MLB Player News

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the bereavement list Wednesday.

By rule, Ashcraft will be away from the team for at least three and as many as seven games. Luis Mey was recalled from Triple-A Louisville to replace Ashcraft in the bullpen.

The Cubs outrighted Velasquez to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

After being designated for assignment Sunday and then clearing waivers, Velasquez had the ability to elect free agency and pursue his options on the open market, but he looks like he'll wind up sticking in the Cubs organization. The veteran right-hander made one appearance out of the big-league bullpen upon being called up from Triple-A last Friday, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings. He'll likely shift back into a starting role with Iowa.

Atlanta designated Carrasco for assignment Wednesday.

He'll give up his spot on the roster and in the bullpen to left-hander Dylan Lee (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. After being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, Carrasco went on to toss a scoreless inning out of the bullpen against the Nationals later that day but didn't make any appearances beyond that. Assuming he clears waivers and doesn't elect free agency, Carrasco will likely return to Gwinnett, where he'll presumably slot back into the rotation.

Freeland (1-2) took the loss Tuesday as the Rockies were downed 7-2 by the Reds, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Making his return from a three-week absence due to shoulder trouble, Freeland got ambushed for three runs in the first inning before settling down, including a two-run shot by Spencer Steer. The veteran southpaw sports a still-respectable 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and he'll look to rebound in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against Atlanta.

Perez (2-1) picked up the win Tuesday against the Tigers, allowing two hits and four walks with five strikeouts across five shutout innings.

Perez's five strikeouts and four walks were both his most in a game this season. The veteran left-hander was tagged for four runs against the Diamondbacks on April 5 but has otherwise held opponents to two runs or fewer in his five other appearances. He kept the Tigers at bay with a heavy dose of changeups, throwing it more than 37 percent of the time Tuesday. Perez has a 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB across 28.1 innings this season. With Spencer Strider (oblique) set for his season debut this week, Perez may head to the bullpen for Atlanta.

Littell (0-4) took the loss Tuesday against the Mets, surrendering eight runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across 3.2 innings.

Littell has now been tagged for eight runs in each of his last three starts and has given up an astonishing 25 earned runs and 13 homers across 28.2 innings this season. Both of those numbers are the most in the league. It's fair to wonder how much longer Washington will trot out the right-hander to make starts. He gave up long balls to Bo Bichette and Juan Soto on Tuesday and now owns a hideous 7.85 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 16:11 K:BB across six appearances. His 9.06 FIP and 7.96 xERA suggest Littell has somehow pitched even worse than his numbers would suggest.

Gallen (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gallen showed up at the ballpark Monday and played catch two days after being removed from his start in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Padres. The right-hander expects to make his next start, which will likely come Friday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Phillips recorded a save against the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing one hit over one scoreless inning. He didn't walk or strike out any batters.

With Pete Fairbanks (hand) landing on the injured list earlier Tuesday, Miami turned to Phillips in the ninth inning while holding a one-run lead. The right-hander got the job done, working around a one-out infield single to prevent Los Angeles from catching up. Phillips blew a save chance one day earlier, but it's hard to blame him for that, as he inherited a one-out, bases-loaded situation after Fairbanks exited with his injury. The Marlins may ultimately opt for a committee approach to closer while Fairbanks is sidelined, but Phillips figures to factor into the mix for save chances during that time, as he's posted a strong 1.47 ERA along with a 1.36 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB with two saves through 18.1 innings spanning 10 appearances this season.

Buehler tossed 4.2 innings against the Cubs on Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision.

Buehler didn't give up a destructive number of runs, but he tossed just 48 of 92 pitches for strikes and was pulled before he could complete five innings. It was the second straight start and fourth time through six outings this season that the veteran righty has been unable to go five frames. Buehler has pitched to a poor 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with a 24:12 K:BB through 25 innings, but he's remained in the injury-plagued Padres rotation. With that said, San Diego signed Lucas Giolito to a contract last week, and Griffin Canning (Achilles) is in the midst of a rehab stint, so it's fair to wonder if Buehler will be able to hold on to his starting spot when those hurlers join the big-league club.

Cabrera (3-0) earned the win over San Diego on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings.

Cabrera nearly notched a quality start, but he was pulled with two outs in the sixth inning, one batter after he gave up a run-scoring single. Nonetheless, the right-hander impressed with a whopping 20 whiffs while setting a season high with seven punchouts. Cabrera has given up exactly three earned runs in four straight starts, and he's completed at least five frames in each of those outings. In his first year with Chicago, Cabrera has proven to be an impactful addition to the rotation, posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB through 35.1 innings while winning three of his six starts without yet taking a loss.