MLB Player News

Alcantara (2-5) yielded four runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out eight and taking a loss against the White Sox.

Alcantara looked solid for most of the outing, allowing only one run through the first five frames. He was cruising toward his first quality start since April 23 before serving up a three-run blast to Tim Elko. Alcantara has now allowed at least four runs in five of his last six outings and has taken five consecutive losses. He's sporting a brutal 8.10 ERA and 31:21 K:BB through 36.2 frames. Alcantara is projected to face the Rays at home next weekend.

The Padres list Cease (forearm) as their probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Angels at Petco Park.

Cease was cruising along in his most recent start Wednesday against the Yankees before being pulled midway through the seventh inning due to what he called "a freak cramp" in his right forearm, per MLB.com. Subsequent medical testing revealed nothing concerning, and after Cease was able to play catch Friday without incident, he doesn't look like he'll be facing any restrictions when he returns to the hill Tuesday on five days' rest. Since surrendering a season-high nine runs in a loss to the Athletics on April 8, Cease has gone winless in his ensuing five starts but has pitched effectively, turning in a 3.16 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB across 25.2 innings over that stretch.

Woodruff (shoulder) gave up one earned run on two hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 2.1 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Nashville.

After covering at least five innings in each of his previous three rehab outings, Woodruff covered about half of that length Sunday, though the lighter workload was a pre-planned arrangement in what will be his final start of his minor-league assignment, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Woodruff was efficient in the abbreviated outing, spotting 28 of 39 pitches for strikes and giving up a pair of softly hit singles. Woodruff had built up to 83 pitches in his previous start with Nashville on Tuesday, so he should be able to handle something close to a typical starter's workload once he joins the Brewers. Milwaukee is expected to activate Woodruff from the 15-day injured list next weekend to have him start against the Twins at American Family Field in what will be his first big-league outing since Sept. 23, 2023.

Kershaw (toe/knee) allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters over four innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Making what was likely his fifth and final rehab start, Kershaw was generally efficient (35 strikes on 57 pitches) and topped out at 88.8 miles per hour with his fastball. Though Kershaw has never been the most overpowering pitcher, he averaged 90 mph with his fastball over his seven starts with the Dodgers in 2024, so the diminished velocity he's shown during his rehab assignment means that any success that he might have at the big-league level this season could hinge even more heavily on inducing weak contact rather than making bats miss. From a workload standpoint, Kershaw isn't expected to face any major restrictions when he returns from the 60-day injured list, as he has gotten stretched out to six innings and 66 pitches over the course of his minor-league assignment. He's expected to be activated when first eligible next Sunday to make his 2025 Dodgers debut in a home start against the Angels.

Ritchie is being promoted to Double-A Columbus, Geoff Pontes of Baseball America reports.

Ritchie has posted a 1.30 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 38 strikeouts over 41.2 innings in seven starts with High-A Rome this season, including a nine-strikeout, one-hit shutout of Greenville on Saturday. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, the 21-year-old right-hander could rise up prospect lists quickly if he continues dominating at Double-A.

Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 win over Atlanta, allowing four hits and one walk over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

The 26-year-old right-hander produced his first scoreless start of the season with this 83-pitch performance, falling an out shy of securing his first quality start. The Atlanta lineup was unable to square up Mlodzinski, as he scattered three singles and a double. With this effort, Mlodzinski lowered his ERA from 6.16 to 5.20 across 36.1 total innings. He currently lines up to make his next start at the Phillies next weekend.

Sale took a no-decision in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Pirates, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The Atlanta southpaw generated a solid 18 whiffs in this 99-pitch outing, falling one out shy of notching his third consecutive quality start. Despite yielding eight base knocks, only one of the hits went for extra bases -- an Alexander Canario double in the fourth. Through 47.2 frames, Sale owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 64:13 K:BB. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against one of his former teams, the Red Sox, in Boston next weekend.

Gore (2-4) took the loss Sunday against St. Louis, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts.

The Washington southpaw showed no ill effects of the ankle injury he suffered during his last start May 4 in this 101-pitch performance. Gore generated 13 whiffs and was in line for a quality start before allowing two runs (one scoring on a single conceded by reliever Andrew Chafin) in the seventh as he tired. Through 52.2 innings, Gore has pitched to a 3.59 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 75:16 K:BB. He is currently slated to make his next start against the Orioles in Baltimore next weekend.

Mikolas (2-2) earned the win Sunday at Washington, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Mikolas looked solid again, as the only blemish on his line was a Nathaniel Lowe solo homer in the fourth. The St. Louis right-hander fired only 69 pitches in this outing, and the Cardinals have found success deploying Mikolas in shorter stints. Across his last five starts, the 36-year-old has pitched to a 2.05 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB over 26.1 innings. Mikolas currently lines up to take his next turn in the rotation at Kansas City next weekend.

Boyd did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The veteran southpaw generated a solid 16 whiffs in this 92-pitch performance to notch his fifth quality start. Boyd limited the Mets to just two extra-base hits, both of which produced runs -- a Luis Torrens triple in the second and a Mark Vientos solo homer in the sixth. The 34-year-old Boyd has been a dependable arm in his first season with the Cubs, pitching to a 2.78 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 45:13 K:BB across 45.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to be against the White Sox at home next weekend.