MLB Player News

Butto (0-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Butto pitched well in the outing, notching his third quality start of the campaign and racking up 15 swinging strikes. However, he was outshined by impressive rookie Shota Imanaga, who had another dazzling performance with seven scoreless frames. Despite the loss, Wednesday's effort should continue to keep Butto's name on the minds of fantasy managers who are looking to improve their rotation. Though the right-hander doesn't have overpowering stuff, he's impressed so far this season, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB over 28 innings.

Jefferies (0-2) took the loss against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 2.2 innings.

Jefferies was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to make what was initially expected to be a spot start. The Giants instead opted to open the game with lefty Erik Miller on the mound before handing the ball to Jefferies to begin the second inning. Jefferies got out of his first frame unscathed but gave up two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to put himself in line for the loss. The 28-year-old has yielded nine earned runs across 4.2 innings over his two outings this season, and it's not clear if he'll get additional big-league opportunities (either as a traditional starter or primary pitcher) while Blake Snell (thigh) remains on the injured list.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Buehler (elbow) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Marlins in Los Angeles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Monday will mark Buehler's first start on a big-league mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022. He made six starts during his minor-league rehab assignment, posting a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP while striking out 21 batters and walking nine across 21.2 innings. Since he's nearly two years removed from his last big-league start, the 29-year-old right-hander could show a bit of rust in his first few outings as he gets used to facing MLB hitters again.

Hudson (0-5) took the loss against Miami on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

It was a bit of a tough-luck loss for Hudson, as he held the Marlins scoreless until they tagged him for two runs in the fifth inning. The right-hander returned to the mound for the sixth frame and was pulled with two men on base, falling one out shy of a quality start. Despite the loss, this was one of Hudson's better starts this season -- he came in having allowed at least three earned runs in four of his five outings. The veteran hurler is not an attractive fantasy target given his 5.93 ERA and 18:17 K:BB through 30.1 innings on the campaign.

Maldonado earned a save against the Rockies on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

The Marlins went to Maldonado with a three-run ninth-inning lead, and the rookie delivered a perfect frame, needing just 13 pitches to set Colorado down in order. The rookie right-hander was used as a spot starter in his big-league debut last week and in middle relief Monday, and he's yet to give up a run through five innings, so manager Skip Schumaker appears comfortable deploying him in a variety of situations. Team closer Tanner Scott has struggled with his control this season, posting a 12:14 K:BB over 12.2 frames, and he was used in the eighth inning Wednesday, picking up a hold. Scott does have four saves in five chances, though, so there's probably no reason to believe that a changing of the guard for the team's closer role is imminent.

Munoz (1-0) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Munoz was recalled from the minors Wednesday to make the start in place of Jesus Luzardo, who is on the IL with an elbow injury. The right-handed rookie was solid in his MLB debut April 20, allowing two runs with seven punchouts over five frames, and he was even better Wednesday, holding the Rockies scoreless until the sixth inning and picking up both his first career victory and first career quality start. Munoz hasn't fared well in Triple-A this season -- he has an ugly 8.62 ERA and 9:14 K:BB over 15.2 frames -- so his success with the Marlins so far is somewhat surprising. That said, he's certainly pitched well enough to earn another start, though his opportunity to do so may depend on when Braxton Garrett (shoulder) is ready to return to the rotation and/or on whether the Marlins prefer to opt for a bullpen game at some point with the team's next off day not slated until May 9.

Musgrove didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts over six innings against the Reds.

After being tagged for seven runs and four long balls in his last start, Musgrove set a season high in strikeouts and notched his fourth quality start of the campaign. While three of the four hits did go for extra bases, including a first-inning solo homer by Spencer Steer, Musgrove was able to keep his opponent to less than three runs for the first time in four starts. Through eight starts, Musgrove owns a 2.2 HR/9 after having not allowed more than 1.1 HR/9 since 2017. He's tentatively scheduled for a start Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision during Wednesday's 6-2 loss to San Diego, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out four.

Ashcraft's two unearned runs came in the fourth, when a two-out, two-RBI Jurickson Profar single plated Jackson Merrill -- who reached via error -- and Tyler Wade. Even with the mishap, Ashcraft left the game with the score knotted up at two, where it stood until Jake Cronenworth clubbed a grand slam in the seventh. Ashcraft has posted back-to-back quality starts and hasn't taken a loss since April 2. He'll look to extend that quality-start streak to six Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Wheeler (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

Although Wheeler wasn't able to extend his streak of one-hit starts, he delivered another excellent outing. His lone blemish came in the second inning when Ehire Adrianza swatted a two-out solo homer. Wheeler has been one of the best arms in baseball lately, having surrendered one run on seven hits with 22 strikeouts in 18.1 innings across his last three starts. He'll look to keep the ball rolling in a tentative matchup with the Blue Jays next Wednesday.

Imanaga (5-0) tossed seven scoreless innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Mets. He allowed three hits and a walk, while striking out seven.

Imanaga continued the amazing start to his MLB career, as he now has a stellar 0.78 ERA across 34.2 innings to go along with 35 strikeouts. The lefty has allowed zero earned runs in four of his six appearances so far, and the most he's allowed in an outing was the two earned runs he gave up back on April 20. While it seems unlikely that Imanaga will be able to keep up this incredible pace, it does look like he's already cemented himself as a fantasy star this season. He'll look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Tuesday against the Padres.