MLB Player News

Smyly (5-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Padres, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Smyly was no match for opposing pitcher Yu Darvish, who allowed just three baserunners over seven innings. It was a rather pedestrian effort from Smyly, who came up an out short of a quality start. He's given up 10 runs over his last 15.1 innings with an 11:7 K:BB in that span. The veteran southpaw has a 3.56 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 57 strikeouts over 65.2 innings through 12 starts this season. He'll look to get back on track with a road start versus the Angels next week.

Cobb (5-2) allowed five hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over 7.2 shutout innings to earn the win in Saturday's 4-0 triumph over the Orioles.

Cobb was lit up for seven runs over four innings against the Brewers his last time out, but he responded with his fourth scoreless outing of the season. He's gone at least seven innings in each of those stellar starts. This was also the first time in his last six appearances that he didn't walk a batter. Cobb is at a 2.71 ERA despite a 1.32 WHIP and 64:18 K:BB over 69.2 innings. The right-hander is set to face a tough test in his next start, which is projected to be in Colorado next week.

Grove (0-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and no walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.

The Yankees reached only four times against Grove, but Jake Bauers ensured that no runners were left on base by swatting a pair of two-run homers. Despite the loss, there were some positive takeaways for the right-hander -- he didn't walk any batters for the first time in five outings this season, racked up a career-high seven punchouts and induced 13 swinging strikes, also a career-high mark. Grove was called up to start after a stint on the injured list due to a groin injury, and he took over the rotation spot that had previously been filled by Gavin Stone, who has struggled in the big leagues when given the opportunity this season. Los Angeles' rotation is in a bit of flux right now -- Julio Urias (hamstring) is unlikely to return from the IL until at least next weekend, and Noah Syndergaard has pitched so poorly that the team may need to make a decision about his rotation spot soon -- so there's an opening for Grove to be more than just a temporary replacement if he's able to build upon Saturday's positives in his next start.

Megill did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and five walks over 5.1 innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

Megill struggled with control once again Saturday, setting a season high with five walks while hitting the strike zone on just 58 of his 103 pitches. However, the 27-year-old managed to limit the damage with just a single tally against him. Though Megill owns a 5-3 record, he has stumbled to a 4.40 ERA and 48:32 K:BB through 59.1 innings, and a 5.19 FIP doesn't indicate a major turnaround is on the horizon.

Gomber did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 2.2 innings against the Royals. He struck out four.

Saturday's start marked Gomber's shortest since April 19, and he need 74 pitches to record just eight outs. The left-hander yielded a solo home run to Nick Pratto in the opening frame, marking his 13th long ball allowed on the season. Although Gomber owns an ugly 8.64 ERA in seven home starts (33.1 innings), he has shown mild promise on the road with a 4.63 ERA over five outing (23.1 innings).

Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Wesneski will likely replace Justin Steele (forearm) in the rotation while Steele is on the 15-day injured list, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Ross believes Steele will miss only two turns through the rotation. Wesneski opened the season as a starter for the Cubs, but the right-hander struggled to a 5.03 ERA before being demoted to Triple-A Iowa in mid-May. Wesneski has shown the ability to miss bats, but he'll be a risky fantasy streamer while he's a member of the rotation, and he doesn't look as though he'll be in line for a long-term appointment.

Steele was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 2, with a left forearm strain by the Cubs on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele was removed from Wednesday's start with a "mild" left forearm strain, and it's not a surprise that the southpaw will miss a couple of weeks while he recovers. Miguel Amaya has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Steele's place on the roster. The Cubs will likely make another roster move when Steele's turn in the rotation comes up.

Urias (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Urias also threw a 15-pitch bullpen session last Tuesday and continues to make progress toward a return to the Dodgers' rotation. If all goes according to plan, Urias will face hitters Tuesday before potentially returning against the Phillies next weekend. The 26-year-old lefty landed on the injured list May 20 and gave up 10 runs in 15.2 innings across his last three starts.

Cincinnati transferred Lodolo (leg) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Lodolo remains in a protective walking boot more than two weeks after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left tibia. The move to the 60-day IL means he'll be out until at least mid-July.

Grove (groin) was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

As planned, Grove will get another look out of the Dodgers' starting rotation -- beginning with Saturday's game against the visiting Yankees -- after he missed a little over five weeks because of a right groin strain. The 26-year-old was excellent in his second and final rehab start last weekend with Triple-A Oklahoma City, tallying seven strikeouts with no walks across 5.2 scoreless innings.