MLB Player News

Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out two over five innings to earn the win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Rea had worked in long relief for his first two outings of the season, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. The right-hander has started at least 22 games in three straight seasons, so it shouldn't take him long to adjust, though it's unclear if he'll be the Cubs' long-term solution at the back of the rotation. He threw 51 of 79 pitches for strikes in this outing. Rea doesn't have great strikeout rates in his career, though he has a 10:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings so far this season. Assuming he remains in the rotation for another turn, he's tentatively lined up for a tough road start versus the Phillies.

Thompson has not been assigned to a minor-league affiliate as he recovers from a hamstring strain, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

He suffered the injury in spring training and should join High-A Wisconsin around the start of May. Thompson was a polished left-handed starter in the SEC, and there's a chance the Brewers might be able to improve his stuff with pro instruction.

Mikolas (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in three innings. He struck out three.

Facing his former club, Mikolas didn't last very long to add to his woes in the early going. The veteran right-hander had coughed up a staggering 15 runs across his first 9.1 innings prior to Wednesday, and the Nationals decided that they'd seen enough following just 55 pitches from Mikolas on Wednesday. A relatively manageable assignment against the Pirates awaits Mikolas for his next start, but his 12.41 ERA, 2.35 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB make him a fantasy option to avoid until he gains some form of traction.

Mahle took a no-decision Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Mahle scattered three singles in what was an impressive bounce-back start versus a potent Philadelphia lineup. The right-hander had given up seven runs over his first nine innings before Wednesday's performance, though the Phillies did make the hurler work while drawing four walks on the afternoon. Mahle's 4.30 ERA through 14.2 innings still has room for improvement, and he'll also carry a shaky 1.57 WHIP into an unfavorable setting his next out at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park versus the Reds.

Nola (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Giants, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out three.

After keeping the Rockies quiet for just one run in his last start, Nola was hit a bit harder Wednesday. The right-hander had been cruising through five shutout frames but was ultimately tagged for three extra-base hits, and most of the damage to his ledger came courtesy of a three-run homer by Rafael Devers in the sixth inning. Nola has a quality 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB through 17.1 frames, which he'll be looking to build on in next week's scheduled outing against the Cubs.

Single-A Daytona placed Holman (elbow) on the 60-day injured list March 17, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.

Holman had Tommy John surgery early in the 2025 season and will miss at least the first two months of 2026. The 6-foot-4 righty has thrown nine pro innings since getting drafted with the 71st overall pick in 2024.

Lorenzen (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Astros, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

It was certainly a step in the right direction for Lorenzen, as he held Houston to a lone second-inning run after giving up 12 runs in just 7.1 innings across his previous two outings. Lorenzen's ERA now sits at an even 9.00 with a 2.31 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB this season, so he's still got a long way to go to even out those figures. He's tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Astros on the road in his next outing.

Drohan (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks over 2.2 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

It was the first outing of Drohan's MLB career after being called up from Triple-A Nashville on Monday, and he struggled with his command versus his former organization. The left-hander kept Boston off the board through two frames but couldn't complete the third, throwing just 28 of 63 total pitches for strikes. The Brewers needed an extra starter this week coming off a weekend doubleheader, so Drohan likely won't get another turn through the rotation, especially with team off days coming Thursday and Monday.

Keller didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Padres, allowing three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander was masterful over 75 pitches (49 strikes), but manager Don Kelly elected to lift Keller to begin the seventh inning in a scoreless tie and watched his bullpen immediately implode. Keller has begun the season with three straight quality starts but has won only one of them, delivering a 1.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through 18 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home early next week against the Nationals.

King (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over six-plus innings in an 8-2 victory over the Pirates. He struck out four.

The right-hander found himself locked in a duel with Mitch Keller through six innings, but the Padres broke out for four runs in the top of the seventh. King then put the first two batters in the bottom of the frame aboard before getting the hook after 95 pitches (57 strikes) and watched both come around to score after he left the mound. The quality start was King's first of the year in addition to the win, and he'll take a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB through 16.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.