MLB Player News

Falter allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings in bulk relief in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Falter came into the contest having started in 11 of his 13 appearances on the season, but Pittsburgh elected to use him behind an opener Saturday. The southpaw fared well in that role, giving up a solo homer to Lars Nootbaar in the fifth frame but otherwise keeping St. Louis off the scoreboard. The long ball was the only hit Falter allowed in 3.2 frames, but he was still pulled after a modest 43 pitches despite going at least 4.2 innings in each of his previous three outings. It's unclear if Falter will continue to work as a primary pitcher or move back to a traditional starting role moving forward.

Elder allowed a run on five hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Saturday.

Elder was able to secure his second quality start in six outings since the start of August despite not having his best command Saturday. The four walks matched his season high, and he's failed to record more than five strikeouts in a start since June 22. The 24-year-old is at a 3.42 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 111:53 K:BB through 155.1 innings across 27 starts. Elder is tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Pirates next week.

Sheehan allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over four innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Saturday.

Sheehan limited the damage to a Ronald Acuna solo home run in the third inning. This was Sheehan's first major-league action since Aug. 3, but it's unclear if he'll remain in the rotation going forward. The right-hander has a 5.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB through 42.1 innings over nine outings (eight starts) in the majors this year. If the rookie starts again, it would likely be a road date against the Nationals next weekend.

Snell (12-9) allowed three hits and four walks while striking out eight over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.

Snell has walked multiple batters in 13 straight starts, but he hasn't given up more than three runs in any of them. In eight of those starts, he's walked four or more batters. The southpaw's 5.2 BB/9 is tied for the worst of his career with that of his rookie season, but he's still managed to generate a major-league-best 2.50 ERA. He's also at 201 strikeouts through 155 innings, which makes this Snell's second 200-strikeout campaign. He's projected to make his next start in Houston.

Harrison (1-1) allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Padres.

Harrison yielded three solo shots over the first two innings and then a three-run home run to Garrett Cooper in the sixth. Harrison has had mixed results through his first three starts, posting a 4.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings. Considering he gave up just 10 home runs over 65.2 innings with Triple-A Sacramento in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Saturday's outing seems like an anomaly. The southpaw is tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

Williams (6-9) took the loss Saturday, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits over four innings against Miami. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

It was a rough afternoon for Williams, as the right-hander allowed season highs in hits (12), earned runs (eight) and homers (four). He surrendered runs in all four innings in which he appeared and failed to make it through five frames for the fourth time in his last six outings. Williams has now lost five of his last six decisions (spanning 10 starts) and has given up at least three home runs in three of his last five starts.

Cueto (1-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Cueto allowed one run through the first four innings before surrendering solo homers in the fifth and sixth. However, by that point, Miami had already backed the veteran right-hander with plenty of run support in his first start since returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list due to an illness, helping him seal his first win of the 2023 campaign. Cueto still has not allowed more than four runs in any start this season, though he's now given up at least three runs in five straight. He's also surrendered two home runs in three consecutive outings and in four of his last five.

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a stress reaction in his right big toe.

Ashcraft pitched five innings Friday against the Cubs before leaving the game to get an MRI on his toe. He'll now officially miss multiple turns through the rotation and be replaced on the roster by Chasen Shreve, who was selected from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

Wainwright won't start Sunday against the Pirates, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Wainwright reportedly needs a few extra days to recover after his last start Monday against the Padres. Zack Thompson will take Wainwright's place Sunday as the rotation moves up a day, and Wainwright's next start will come Thursday against Atlanta.

Williamson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list and won't start as scheduled Sunday against the Cubs, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson joins Hunter Greene, Ben Lively and Fernando Cruz as Reds pitchers on the COVID list. No replacement starter has been named for Sunday, but Connor Phillips, Michael Mariot and Levi Stoudt are potential options to be called up from Triple-A Louisville.