MLB Player News

Littell (3-4) earned the win Wednesday against the Mets, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Following an abysmal start to the season, Littell is finally starting to find a rhythm on the mound. The 30-year-old right-hander served up a whopping 13 home runs across his first 28.2 innings of the year, but he's given up just two long balls over his last 17.2 frames in May en route to posting a 2.55 ERA and 0.96 WHIP during that span. Littell will be looking to further improve on a 5.83 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB through 10 starts (46.1 innings) in his next scheduled outing versus Cleveland.

Thornton (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against Washington, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Making his first career major-league start, Thornton struggled across the board Wednesday. The Nationals ambushed the southpaw for three runs in the first inning, but Thornton was at least able to settle down a bit afterward and hold Washington to one run across his next 3.1 frames. He's next tentatively set to take the ball against the Reds for the next turn through the rotation, but it remains to be seen if the Mets will call up Jonah Tong to fill that slot.

Sale (7-3) earned the win Wednesday against Miami, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.

The All-Star southpaw found himself in peak form again Wednesday, generating 18 whiffs en route to fanning at least seven for a sixth consecutive start. Sale has now spun at least six frames while yielding one or no earned runs in eight of his 10 outings on the year. He'll take a career-best 1.89 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 72:14 K:BB over 62 innings into his next appearance, which tentatively lines up to come in Boston against the Red Sox.

White (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

White was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday with the Jumbo Shrimp, and although it initially seemed like an indication that he was on his way to the big leagues, he'll instead spend at least a week on the IL due to an unspecified injury. The 21-year-old top prospect has a 4.34 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through five starts at Jacksonville this season, and although he isn't ready for his MLB debut just yet, there's still a chance he gets called up later in the year.

Freeland tossed 4.2 innings in Wednesday's 5-4 loss against the Rangers, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while taking a no-decision. He struck out five.

Freeland could not make it through five innings Wednesday and has not made it past the fifth frame in any of his past five starts. All of the damage from Texas came during the fourth inning, when Ezequiel Duran and Jake Burger launched back-to-back long balls. Since coming off the injured list in late April, Freeland has lost four of his five appearances with a 10.32 ERA over 22.2 innings. The lefty is scheduled to make his next start against the Dodgers next week.

Lowder (shoulder) threw a side session Tuesday and will throw again in the bullpen Friday, MLB.com reports.

If all goes well Friday, Lowder could begin facing hitters a few days after. The right-hander landed on the injured list after leaving his May 7 start with shoulder discomfort, which necessitated an injection in the AC joint.

Mahle (1-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks after giving up six runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out six across five innings.

Mahle was in decent shape Wednesday until the fifth inning, when Arizona scored thrice on four hits to take the lead for good. It marks Mahle's third straight outing allowing four or more runs to elevate his ERA to 6.10 through 10 starts this season. His six losses are tied with six others for the most in MLB. The 31-year-old is projected for a home rematch against the Diamondbacks next week.

Kelly (4-3) allowed three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks to earn the win Wednesday over the Giants.

Kelly collected his third straight quality start and victory to help the Diamondbacks complete the series sweep. The right-hander allowed a home run to Casey Schmitt in the first inning and didn't retire the side in order until the sixth, but he was otherwise able to limit San Francisco to single tallies in the second and fourth frames. After a horrid start to the year resulted in a 9.95 ERA through his first four outings, the 37-year-old has allowed just five runs with a 13:3 K:BB in 22 innings over his last three starts. Kelly's next appearance lines up to be a road rematch with the Giants next week.

Cabrera was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers with a blister on his right middle finger, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

After allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters through three frames, Cabrera was taken out of Wednesday's contest following his first pitch of the fourth inning. It's unknown whether the 28-year-old righty will be ready to take the mound in time for his next turn through the rotation, but the Cubs will monitor the situation closely over the next several days.

White isn't expected to make his MLB debut anytime soon, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

With Braxton Garrett being sent down to Triple-A and White getting scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday, it seemed like the Marlins were preparing to promote White to fill the open spot in their rotation. However, the team will instead keep the young lefty in the minors to continue developing after opening the Triple-A season with a 4.34 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through 18.2 innings.