel Blanco (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. The Astros don't currently have a starter listed for Sunday's home game versus the Mariners, so Gordon likely slot in to make a start that day, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The rookie lefty previously made two starts for the big club this season, giving up six earned runs while turning in a 10:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings.