MLB Player News

Brewers manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Houser is slated to start Saturday's game against the Royals at American Family Field, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Milwaukee appears to have selected Houser as its fifth member of the rotation over Colin Rea, who appeared out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Dodgers after starting in each of his prior five outings with the Brewers. Houser had been on the injured list all season with a groin injury before being reinstated last Sunday. In his 2023 debut against the Giants, Houser took a no-decision while striking out five over 4.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on seven hits and one walk. Houser could make for a useful streaming option against a weak Royals offense this weekend, but he'll likely struggle to maintain lasting season-long value outside of NL-only leagues.

Ashcraft (leg) is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Ashcraft's most recent start Sunday against the White Sox came to an end in the second inning when he was struck in the leg by a comebacker, but he didn't suffer any sort of injury that will cause him to miss a turn through the rotation. The second-year righty had maintained a tidy 2.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP through his first six starts of the season before he recorded just five outs against the White Sox while allowing eight earned runs on six hits and two walks.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings during a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out seven.

Aside from a solo home run by Brandon Belt in the fifth, Wheeler was sharp through a season-high seven innings and struck out at least seven batters for the fourth time this year. Belt's long ball was the first allowed by the right-hander since his first start of the season, but Wednesday's performance was still a great bounce-back effort for Wheeler, who got touched up by the Red Sox last time out. Through eight appearances (45 innings), Wheeler sports a 3.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 53:12 K:BB, and he'll look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which tentatively lines up to come during a three-game set in San Francisco early next week.

Kelly didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Marlins, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander tossed 61 of 97 pitches for strikes as he gave Arizona at least six innings for the fifth time in his last six starts, but Kelly exited with the game tied 4-4, giving him no shot at his fourth win. He'll take a 3.18 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB through 45.1 innings into his next outing, likely to come early next week in Oakland.

Cabrera didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up four runs on two hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander was cruising early, blanking Arizona over the first three innings, but Cabrera lost the strike zone in the fourth and walked four of the first five batters he faced before eventually getting the hook after 62 pitches (35 strikes). It's the third time in his last four starts he's issued at least four free passes, and his wavering control continues to hold him back. Despite an impressive 29.9 percent strikeout rate through 35.1 innings, Cabrera's 18.3 percent walk rate has led to a 5.35 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. He'll try to figure things out in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Nationals.

Gray (3-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks over seven innings during an 11-6 victory over the Giants. He struck out three.

Gray allowed two or fewer runs for the sixth time over his first eight starts and completed a season-high seven innings en route to his third win in his past four appearances. Since giving up five earned runs (three home runs) in his first outing of the year, the right-hander has surrendered just 10 runs over 40.2 innings (2.24 ERA). The only concern so far for Gray has been his walks. He's surrendered at least one free pass in all eight of his starts, including multiple walks six times.

Miley (3-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Brewers were routed 8-1 by the Dodgers, surrendering seven runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out three.

The 36-year-old lefty held Los Angeles off the scoreboard for three innings before the wheels came off the fourth, as Freddie Freeman and Will Smith launched back-to-back solo shots to open the scoring. Miley hadn't given up more than three runs or served up more than one homer in any of his six prior starts this season, so for now this can be chalked up to an off afternoon. He'll take a 3.60 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB through 40 innings into his next outing, likely to come early next week in St. Louis.

Kershaw (6-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings in an 8-1 victory over the Brewers. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

Aside from a William Contreras solo shot in the fourth inning, Kershaw was dominant, generating 18 swinging strikes among his 92 pitches. The 35-year-old southpaw is showing he still has plenty left in the tank, posting a 2.36 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 56:10 K:BB through his first 49.2 innings of 2023 with six quality starts in eight outings. He'll look to keep rolling when he next takes the mound, likely at home against the Twins early next week.

Greene (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Greene opened up the game by striking out the side but would only register one more punchout the rest of the way. He was taken yard by Pete Alonso to kick off the second inning and then gave up another run in the fourth after Luis Guillorme doubled and Brandon Nimmo singled him home. The 23-year-old did allow a season-high four walks, and his four strikeouts were his second fewest on the year, but he's given up three runs or fewer in all but one start. Green will carry a 3.69 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB over 39 innings into a road matchup at Coors Field against the Rockies next week.

Verlander (1-1) got the win Wednesday over the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings.

The only damage against Verlander came in the opening frame, as Jonathan India led off with a single and eventually came around to score on a double by Jake Fraley. Verlander quieted the Reds from there, allowing just two other batters to reach via walks. He generated 13 swinging strikes on 104 pitches and was still touching 96 MPH with his fastball in the seventh inning. It was a dominant effort from the 2022 AL Cy Young winner, and he'll take a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across two starts into a favorable matchup against the Nationals next week.