MLB Player News

Velasquez allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 4.1 innings Wednesday against the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision.

Velasquez surrendered two home runs, which accounted for all three of his charged runs. However, he showed some positive signs otherwise by racking up five strikeouts on 12 called strikes and seven swinging strikes. Velasquez now figures to return to the bullpen. as Matt Moore (COVID-19) should be prepared to return to the rotation the next turn through.

DeGrom (2-2) gave up a run on three hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in six innings but took the loss Wednesday versus the Red Sox.

DeGrom was once again excellent, but the Mets couldn't muster any runs against Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta. Despite the loss, deGrom has a minuscule 0.51 ERA and 0.57 WHIP to go with a 59:4 K:BB across 35 innings this season. The Mets' ace will hope for better run support in his next start, currently scheduled for Monday in St. Louis.

Hendricks (1-3) allowed seven runs on 11 hits across 3.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Braves. He struck out three and didn't issue any walks.

Hendricks probably doesn't want to see Atlanta again anytime soon, as he's now allowed 14 earned runs in 7.2 innings against the Braves this season. In his other three starts, the righty has allowed just five earned runs in 15 innings. Thankfully, Hendricks won't see Atlanta in his next scheduled start Monday, though he does line up against a potent Dodgers squad. The 31-year-old will carry a 7.54 ERA into that outing, and fantasy managers may want to tread carefully until Hendricks begins to look more like himself.

Houser's next start was pushed to Monday in Philadelphia, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Eric Lauer was recalled to start Thursday against the Dodgers, which pushes the rest of the Brewers starters back a day.

Lauer was recalled from the Brewers' alternate training site and will start Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Zack Godley (finger) landed on the injured list and Lauer will be brought up in a corresponding move to give the rest of the rotation some rest. If he holds his own, Lauer could stick around for another start next week in Philadelphia.

Oviedo was recalled from the Cardinals' alternate training site prior to his start Wednesday against the Phillies.

The 23-year-old righty logged a 5.47 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 24.2 innings across five MLB starts last season. He has not allowed a run in 4.2 innings (one appearance) this season. The 6-foot-5 hurler throws four pitches, leaning on his 95-97 mph fastball roughly 50 percent of the time.

Alcantara (1-2) earned the win Wednesday at Milwaukee after allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and zero walks across seven innings.

The 25-year-old surrendered a two-run homer to Kolten Wong during the third inning Wednesday, but he otherwise kept the Brewers off the board to record his first victory of 2021. Alcantara has a 3.19 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB over 36.2 innings this season, and he lines up for a matchup with the Diamondbacks next week.

Strasburg (shoulder) could throw a bullpen session over the weekend, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg has been throwing from 150 feet in recent days to rebuild strength in his shoulder, and he could throw off a mound for the first time over the weekend. The right-hander still doesn't have a timetable to return to game action, but a successful bullpen session would be a significant step forward in his recovery process.

Eflin (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season Tuesday against the Cardinals while allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out eight over 6.2 innings.

Eflin's overall performance was better than his final line shows. The 27-year-old allowed three runs over the first two innings but was able to settle in while not allowing a run over the next four frames. He ended up being pulled with two outs in the seventh after surrendering back-to-back singles, and his replacement, Sam Coonrod, coughed up a two-run double on the first pitch he threw to Paul Goldschmidt. Eflin had begun the year with three quality starts in his first four outings, but he wasn't as sharp Tuesday night after allowing a season-high nine hits. The right-hander has had impressive command, however, as he's logged a 27:2 K:BB over 32.2 innings. He'll take a 3.58 ERA into his next start against the Mets on Sunday.

Martinez (1-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out four against the Phillies on Tuesday, earning his first win as a starting pitcher since July 2018.

Martinez started off a little rocky after finding himself with runners on second and third and one out but was able to limit the damage to one run on a sacrifice fly by J.T. Realmuto. He later gave up an unearned run in the fourth that came as a result of two errors in the inning. He played a major part in limiting the Phillies to a season-low three hits and has now gone at least six innings while allowing one earned run in his last two outings. Martinez does appear to be trending in the right direction after posting a 7.80 ERA over his first three starts, but he should still be considered more of a streaming option moving forward. He's lined up to take on Jacob deGrom and the Mets on Monday.