MLB Player News

Velasquez (5-8) allowed two runs on three hits and four walks across six innings Monday to take the loss against the Yankees. He struck out seven.

Velasquez did well to keep pace with a dangerous lineup, with his two biggest mistakes coming on an RBI double by Gleyber Torres in the second inning and a solo home run from Aaron Judge in the fifth. Though he threw 67 percent of his pitches for strikes, he struggled to put hitters away at times and tied his season high in walks. Velasquez has experienced mixed results over five June outings, posting three quality starts but allowing 14 unearned runs across 10 innings in his other two. His consistent 10.8 K/9 still endows him with fantasy upside and he'll look to build on a solid effort this weekend against the Nationals.

Lugo (2-3) allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks across five innings to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He struck out four.

Lugo wasn't helped out by his defense on a night when the Mets committed three errors, leading to unearned runs in two separate innings. He also allowed a solo home run to Gregory Polanco, but the offense failed to score a single run during his time on the mound and left him with his third loss of the season. While Lugo still carries a sharp 2.76 ERA and 1.07 WHIP for the season, his numbers have taken a hit since becoming a regular in the starting rotation, as he's allowed nine earned runs over his last 13 innings overall. He'll look to achieve a better result in a favorable matchup with the Marlins this weekend.

Maeda (5-4) tossed seven shutout innings and allowed just three hits and a walk with nine strikeouts to earn his fifth victory Monday against the Cubs.

Maeda bounced back brilliantly from a shaky start last time out, also against the Cubs, in which he lasted just 3.2 innings. He induced a ridiculous 19 swinging strikes on just 84 pitches against a strong Cubs lineup and came just short of his fourth double-digit strikeout game. Maeda has had a few disastrous outings -- he has allowed more runs than innings pitched three times in 2018 -- but when he's on, he's well nigh unhittable, as he has now struck out 80 batters in just 68 innings. He'll take a 3.44 ERA in to his next start Saturday against the Rockies.

Lucchesi tossed four shutout innings and allowed just one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision Monday against the Rangers.

With Lucchesi making just his second start back from a hip strain and having lasted just 1.2 innings in his return start, the Padres elected to play it safe and pull Lucchesi after just 70 pitches. Manager Andy Green said the Padres are making sure to not just manage for the game, but for Lucchesi's career longevity as well, and that's an understandable play for a Padres team that sat 10 games under .500 entering play Monday. Even as Lucchesi stretches out, don't expect him to go too deep into games. Despite his effectiveness (3.57 ERA, 55:19 K:BB over 54 innings), Lucchesi has not recorded an out in the seventh inning all season long, and he has completed the sixth just twice. His next start will come Sunday against the Pirates, and expect the Padres to continue to handle Lucchesi with care.

Mahle allowed three runs on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts through five innings in a no-decision Monday against Atlanta.

For the fifth time this season, including the second straight start, Mahle walked four batters. He was able to avoid disaster by keeping the ball in the ballpark and inducing a solid nine swinging strikes, though. Mahle has a strong 81 strikeouts in 86 innings (8.5 K/9) and has kept opponents without a home run in five of the past six starts, a stretch dating back to May 26, but his control issues have limited him to a 3.98 ERA. He'll make his next start Saturday against the Brewers.

Urias (shoulder) will throw two bullpen sessions this week and recently touched the upper 80s with his fastball, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The electric southpaw averaged 93 mph with his fastball prior to his significant shoulder injury, which required surgery, so he is clearly not close to his old self. While the Dodgers' rotation has been ravaged by injuries, they will exercise caution with their prized young hurler. It's possible he will begin a rehab assignment in July.

Darvish (triceps) could come off the disabled list to start this weekend against the Twins, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

He made a rehab start Monday for Low-A South Bend, giving up one run on three hits while striking out five over five innings. Darvish threw 57 pitches (41 strikes), so if he does start for the big-league club Saturday or Sunday, he should not be expected to get up to 100 pitches. We should learn more about the next step for Darvish on Tuesday.

An MRI taken on Lyles' injured forearm revealed only inflammation in his elbow, and he will have a chance to rejoin the Padres' rotation in early July, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lyles will not throw again until later this week at the earliest, but he appears to have avoided any sort of serious setback. Lyles' disabled-list stint is retroactive to June 21, so he can be activated July 1. Thus, barring any setbacks when he picks up a ball again, he will essentially be eligible to rejoin the Padres' rotation at any point.

Ray (oblique) will be activated from the 10-day disabled list and start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic Arizona reports.

Ray was scheduled to make a third rehab start Monday, but the Diamondbacks evidently decided he was ready to return a little earlier than anticipated. The decision may have been made partly out of necessity, as Clay Buchholz hit the disabled list with an oblique injury of his own and the team needed someone to take his spot in the rotation. Ray threw just 66 pitches in his most recent rehab start, so there's a good chance he'll face some restrictions Wednesday as he takes the hill for Arizona for the first time since April 29.

Wainwright (elbow) will begin a throwing program next week, Frank Cusumano of KSDK reports.

Wainwright has not thrown since undergoing surgery in May, but he is now on the verge of doing so. Wainwright is hoping to return to action shortly after the All-Star break, and he will at least have a chance to do that barring any hiccups during the rest of his recovery. A better estimate in regards to Wainwright's return will be able to be made once he resumes throwing from a mound.