MLB Player News

Milbrandt could be an option to join the Marlins' rotation later this summer, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander has dominated to begin the season at Double-A Pensacola, posting a 1.06 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 63:14 K:BB through 42.1 innings, but the organization has been very careful with Milbrandt's workload and has had him pitching just once a week rather than every five or six days. His stuff appears ready for the majors, however -- he's gained velocity since being a third-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft and now sits in the mid-90s with his fastball while touching the high 90s, and he also works with a plus slider and promising kick-change. The Marlins don't seem inclined to rush him, but he'll need to be added to the 40-man roster this winter anyway, and with injuries piling up in the big-league rotation Milbrandt is positioning himself for a 2026 MLB debut.

Skenes (6-5) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Cubs after allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out 10.

Skenes tossed 62 of his 103 pitches for strikes and struck out double-digit batters for the second time in his last four starts, but he was the victim of subpar defense once again. The star hurler has been struggling of late, as Skenes has taken the loss his last three starts -- a stretch in which he's posted a 5.87 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 15.1 innings, albeit with an elite 19:5 K:BB. Skenes will aim to bounce back in his next start, scheduled for next week on the road against the Astros.

Rea (5-3) earned the win Thursday against the Pirates after allowing two runs on four hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out five and also hit a batter.

Rea allowed a solo homer to Bryan Reynolds and an RBI double to Tyler Callihan before departing the game in the sixth, but he was excellent in the opening five frames. Rea has been a mixed bag as a rotation option, but he's at least been serviceable. He's posted a 4.78 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP across six starts and 32 innings in May and is slated to make his next start next week at home against the Athletics.

Sale (8-3) earned the win over Boston on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over five innings.

Sale labored a bit more than usual, needing 96 pitches to get through five frames. The left-hander had a stretch of seven straight quality starts snapped Thursday, but he was still able to pick up his eighth win of the season, tied for second most in MLB. Sale has had one poor start this year -- he gave up six runs over four innings against the Angels on April 6 -- but he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in his other 10 appearances. Overall, he's posting ace-like numbers, recording a 2.01 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 80:17 K:BB through 67 frames.

The Rockies transferred Quintana (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Quintana landed on the 15-day IL on Monday with a sprained left elbow. MRI results determined that the southpaw's injury isn't severe enough to require surgery, but he is still set to remain sidelined until at least July 24 now that he's on the 60-day IL. His 40-man roster spot will be given to Jeff Criswell (elbow), who returned from the injured list Thursday and was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said Thursday that Mlodzinski has been moved to the bullpen, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Mlodzinski has held his own as a member of the Pirates rotation this season, collecting a 3.76 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB over 55 innings. However, with the right-hander having significant relief experience and the Pirates needing bullpen help from the right side, it makes sense to shift Mlodzinski to a relief role to accommodate the return of Jared Jones (elbow), who will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Twins.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said Thursday that Jones (elbow) will return from the 60-day injured list and start Friday's game against the Twins at PNC Park, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Jones will be making his first appearance at the big-league level since he underwent UCL surgery last May. The right-hander looked sharp in five rehab starts, logging a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He went 4.1 frames and threw 76 pitches in his most recent outing with Triple-A Indianapolis last weekend, so while Jones should be able to reach five innings Friday if he pitches efficiently, he shouldn't be expected to work much longer than that. Expect the Pirates to manage Jones' workload after he missed all of the 2025 campaign.

Priester (shoulder) recorded two outs and was charged with three earned runs on two hits and three walks Wednesday in his rehab start with Triple-A Nashville. He struck out one batter.

Per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Milwaukee was aiming for Priester to cover five innings and around 80-to-85 pitches Wednesday in his third start since resuming his rehab assignment, but the right-hander fell well short of both benchmarks. He needed 38 pitches just to record his two outs, with Priester's erratic control prompting his removal from the game before the first inning concluded. Priester hasn't looked sharp at any point over the course of his two separate rehab assignments spanning six starts, accruing a 21.60 ERA, 3.60 WHIP and 10:17 K:BB in 10 innings over one outing with High-A Wisconsin and five with Nashville. In addition to lacking control, Priester has struggled to regain velocity as he works his way back from right neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. Priester averaged 93.9 mph with his sinker during the 2025 season, but he reached a max velocity of just 93.3 mph during Wednesday's start.

Sugano (4-4) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Sugano gave up solo home runs to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the first inning, and that was the difference. It wasn't an efficient outing for Sugano either, as he threw just 48 of 83 pitches for strikes. This is just the third time he's given up multiple homers in a start this season. The right-hander has a 4.01 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB through 58.1 innings over 11 starts. He's projected to make his next start in a much more favorable road matchup versus the Angels, which should give him streaming appeal in fantasy.

Abbott (4-3) picked up the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over six innings during a 4-2 loss against the Mets. He struck out four.

Abbott broke his three-game winning streak with a loss in which he allowed solo shots to Juan Soto and Eric Wagaman in the first two innings. The lefty still pitched well overall and has given up two earned runs or fewer in six straight starts, but he didn't get much run support Wednesday. Abbott had an 0-2 record with a 6.59 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 28.2 innings through his first six starts of the season, but he's gone 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA in 34 innings over his past six outings. The 26-year-old is slated to make his next start at home against the Royals.