MLB Player News

Buehler (7-1) took the loss in Thursday's 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts over six innings.

Buehler and Chicago starter Zach Davies were engaged in a tight pitchers' duel until the former allowed a Willson Contreras two-run homer in the sixth to go down 3-0. Buehler still pitched well enough to earn a quality start but that would be far from enough as Los Angeles was no-hit by the Chicago staff. The loss was his first since 2019 and snaps a 23-start stretch without a defeat for the 26-year-old right hander.

Davies (5-4) won Thursday's 4-0 game against the Dodgers, throwing six innings and allowing only five walks. He struck out four.

Davies pitched the first six innings of what was a combined no-hitter for Chicago against a formidable Los Angeles roster. The five walks are a season high and all of them came in the first four innings, but Davies ended strong by retiring nine straight Dodgers. It was an excellent rebound from his previous start against Miami, and he'll look to carry the momentum forward next week in Milwaukee.

Martinez (3-9) lost Thursday's 8-2 defeat at the hands of Pittsburgh, allowing five runs on five hits and seven walks with two strikeouts in five innings.

Martinez didn't have any control in this one as he threw only 48 of 87 pitches for strikes and walked a season-high seven batters, though only one came around to score. The majority of the damage came on Bryan Reynolds' three-run home run in the fourth inning, as Martinez was able to escape jams in the first and third frames relatively unscathed. Since lowering his ERA to 4.18 on May 21, Martinez has seen the mark balloon to 6.78 in the ensuing six starts.

Williams (abdomen) threw a bullpen session Thursday and could rejoin the team soon.

Williams threw a simulated inning Tuesday and ramped up his activity two days later. Manager David Ross said he wants to build up the righty's innings before he rejoins the team, but that could happen in the next few days. Williams could bump Alec Mills to the bullpen when he returns, though the Cubs may stay somewhat fluid with the No. 5 spot in their rotation to manage workloads this season.

Steele (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele has been sidelined since May 21 with the injury and is set for his first game action since. It's unclear how long he'll need to ramp back up, but he should be activated by late June or early July assuming he has no setbacks.

Worley's contract was purchased from independent Kane County on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Worley was released by the Mets in June of 2018, but he'll now report to Triple-A Syracuse after he began the 2021 campaign in independent ball. The 33-year-old will serve as organizational depth going forward but could return to the majors at some point this year.

Wright was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was hit hard in Wednesday's loss to the Mets, as he gave up five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one in two innings. Max Fried (finger) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list next week, so Wright will head back to the minors. Right-hander Jesse Chavez's contract was selected as part of a corresponding move.

Fried (finger) should return from the 10-day injured list Wednesday against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Fried has been on the 10-day injured list since June 19 due to a blister on his left index finger, but he could return to the mound when he's first eligible Wednesday. The southpaw put up quality starts in each of his three outings prior to his absence, and he posted. 2.37 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 19 innings during that time.

Ashcraft was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga this week, and he took a perfect game into the seventh inning in his debut there to extend his scoreless innings streak to 33 in a complete game shutout, MiLB.com reports.

Ashcraft has a combined 1.89 ERA between High-A and Double-A so far, with 63 strikeouts in 47.2 innings. He was a sixth-round pick out of UAB in 2019, but he didn't see the field in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Gray (groin) will now make his rehab start Saturday after he woke up with a stiff back Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gray was expected to begin his rehab assignment Thursday, but he'll wait a few more days as a precautionary measure. His back stiffness doesn't sound like a significant concern, so the right-hander should be able to get back on track assuming he's able to take the mound Saturday. However, Gray's minor setback could push back his potential return to major-league game action by a few days, so Tony Santillan could get another turn through the rotation.