MLB Player News

Lowder (3-5) took the loss against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Lowder allowed three runs on two homers in the third inning but was otherwise able to keep the Brewers in check, generating 13 whiffs on 100 pitches and departing one out shy of a quality start. While the 24-year-old has lost back-to-back decisions, he's posted a solid 3.66 ERA through four outings since returning from the injured list June 7. He owns a 4.81 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 48:29 K:BB across 58 innings this season and lines up for a road rematch with the Brewers next week.

Imanaga (5-6) earned the win Wednesday against the Mets, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

All four runs Imanaga allowed came via the long ball, as Francisco Alvarez, A.J. Ewing and Mark Vientos each took the left-hander deep. Wednesday continued a troubling trend in which he has surrendered three or more home runs in four of his last six starts. Fortunately for Imanaga, Chicago's offense provided plenty of run support, allowing him to pick up his first victory since May 7. Entering Wednesday, the 32-year-old had posted a 6.64 ERA in his previous seven starts, losing four of them. He'll carry a 4.40 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 88:23 K:BB into his next scheduled outing, which is expected to come during a series against the Padres next week.

Freeland took a no-decision Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing six runs on 11 hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out four.

Freeland was hit hard Wednesday, giving up a staggering eight extra-base hits (two home runs). The 33-year-old southpaw has been knocked around for double-digit hits three times already this year, and he's now surrendered at least six runs on six occasions as well. Freeland has a disastrous 7.50 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 61:17 K:BB across 72 innings, making him an unappealing fantasy option for his next scheduled start at home versus the Marlins.

Nola did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Nola's night got off to a shaky start, as he gave up two runs on a pair of solo homers in the first two innings. However, he'd settle in and hold Washington scoreless over his final three frames before the Phillies rallied late in a one-run victory. While Nola's pitched better of late, allowing four runs over 10 innings in his last two starts, he's failed to make it through six innings in any of his last five outings. Overall, his ERA sits at 5.58 with a 1.45 WHIP and 82:27 K:BB across 80.2 innings. Nola is tentatively lined up to face the Pirates at home in his next start.

Ashcraft (7-3) earned the win Wednesday over the Mariners, allowing a run on five hits over six innings. He struck out 10.

After allowing a run on three straight singles to open the first inning, Ashcraft settled in and held Seattle to just two additional hits over his final five frames en route to his seventh victory this season. The 26-year-old Ashcraft has held opponents to two runs or fewer while going at least six frames in seven of his last 10 outings. His ERA is down to 3.07 through 16 starts (96.2 innings) with a 1.09 WHIP and 107:22 K:BB. Ashcraft is currently in line for a tough road matchup with the Phillies his next time out.

Sears will start Wednesday's game against Atlanta at Petco Park.

After being recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Sears will step into the rotation spot vacated by the injured Lucas Giolito (elbow). The 30-year-old lefty made 27 starts at the big-league level between the Athletics and Padres in 2025, but he's pitched exclusively in the minors thus far in 2026. Over his 14 starts in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Sears has submitted a 7.92 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 62:28 K:BB across 63.2 innings.

McLean (4-5) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cubs, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

The Ks offered a silver lining for McLean's fantasy managers, but it was still a rough outing for the 24-year-old righty, who served up long balls to Michael Busch in the fifth inning and Dansby Swanson in the sixth. The homers were the first off McLean since May 25, snapping a four-start stretch in which he produced a 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB over 22 innings while keeping the ball in the yard. He'll look to shake this one off in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Toronto.

Perez didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after recovering from a thigh injury that had sidelined him since May 27, Perez was limited to 68 pitches (44 strikes) and fell one out short of qualifying for the victory. The 23-year-old right-hander carries a 4.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 73:28 K:BB through 67.1 innings on the season, but he's given up one earned run or fewer in his last three trips to the mound and could be poised for a monster second half if he can stay healthy. Perez should get stretched out to a more normal workload in his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Colorado.

The Giants reinstated Mahle (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Wednesday against the Athletics in San Francisco.

Before being shelved May 29 due to a left hamstring strain, the 31-year-old posted a 6.04 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 57:24 K:BB in 56.2 innings. Tristan Beck was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room on the active roster for Mahle, who could be operating with a workload restriction in his return to the rotation after covering three innings and tossing 63 pitches in his lone rehab start with Sacramento last week.

The Brewers are expected to activate Koenig (elbow) from the 15-day injured list at some point during their weekend series with the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Koenig has been on the shelf since April 6 while recovering from an UCL sprain, but he's been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville since late May. He's been particularly effective over his last three appearances, turning in a 6:1 K:BB while giving up one run in 2.1 innings. His impending return from the IL will give the Brewers another left-handed option out of the bullpen.