MLB Player News

Ashcraft (6-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Wednesday.

Ashcraft had his best start of June in this outing, throwing 58 of 93 pitches for strikes while issuing his most free passes since late April. This was his ninth quality start in 15 games this season. He has a 3.18 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 97:22 K:BB through 90.2 innings on the year. Ashcraft has largely taken care of business in easy matchups, giving him a reliable floor in fantasy. His next start is projected to come at home versus the Mariners.

Sullivan (0-1) allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings to take the loss versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Sullivan threw 56 of 82 pitches for strikes, but the Cubs had no trouble getting to him. The southpaw threw three scoreless innings against the Athletics last week before his major-league debut was cut short by an illness. Sullivan pitched to a 5.76 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 50:10 K:BB over 54.2 innings with Triple-A Albuquerque prior to his call-up, and given his tough home park, he's a risky option at best in fantasy. If Tanner Gordon (hip) remains out next week, Sullivan is tentatively projected to make a home start versus the Red Sox.

Ritchie (1-2) was tagged with the loss Wednesday in the 7-5 defeat to the Giants after he allowed five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four in five innings.

Ritchie was tagged for five runs early as he gave up three home runs in the first two innings Wednesday. This was Ritchie's first start since being recalled from the minors last week. The 22-year-old was also a bit wild in the game, throwing strikes on only 54 of his 90 pitches and issuing at least three free passes for a fourth time in seven MLB outings. Spencer Strider's (elbow) presence on the injured list should allow Ritchie to pick up another start next week in San Diego.

Manager Pat Murphy said after Wednesday's win over Cleveland that Sproat's hamstring cramps are minor and won't impact his next scheduled start, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sproat's hamstring began to give him trouble during the fourth inning of Wednesday's contest, forcing him out of the game after he'd given up four earned runs in 3.2 innings. He won't have to worry about missing any additional starts, however, which puts him on track to take the mound next week on the road against the Reds.

Rodriguez (6-2) notched the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing one run on six hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out five.

After serving up a solo home run to Zach Neto in the opening frame, Rodriguez got himself locked in on the mound en route to tallying the 100th win of his career. The 33-year-old left-hander went on to spin six scoreless innings thereafter, and he's now fired at least six frames while yielding two runs or fewer four times in his past six starts. Rodriguez, who sports a career-best 2.45 ERA to go with a 1.23 WHIP and 65:35 K:BB over 88.1 innings, will be looking to continue his resurgent campaign in St. Louis his next time out.

Sproat was removed from Wednesday's game against the Guardians due to right hamstring cramps, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sproat pitched three perfect innings Wednesday before giving up a grand slam in the fourth and was noticeably wincing on the mound a few batters later. It's unclear whether the injury puts him at risk of missing his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come next week in Cincinnati -- but the Brewers could provide more details after the game.

Leahy (5-4) took the loss against the Padres on Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings.

Leahy allowed a run in three separate innings but pitched well overall, throwing 57 of 81 pitches for strikes while generating an impressive 11 whiffs. It also matched a season-high workload for the 29-year-old, who tossed six frames in his only other quality start May 16. He owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 59:26 K:BB across 70 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup against the Diamondbacks next week.

Alcantara (7-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 12-4 romp over the Phillies, giving up four runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

The veteran righty got tagged for two runs in each of the first two innings, with two errors and a balk contributing to the damage in the second frame, but Alcantara kept his focus and shut the door the rest of the way while while getting backed by 13 hits and five homers from Miami's bats. The quality start was Alcantara's 11th of the season and fourth straight, a stretch in which he's posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB over 28 innings while winning all four outings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home early next week against the Rangers.

The Phillies optioned Painter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following his start against the Marlins on Wednesday.

Painter was lit up for six earned runs on six hits and two walks while he struck out three batters in just two innings Wednesday. It's the third start in a row that he's allowed five or more runs, so the Phillies will send him back to the minors to get back on track. A corresponding move will be made ahead of Thursday's game to presumably add more depth to Philadelphia's bullpen while the team determines who will claim the open rotation spot.

Littell (6-6) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings as the Nationals were downed 6-2 by the Royals. He struck out two.

All four runs came on solo shots by Carter Jensen, John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey, not exactly a fearsome array of sluggers. It's the first time since April 28 that Littell has served up multiple homers in an outing, but after a five-start win streak he's dropped two straight decisions, getting tagged for nine runs in 6.2 innings during the sudden downturn. Littell will carry a 5.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB through 71 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Phillies.