MLB Player News

Thornton could be a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to replace the injured Clay Holmes (fibula) in the Mets' big-league rotation.

Holmes was struck by a comebacker Friday and fractured his right fibula, creating another hole in the rotation. While Thornton doesn't have the prospect pedigree of Jonah Tong or Jack Wenninger, the 24-year-old southpaw has added velocity and advanced quickly through the system since being a fifth-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. Thornton's two-seam and four-seam fastballs sit in the low 90s but can touch 95 miles per hour, and he also works with a potentially plus slider, a cutter, a changeup and a curveball. He was promoted to Triple-A at the beginning of May, and through two starts for Syracuse he sports a 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 12 innings. Thornton isn't yet on the 40-man roster, but he's on turn to potentially replace Holmes, having also pitched Friday.

Wenninger could get a chance to replace Clay Holmes (fibula) in the Mets' rotation, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Holmes was struck by a comebacker Friday and fractured his right fibula, creating another hole on the big-league staff. Wenninger has been impressive of late for Triple-A Syracuse, tossing 16.2 scoreless innings over his last three starts while allowing only seven hits with a 19:7 K:BB, but his overall 38:18 K:BB in 33.1 frames this season suggests he could still use some more development time. The 24-year-old right-hander is next set to take the mound Sunday for Syracuse, while the Mets will need a new starting pitcher May 20 when Holmes' next turn would have come around, so whether Wenninger gets scratched this weekend will provide an early clue as to the organization's plans.

Peterson is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Huascar Brazoban during Saturday's game against the Yankees at Citi Field, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Peterson will work out of the bullpen for the fifth time in six appearances and for the third time in a row behind the right-handed Brazoban, who will likely work an inning or two before giving way to the lefty. The Mets have gotten far better results from Peterson while using him in relief this season and will likely continue to use him out of the bullpen when his future turns in the rotation come up. Peterson has posted an 8.10 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 11.2 K-BB% across 23.1 innings in five starts and a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 16.9 K-BB% across 16 innings in four relief appearances.

Littell (2-4) picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

The 30-year-old right-hander put together his best performance of the season on 87 pitches (49 strikes), as Littell lasted at least five innings for the first time since April 22 and didn't serve up a homer for only the third time in nine trips to the mound. After a ghastly April, Littell has found a rhythm in May, posting a 2.13 ERA. 0.95 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB though 12.2 innings over three appearances, two of them as a bulk reliever. He'll look to keep rolling in his next turn through the rotation, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mets.

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.

May didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks across six innings. He struck out three.

May has gone winless in his last four starts (0-2), but he's posted a quality start in each of those outings. He's now allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven outings, posting a 2.83 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 41.1 frames over that stretch. May will aim to keep this strong run going in his next start, scheduled to come against the Pirates.

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.

Cabrera didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 10-5 victory over the White Sox, giving up three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters in 4.2 innings.

The Cubs' offense gave Cabrera a 4-1 lead to work with heading into the fifth inning, but the right-hander walked the first two batters he faced, both of whom eventually came around to score. He was taken out of the game after issuing his third free pass of the inning to Sam Antonacci, giving Cabrera his first start of the season with less than five innings pitched. Since starting the campaign with 11.2 consecutive shutout innings, the 28-year-old has surrendered at least three earned runs in each of his last seven starts and owns a 5.26 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in that span. His next chance to right the ship is expected to come at home against the Brewers.