MLB Player News

Darvish struck out four but permitted five runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday. He allowed six hits and five walks as the Cubs eventually won 6-5.

Darvish yielded single runs on a solo homer to Jose Martinez in the second inning and a Matt Carpenter double in the third. However, he had even more difficulty in the fourth, allowing three more runs on three hits and two walks. Even though he finished out the fourth inning, he began the fifth with two walks and was removed after 81 pitches. The 32-year-old has made seven starts this season and has completed six innings only once. This effort leaves Darvish with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP along with an unsightly 37:27 K:BB.

Wacha struck out four but was tagged with five runs (four earned) over five innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Saturday. He allowed six hits and four walks as the Cubs eventually won 6-5.

Wacha gave up a run in the first inning on a Kris Bryant single, but he ran into real trouble in the fourth. Holding a 5-1 lead, he loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before yielding a grand slam to Taylor Davis to tie the score. The 27-year-old stayed in through the fifth inning but was removed after throwing 83 pitches. Wacha has a bloated 5.17 ERA and 1.63 WHIP this season, along with a 33:21 K:BB.

Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Anderson reportedly had a tenuous hold on his rotation spot heading into Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, and allowing six runs in four innings was evidently the last straw. He'll try to figure things out in Albuquerque after recording an 11.76 ERA in his first five starts. Yency Almonte will take his place on the roster, though it's not yet clear who will take his spot in the rotation.

Wells was sent from Seattle to Washington along with cash considerations in exchange for Austin Adams on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Wells was taken by the Blue Jays with a third-round pick back in 2014. The lefty has an unimpressive 5.28 ERA as a professional and a 7.91 mark in five starts for High-A Modesto this season.

Flexen was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Flexen will join the Mets for his second stint in the majors this season, the first of which came in a spot start a couple weeks ago. The 24-year-old allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.1 innings during that outing but should be used out of the bullpen this time around with Luis Avilan (elbow) landing on the injured list.

Taillon will get a second opinion on his elbow next week, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

An MRI revealed that Taillon's surgically repaired UCL remains intact, but he was designated with a flexor strain and won't throw for at least four weeks. His absence could be even longer if he receives bad news from Dr. David Altchek, who performed Taillon's Tommy John surgery back in 2014.

Taillon (elbow) won't throw for at least four weeks, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon was diagnosed with a flexor strain and placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday. His absence won't be a short one, as he'll still need to build his arm strength back up following the shutdown period. He appears to be looking at a mid-June return at the absolute earliest. The Pirates have yet to announce who will take his spot in the rotation.

Toussaint was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett Friday.

Toussaint's reward for his game-winning four-inning relief outing Friday is a demotion. As a young pitcher with options, he's likely to continue bouncing between Gwinnett and Atlanta throughout the year. Sean Newcomb was recalled in a corresponding move.

Taillon was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain Saturday.

The severity of the issue and Taillon's expected return date are not yet clear. Tyler Lyons' contract was selected in a corresponding move, though the Pirates have yet to indicate who will take Taillon's spot in the rotation.

Toussaint (2-0) picked up the win Friday against the Marlins, allowing one run on four hits and three walks across four innings. He struck out six.

Toussaint was called upon after Kevin Gausman was ejected from Friday's game in the second inning for throwing behind Jose Urena. The young right-hander cruised over the next 3.1 frames before running into trouble in what was the start of the sixth inning, loading up the bases before giving way to Jerry Blevins with two outs. Blevins walked in a run, accounting for the only run charged to Toussaint on the evening. The 22-year-old is now 2-0 with a 6.35 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 through 11.1 innings (three appearances, one start) with the Braves this season. Seeing as Toussaint won't be available for a few days following his appearance out of the bullpen Friday, the Braves may opt to send him back to the minors in exchange for a fresh arm.