MLB Player News

Steele was removed from his start Wednesday versus the Rays due to an apparent injury, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele received a visit on the mound from Cubs manager David Ross and trainer Nick Frangella in the top of the third inning and didn't return from the dugout to begin the top of the fourth. He had thrown three perfect frames on 29 pitches -- 19 strikes -- so his departure was almost certainly related to an injury or an illness. Expect the Cubs to provide an update on Steele's situation shortly.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Wednesday that Grove (groin) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday versus the Yankees in Los Angeles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He'll be taking the rotation spot of Gavin Stone, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Grove has been on the shelf since April 21 with a right groin strain, but he's looked sharp over his two rehab starts with Oklahoma City. In his most recent outing for the Triple-A club this past Saturday, Grove struck out seven and issued no walks over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Contreras will start for the Pirates on Friday against the Cardinals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Contreras made one relief appearance Sunday in Seattle, but with Vince Velasquez (elbow) back on the injured list he will re-enter the rotation. The right-hander holds a 4.50 ERA and just a 16.4 percent strikeout rate in his nine starts this season.

Soroka is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Arizona, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

After getting a call-up from Triple-A Gwinnett, Soroka stepped into the Atlanta rotation Monday for his first MLB start since Aug. 3, 2020. The right-hander gave Atlanta six innings in his outing against the Athletics, but he ended up taking a loss after giving up four runs on five hits and two walks. Despite the so-so showing against a poor offense, Soroka will get another turn through the rotation while Atlanta contends with multiple injuries to starting pitchers.

Gallen (7-2) shut out the Rockies over six innings to earn his seventh win of the season Tuesday. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Gallen shut out his opponent for the fifth time this year and his first time since April 26, though he's still looking for his first complete game. He recorded 21 chases, and his seven strikeouts were tied for his highest mark this month. The 30-year-old has been absolutely dominant at home so far this season, recording a perfect 6-0 record with just three runs allowed, a .158 opponent average and 54 strikeouts in six starts. For the year, he owns a sparkling 2.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and an 82:16 K:BB over 72.2 innings. He's expected to end the week with a tough test against Atlanta, though it will be another home start.

Freeland (4-6) took the loss Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out a single batter over 5.2 innings.

Freeland surrendered two first-inning homers and another in the sixth, which accounted for four of the five runs allowed. The 30-year-old had given up just one home run in five starts this month coming into Tuesday despite three of those starts taking place at Coors Field, and he has now allowed at least five runs in two of his last three outings. His ERA has shot up to a 4.22 to go with a 1.31 WHIP and 43:17 K:BB over 64 innings. Freeland is tentatively scheduled to take the mound again over the weekend against the Royals.

Lively (3-2) picked up the win in Tuesday's 9-8 victory over the Red Sox, allowing four hits and two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

He got the hook one out short of his second straight quality start, and the Reds bullpen nearly cost him his second straight win, but Lively was outstanding when he was on the mound and generated 26 called or swinging strikes among his 87 pitches. Over his last three outings, the 31-year-old has a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB through 17.1 innings. Lively will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come at home this weekend against the Brewers.

Irvin (1-3) took the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings.

Irvin contained his struggles to the second and third innings, but the damage was too much for the Nationals to overcome. He's lost three of his last four outings, and this was just the second time in six starts Irvin's been able to finish five frames. He's at a 5.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 22:17 K:BB through 27 innings. With a 5.7 BB/9 and four home runs surrendered in his last three appearances, there's not much to like with the right-hander. He's projected for a home start versus the Diamondbacks in his next outing.

Gonsolin (3-1) allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings to earn the win over the Nationals on Tuesday.

Gonsolin needed just 70 pitches (44 strikes) to complete six frames. This was his second quality start in seven outings this season -- he's yet to allow more than three runs in any of them, but he's had some difficulty pitching deep into games. The results are there, as Gonsolin owns a 1.77 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB through 35.2 innings this season. He's lined up to make his next start on the road in Cincinnati.

Oviedo allowed a run on three hits and five walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings Tuesday in a no-decision versus the Giants.

Oviedo's lack of command led to him needing 92 pitches (53 strikes) to get 13 outs. It also played a part in him falling short of qualifying for the win. This is the eighth straight outing in which he's walked multiple batters, and the second time he's issued five free passes in a start. The right-hander owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 53:30 K:BB over 58 innings through 11 starts this season. Oviedo is projected for a favorable home start versus the Athletics next week.