MLB Player News

Ashcraft returned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Ashcraft was one of four players who joined the Reds for their weekend series in Toronto, replacing a group of players who evidently couldn't cross the border into Canada due to their decision not to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19. Ashcraft got the chance to start Sunday and allowed two runs over 4.1 innings during his MLB debut. He'll return to Louisville for now with the team back on the American side of the border.

The Reds reinstated Mahle from the restricted list Monday.

Mahle missed the weekend series in Toronto while on the restricted list, suggesting that he was ineligible to cross the border into Canada by electing not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He wouldn't have pitched during the series even if he was allowed to be in the country, however, as he had just started Thursday in Cleveland. He's expected to return to the mound Tuesday against the Cubs for what could be a two-start week, as he'll be on turn to pitch Sunday against the Giants as well.

Cabrera struck out 11 batters over six innings Friday for Triple-A Jacksonville, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk.

The innings and whiffs were both season highs for the 24-year-old right-hander, and the outing came while Max Meyer (elbow) was on the shelf with ulnar nerve irritation. If the Marlins decide to open a spot in the big-league rotation within the next couple weeks, Cabrera appears to be ready for the assignment.

Strasburg (neck) is expected to need at least three rehab starts before rejoining the Nationals' rotation, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The right-hander will make the first of those starts Tuesday at Single-A Fredericksburg, where he'll have a target workload of four innings and 60 pitches. Manager Dave Martinez indicated Sunday that the team wants Strasburg to comfortably be able to throw at least six innings and 90 pitches before being activated, and given his long layoff after thoracic outlet surgery last summer, it's possible he could need more than three rehab outings to prove to the organization he's ready. Strasburg threw only 26.2 big-league innings over the prior two seasons and still has four years and $140 million remaining on his current contract, so don't expect the Nationals to push him too hard in 2022.

Eflin allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 in seven innings during Sunday's win over the Dodgers. He didn't factor into the decision.

Although Eflin recorded a quality start during Sunday's outing, he was in line for his third straight loss when he exited the matchup. However, the Phillies tied the game in the ninth inning, allowing the right-hander to settle for a no-decision. Eflin now has three quality starts in his last four outings, but he's picked up just one win during that time. He projects to make his next start on the road against the Mets on Friday.

Gonsolin allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings during Sunday's loss to the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gonsolin logged a second consecutive quality start Sunday, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision in the low-scoring matchup. Although he was unable to pick up his fifth win, the right-hander matched his season-high strikeout total and continued his strong start to the season in which he's posted a 1.62 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 39 innings over eight starts. Gonsolin tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Arizona on Friday.

Ashcraft allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Sunday's win over Toronto. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Ashcraft allowed an RBI single to Matt Chapman in the second inning followed by Bo Bichette's RBI groundout in the third. The 24-year-old had started seven games with Triple-A Louisville this season prior to making his MLB debut Sunday. He threw 76 pitches and leaned heavily on a mix of sliders and sinkers, with the latter touching 99 miles per hour. Ashcraft could get another turn in the rotation, as the Reds are dealing with several injured starters.

Anderson (3-3) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Marlins.

The only damage against Anderson through the first five innings was Garrett Cooper's sacrifice fly in the first. He then allowed another run in the sixth and was charged with two more in the seventh without recording an out in the frame. It was the first time that Anderson has allowed more than three runs in an outing since his season debut April 10. The 6-foot-3 righty saw his ERA climb back to 4.07 through 42 frames. Anderson is projected for a rematch at home against Miami next week.

Alcantara (4-2) yielded three unearned runs on six hits and two walks over nine innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over Atlanta.

Alcantara allowed one run in the fifth and two in the ninth but wasn't charged with any earned runs due to errors. He set new season highs with 115 pitches, seven punchouts and 25 swinging strikes. The 26-year-old righty has given up two runs over 24 innings in his last three outings, dropping his season ERA to 2.11 through 59.2 frames. Alcantara will look to keep the momentum rolling in Atlanta next weekend.

Contreras was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras made three relief appearances for the Pirates in April, and he posted a 3.52 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 7.2 innings during that time. However, he's been building up as a starter in Indianapolis, and he's recorded a 2.66 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 20.1 innings over five minor-league starts. The Pirates' rotation is healthy but has had some struggles recently, so it seems likely that Contreras will join the rotation after working as a starter in the minors.