MLB Player News

Wacha (6-2) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings against the Mariners. He struck out seven.

Wacha is now 4-1 with a sparkling 1.05 ERA over his last seven starts. Following a rocky April, his ERA is down to 3.18 with a 1.09 WHIP and 64:20 K:BB through 12 starts (68 innings) this season. The 31-year-old Wacha has excelled at limiting solid contact so far this year -- his 31 percent hard-hit rate ranks in the 88th percentile among qualified pitchers. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Guardians in his next outing.

Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday that Steele (forearm) is on track to return June 17 against the Orioles, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

That is the exact date that Steele will first become eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list. He was diagnosed late last week with a left forearm strain, but it's considered relatively minor and he is set to throw a "touch-and-feel" side session Thursday, per Ross. The 27-year-old southpaw had worked to a sharp 2.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB through 12 starts (68 innings) prior to the IL stint.

Wheeler and the Phillies won't face the Tigers on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to poor air quality in Philadelphia, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

With the Canadian wildfires creating hazardous air in many parts of the northeastern United States, Wednesday's game will be postponed to Thursday at 6:05 p.m. ET, in the hope that playing conditions will be more favorable in 24 hours. As a result of the postponement, Wheeler will likely just be bumped back one day in the schedule and start Thursday.

Contreras (3-5) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks over one-third of an inning against the Athletics. He struck out one.

The first seven A's all reached base safely before Contreras could record an out. The 23-year-old righty would depart after surrendering the sixth hit of the inning before Rob Zastryzny walked in two more runs. Contreras has now allowed 12 earned runs over just 4.1 innings in his last two outings. His ERA is up to 5.91 with a 1.54 WHIP and 43:25 K:BB through 11 starts (56.1 innings) this season.

Liberatore (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Rangers after allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings.

Liberatore started out with a clean opening frame but then proceeded to allow a run apiece in the second and third, and three more in the fourth before his day was over. The 23-year-old has racked up just five strikeouts over his last 10 innings after he had six strikeouts over five innings during his 2023 debut on May 17. Even with his recent struggles, the expectation is that Liberatore will remain in the rotation as the team gauges his readiness for the MLB level after moving Steven Matz to the bullpen. He now stands at a 6.00 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB over 15 innings. His next chance to right the ship should come next week against the Giants.

Peralta allowed two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out nine over five innings of work Tuesday against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

The only damage against Peralta was done on a second-inning, two-run homer by Aaron Hicks. Overall, he had one of his better performances in a while. He generated 20 whiffs, and his nine strikeouts were his highest total since he had 10 on May 2. He also did not give out any free passes for just the second time this year. Peralta has given up a home run in five straight starts and has surrendered 11 total on the season, which is something that has not been an issue for him over the duration of his career. The 27-year-old now owns a 4.55 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 70:25 K:BB across 65.1 innings this season.

Gonsolin did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Reds, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings.

The Reds got to Gonsolin for three runs in the opening frame on three singles, a walk and a hit batsman. Gonsolin settled in thereafter, pitching three scoreless innings before the Reds tacked on an additional run in the fifth on a throwing error. He departed with a four-run lead, which wound up being blown by the Dodgers' bullpen. The 29-year-old has a 2.21 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across eight starts thus far, though he owns a subpar 30:16 K:BB over 40.2 innings and his 4.48 FIP suggests there's been some luck on his side. Still, he's allowed three earned runs or fewer in every start this year. He'll line up to take the mound again next week in a home matchup against the White Sox.

Elder (4-0) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over six innings as Atlanta downed the Mets 6-4. He struck out eight.

A pair of two-run homers in the third inning by Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso accounted for all the Mets' offense, but Elder settled down after that and gave his team a chance to come back. The eight Ks were a season high for the 24-year-old righty, and Elder will take a sharp 2.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 64:21 K:BB through 71.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come at home this weekend against the Nationals.

Carrasco didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to Atlanta, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out four.

The veteran righty seemed to be in control through five innings as the Mets held a 4-1 lead, but things unraveled quickly for Carrasco in the sixth after a leadoff walk was followed by back-to-back doubles. He exited after 86 pitches (52 strikes), ending his brief two-game streak of wins and quality starts. Carrasco will carry a 5.94 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB through 36.1 innings into his next outing, which is likely to come this weekend in Pittsburgh.

Musgrove allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out eight over five innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Tuesday.

Musgrove had a solid outing, but the Mariners were able to work some long counts against him. The right-hander needed 102 pitches (68 strikes) to complete five innings. He's allowed just three runs (two earned) over 17.1 innings across his last three starts, and his eight strikeouts Tuesday were a season high. Musgrove's now at a 4.35 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 42:13 K:BB through 41.1 innings through eight starts overall. He's lined up for a home start versus the Guardians next week.