MLB Player News

The Pirates placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right arm discomfort, retroactive to Monday.

Ashcraft gave up three earned runs during his most recent outing Saturday against the Angels, and he appears to have come away from his start with an arm injury that's serious enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. A minimum-length stay would give him enough time to make one more start during the final week of the season, though the Pirates -- currently five games back of a wild-card spot with 16 to play -- could shut him down for the year if they're eliminated before Ashcraft is healthy. Antwone Kelly was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Wheeler took a no-decision Thursday against Houston, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out nine.

Wheeler has now fired at least six innings while yielding just one run in three consecutive starts. The right-hander has also tapped back into his best swing-and-miss stuff, tallying nine strikeouts in consecutive starts after fanning six or fewer in six of his prior seven outings. He'll bring an outstanding 3.14 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 172:45 K:BB through 143.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Washington against the division-rival Nationals.

Perez took a no-decision Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing four hits and two walks in seven scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Perez outdueled Nick Martinez on Thursday, scattering four singles across seven sterling frames. The southpaw showed signs of rust his last time out while pitching on extra rest, coughing up four runs over 3.2 innings in Philadelphia on Saturday, so it was encouraging to see him rebound in response after a normal between-starts protocol. He'll carry a 3.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 98:56 K:BB through 131.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Chicago against the Cubs.

Early (elbow) is tentatively slated to make a rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

The southpaw threw 30 pitches in a bridge league game Tuesday, so he could be ready to handle around 40-to-50 during his upcoming appearance with Harrisburg. Early has yet to make his Nationals debut after being acquired from the Red Sox in July, but he may be able to join the big-league club before the end of the season if all goes well Sunday. Over 17 starts for Boston prior to being shut down with elbow inflammation, Early delivered a 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 93:34 K:BB through 91.2 innings.

Santucci allowed one run on five hits over five innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The 23-year-old southpaw initially struggled upon his promotion to Triple-A at the beginning of August, but over his last three starts, Santucci has a 3.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 15 innings. A second-round pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Santucci isn't on the 40-man roster and won't need to be protected from the Rule 5 draft this winter, so the Mets have little incentive to bring him up to the majors before the end of the season. A strong finish at Syracuse would position him to compete for a spot in the big-league rotation next spring, however.

The Brewers optioned Sproat to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sproat had been recalled earlier this week, and he was wild in his lone appearance Wednesday against the Cubs, walking four while being charged with four runs over 1.1 innings. The Brewers will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game against the Reds.

Doyle was removed from a start at Double-A Springfield on Wednesday due to a blister on his pitching hand, Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Manager Patrick Anderson said after the contest that Doyle is "going to be fine," and he believes the left-hander will pitch again this season. Doyle was charged with two runs on one hit and two walks with five strikeouts over five-plus innings Wednesday before exiting. The top prospect is finishing off his first full pro season in style, collecting a 1.73 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 59:25 K:BB over 52 innings covering his last 10 starts.

Stone (shoulder/biceps) resumed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, allowing three runs over two-thirds of an inning.

Stone went two weeks in between rehab appearances as he recovered from a minor biceps issue. He had pitched tremendously in his first four minor-league outings prior to Wednesday, yielding just two runs with an 18:1 K:BB in 11.2 frames. If he can rediscover that form, Stone could help the Dodgers down the stretch. The 27-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 after undergoing shoulder surgery in October of that year and then experiencing a setback this spring.

Lowder (6-10) allowed seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Lowder gave up five extra-base hits (four doubles and a home run) during his short start. He looks to be running out of steam late in the season, having given up 25 runs (23 earned) across 25 innings over his last five games. Lowder is at a 5.81 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 94:49 K:BB across 119.1 innings through 26 outings (23 starts) this year. He is tentatively projected for a home rematch versus the Dodgers next week.

Yamamoto (13-8) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings to earn the win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Yamamoto limited the damage to an Elly De La Cruz solo home run in the fourth inning. This victory snapped a three-start winless stretch for Yamamoto, who continues to be among the most reliable starters in baseball. This was his third double-digit strikeout performance of the year. He has pitched to a 2.62 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 171:39 K:BB through 172 innings over 26 starts. Yamamoto is lined up to make his next start in a rematch at Cincinnati next week.