MLB Player News

Darvish (2-3) struck out eight and picked up the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He gave up one run on two hits and four walks over six innings.

The Cubs put up nine runs, which was more than enough for Darvish. It's been an uneven start to the year for the 32-year-old righty, as he now owns a 5.02 ERA, but going at least six innings for the first time this season is a step in the right direction. To take another step forward, Darvish will need to cut down on the walks, as he now has 22 through 28.2 innings. Darvish will look to build on the solid start in his next outing, which lines up for Friday against the Cardinals.

Mahle (0-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings against St. Louis.

Mahle, who has not recorded a win in his five starts this season, wasn't fooling the Cardinals, as he generated just three swinging strikes. The 24-year-old was primarily victimized by Marcell Ozuna, who reached him for a three-run homer in the third inning and a two-run double in the fifth. Mahle has a 4.50 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP, and he'll look to rebound Thursday at Citi Field against the Mets.

Ryu (3-1) allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out 10 over seven innings in a win over the Pirates on Friday night. He did not issue a walk.

Ryu was outstanding in this one, getting 16 called strikes and a whopping 19 swinging strikes on 105 pitches. Many were frustrated when Ryu landed on the IL after his April 8 outing, thinking "here we go again" with the lefty, but Ryu turned the page on the groin issue in a hurry and has gone 12.2 innings with four earned runs allowed and a 19:1 K:BB in two starts since his activation. The home runs are piling up (nine in 27.1 innings), but because he's been so stingy with the walks, the long ball hasn't really hurt Ryu to this point. He should be locked into active lineups for next week's outing in San Francisco.

Ray (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 8-3 victory over the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings while striking out seven.

The southpaw finally got into the win column, getting staked to a 3-0 lead after the first inning and exiting after 94 pitches (55 strikes) with a comfortable four-run margin. Ray's 4.18 ERA and 37:17 K:BB through 32.1 innings are in line with last year's performance. but he faces a tough challenge in his next start, set for next Friday in Coors Field.

Hendricks (1-4) took the loss Friday, coughing up seven runs on 10 hits and a walk over five innings while striking out three as the Cubs fell 8-3 to the Diamondbacks.

The right-hander put together a 1-2-3 second inning on three grounders, but otherwise Hendricks had little luck on all the balls Arizona was putting into play against him. He'll take a 5.33 ERA and 24:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings when he takes the mound again next Friday, at home against the Cards.

Mikolas (2-2) took the loss in Friday's 12-1 drubbing at the hands of the Reds, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over five innings while striking out four.

The 30-year-old has been consistent so far this season, giving the Cards at least five innings in all six of his starts, but he's been hit hard -- after serving up 16 homers in 200.2 frames last year, Mikolas has already been tagged for eight dingers in only 34 innings in 2019, leading to a 5.29 ERA. He'll try to find a way to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing Wednesday, on the road against the Nats.

DeSclafani (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 12-1 victory over the Cardinals, tossing six scoreless innings and allowing four hits and three walks while striking out six.

The Reds didn't really pour on the offense until DeSclafani was out of the game, scoring eight runs in the final two innings, but the right-hander didn't need much run support as he cruised to his second straight quality start. He'll carry a 4.26 ERA and 28:11 K:BB through 25.1 innings into his next outing Wednesday, on the road against the Mets.

Martinez (shoulder) was slated to throw a bullpen session Friday and then meet with the team's medical staff over the weekend to plan out the next phase of his rehab, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals have already determined Martinez will work as a reliever upon return, but he still has some steps remaining in his rehabilitation before he can begin fulfilling that role. The weekend evaluation could well lead to a minor-league rehab assignment, although that remains to be determined.

Wacha (knee) threw a pain-free bullpen session Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

As a result, Wacha remains on track for activation Monday, when he'd draw the start against the Nationals. However, manager Mike Shildt emphasized that the team will still ensure the right-hander suffers no residual effects from Friday's work over the weekend before making a final decision on his status.

Anderson allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Friday's no-decision against the Mets.

Anderson pitched well up until the fourth and fifth innings, when he ran into some problems with his command. Spectacular defense by Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun did save Anderson from surrendering more than two runs, however. The 31-year-old right-hander has pieced together serviceable back-to-back performances since rejoining the rotation (two runs allowed over 9.2 innings with nine strikeouts), but he still hasn't worked past the fifth inning in a start this year.