MLB Player News

Lucchesi (elbow) said Friday that he'll advance to facing hitters soon, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Lucchesi has spent the season recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last year. He's with the Mets in Miami this weekend and is scheduled to throw his 10th bullpen session Saturday. The southpaw has been pleased with his progress so far and is hoping to return from the injured list in early or mid-August.

Eickhoff was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Friday.

Eickhoff's contract was selected ahead of his season debut Wednesday, but he could hardly have done a worse job in his audition to stick around on a more permanent basis. In 4.1 innings against the Cubs, he allowed 10 runs on 10 hits. It's unlikely there will be much of a market for Eickhoff's services on the waiver wire considering that he's a 31-year-old who owns a 7.19 ERA since the start of the 2018 season. Austin Brice was called up to take his place on the roster.

Alexander (2-1) secured the win against St. Louis on Thursday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five.

Alexander gave up a pair of first-inning runs but settled down thereafter to allow only two more runs the rest of the way. The right-hander registered a mere five swinging strikes but nonetheless managed a career-high five punchouts. Alexander's lack of strikeout upside limits his fantasy value, but he has thus far registered a solid 3.21 ERA through 28 major-league innings while picking up two straight wins. His 1.64 WHIP and 3.5 BB/9 provide reason to temper expectations, however.

Garrett allowed two runs (one earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven across 4.2 innings Thursday against the Rockies. He did not factor into the decision.

Garrett allowed multiple hits in all but one of his five innings, but he managed to work out of danger on most occasions. He flashed interesting swing-and-miss stuff, backing his seven punchouts with 16 swinging strikes across 94 total pitches. Garrett has recorded at least five strikeouts in three of his four starts in the majors this season, and he has a 4.08 ERA across 17.2 frames.

Quintana completed six innings against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.

Quintana gave up a pair of runs in the third inning, but he otherwise kept Chicago off the scoreboard and exited after six frames with a lead. However, the Pirates' bullpen collapsed late in the game, resulting in a no-decision for the veteran hurler. Quintana racked up 16 swinging strikes in the performance, and his six strikeouts were the second-most he has registered in a game this season. This was his first quality start since May 15. Though he is stuck on just one win this season, Quintana has posted a respectable 3.60 ERA along with a 1.31 WHIP over 70 innings.

Musgrove (8-1) took his first loss of the season Thursday versus the Phillies. He allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk with one strikeout in six innings.

Musgrove was cruising through five frames with just one run, two hits and a walk allowed. The sixth was a different story, and home runs by Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto were enough to send Musgrove to the loss in his first game back from the COVID-19 injured list. The right-hander had not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his previous starts, and he still has a stellar 2.12 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and 82:18 K:BB in 85 innings overall. He'll look to get back on his regular schedule leading into next week's projected start versus the Dodgers.

Eflin (knee) will start Saturday against the Padres, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eflin was questionable for the start after he was limited to two innings Sunday against the Nationals due to a knee issue. However, he did significant pregame work Wednesday and Thursday and is comfortable enough to take the mound. Interim manager Rob Thompson stated that Eflin would not have any restrictions in San Diego.

Suarez (6-4) earned the win Thursday over the Padres. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 7.1 innings.

Suarez threw 61 of 94 pitches for strikes and limited the damage to an Eric Hosmer solo home run in the second inning and a Jorge Alfaro RBI groundout in the eighth. This was Suarez's longest outing of the season, and the sixth time in 14 starts he's limited the opponent to two or fewer runs. For the year, he's posted a 4.23 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 57:31 K:BB across 72.1 innings. A 4.3 BB/9 has held him back in 2022 -- he had a 2.8 BB/9 in 106 innings last year, though he split time between the rotation and the bullpen. He's projected for a home start versus Atlanta next week.

Freeland allowed two earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five across seven innings Thursday against the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.

Freeland allowed two earned runs through the first three innings but settled in from there to deliver his third quality start in his last four outings. His five strikeouts were his highest mark in his last four turns through the rotation, and he tallied 14 swinging strikes across 107 total pitches Thursday. Thanks to his recent stretch, Freeland has lowered his ERA to 4.29 on the season, though he has a mediocre 53:23 K:BB across 79.2 frames.

Woodruff (hand) threw 74 pitches and allowed one run across five innings in a rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

After the game, Woodruff stated, "I'm fully ready to go. I'm not sure where they're [the Brewers] are going to try to line me up but hopefully the next series. Fully ready." Woodruff has been sidelined since May 30 and will have missed nearly a full month of action. While the team hasn't made its plans for Woodruff official, he'll likely start at some point during the team's upcoming series against the Rays, which begins Tuesday.