MLB Player News

Contreras allowed an unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in 5.2 innings during Saturday's win over the Diamondbacks. He didn't factor in the decision.

Contreras was excellent through five innings, but a one-out Ketel Marte double, an error and a wild pitch allowed Arizona to get on the board first in the sixth. That left Contreras in line for a loss until Jack Suwinski walked it off for the Pirates with a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth. The 22-year-old right-hander has given up three runs (two earned) in 15.2 innings over his last three starts, which is giving him a strong case to stay in the rotation. He's at a 1.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB through 23.1 innings in six outings (three starts) this year. In the likely event he gets another start, Contreras is in line to make his next appearance on the road in Atlanta next week.

DeGrom (shoulder) threw a 19-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom's bullpen session Saturday was the first time he threw off a mound since spring training, and he threw 19 fastballs at moderate intensity. The right-hander was throwing off flat ground for several weeks, and he'll now shift his focus to ramping up his intensity. While Saturday's bullpen session was a significant step in the right direction for deGrom, he still has several hurdles to clear before he's in the mix to rejoin the Mets' rotation.

Lodolo (back) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Lodolo simulated two innings during Saturday's throwing session with two sets of 15 pitches. After throwing bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday, the left-hander expects to throw live batting practice this week. As long as Lodolo feels good after facing live hitters, he expects to throw two innings during a rehab assignment. The 24-year-old still needs to build up his pitch count prior to rejoining the Reds, but he's made good progress in his recovery recently.

Alexander will start Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Alexander posted a quality start during his major-league debut Wednesday against the Cubs, as he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out three in seven innings. The right-hander will be rewarded with another turn in the major-league rotation, but it's possible that he heads back to the minors following Tuesday's start since Brandon Woodruff (ankle) hopes to return after a minimal IL stint.

Garrett has joined the Marlins as part of their taxi squad and will likely start Sunday's game against the Giants, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Garrett was shut down for a month at Triple-A Jacksonville due to a left shoulder injury, but he returned to action May 21. The southpaw allowed a hit and no walks while striking out three in five scoreless innings against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last Sunday and will likely draw his first major-league start of the season Sunday. Elieser Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday, so Garrett should have a chance to remain in Miami's rotation.

Mikolas (4-3) allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four in five innings, earning the win over the Cubs on Friday.

Mikolas wasn't at his best, but the Cardinals' lively offense propped him up well. He's allowed 16 runs (15 earned) over his last 23.1 innings in four starts after starting the year without allowing more than two runs in any of his first seven outings. Overall, he's at a 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 51:15 K:BB across 65.2 innings. Mikolas is projected for a road start versus the Rays next week.

Gray (6-4) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings against the Reds.

Facing the team that originally drafted him in 2018, Gray turned in arguably his best start of the season so far. He had a recent blowup against another former team -- the Dodgers -- but the 24-year-old right-hander has responded well with two earned runs allowed and 12 strikeouts in his last two starts (11 innings). Gray should be considered a volatile option given the walks and homers. While he can flash brilliance, Gray is still inconsistent.

Brubaker (0-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs (five earned) on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over four-plus innings as the Pirates were downed 8-6 by the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

The right-hander got the hook after allowing four straight hits to begin the fifth inning, with three of those runners coming around to score. Brubaker hadn't allowed an earned run in either of his prior two starts, but his brief hot streak ended quickly and painfully. He'll carry a 4.70 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB through 51.2 innings into his next outing at home versus the Tigers next week.

Miley (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Sunday's throwing session will mark the second time Miley has thrown off a mound since landing on the injured list May 29, signaling that his shoulder strain doesn't seem to be a long-term concern. The southpaw apparently felt good following Thursday's bullpen session, and he'll likely progress to facing live hitters at next week as long as Sunday's bullpen goes smoothly.

Eflin (2-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing five hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings in a 10-0 rout of the Angels. He struck out six.

It was the best performance of the season for the right-hander, who fired 69 of 104 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth quality start of the season. Eflin will take a 3.88 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 51 innings into his next outing, currently projected to be a road start in Milwaukee next week.