MLB Player News

Littell (0-4) took the loss Tuesday against the Mets, surrendering eight runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across 3.2 innings.

Littell has now been tagged for eight runs in each of his last three starts and has given up an astonishing 25 earned runs and 13 homers across 28.2 innings this season. Both of those numbers are the most in the league. It's fair to wonder how much longer Washington will trot out the right-hander to make starts. He gave up long balls to Bo Bichette and Juan Soto on Tuesday and now owns a hideous 7.85 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 16:11 K:BB across six appearances. His 9.06 FIP and 7.96 xERA suggest Littell has somehow pitched even worse than his numbers would suggest.

Gallen (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gallen showed up at the ballpark Monday and played catch two days after being removed from his start in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Padres. The right-hander expects to make his next start, which will likely come Friday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Phillips recorded a save against the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing one hit over one scoreless inning. He didn't walk or strike out any batters.

With Pete Fairbanks (hand) landing on the injured list earlier Tuesday, Miami turned to Phillips in the ninth inning while holding a one-run lead. The right-hander got the job done, working around a one-out infield single to prevent Los Angeles from catching up. Phillips blew a save chance one day earlier, but it's hard to blame him for that, as he inherited a one-out, bases-loaded situation after Fairbanks exited with his injury. The Marlins may ultimately opt for a committee approach to closer while Fairbanks is sidelined, but Phillips figures to factor into the mix for save chances during that time, as he's posted a strong 1.47 ERA along with a 1.36 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB with two saves through 18.1 innings spanning 10 appearances this season.

Buehler tossed 4.2 innings against the Cubs on Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision.

Buehler didn't give up a destructive number of runs, but he tossed just 48 of 92 pitches for strikes and was pulled before he could complete five innings. It was the second straight start and fourth time through six outings this season that the veteran righty has been unable to go five frames. Buehler has pitched to a poor 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with a 24:12 K:BB through 25 innings, but he's remained in the injury-plagued Padres rotation. With that said, San Diego signed Lucas Giolito to a contract last week, and Griffin Canning (Achilles) is in the midst of a rehab stint, so it's fair to wonder if Buehler will be able to hold on to his starting spot when those hurlers join the big-league club.

Cabrera (3-0) earned the win over San Diego on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings.

Cabrera nearly notched a quality start, but he was pulled with two outs in the sixth inning, one batter after he gave up a run-scoring single. Nonetheless, the right-hander impressed with a whopping 20 whiffs while setting a season high with seven punchouts. Cabrera has given up exactly three earned runs in four straight starts, and he's completed at least five frames in each of those outings. In his first year with Chicago, Cabrera has proven to be an impactful addition to the rotation, posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB through 35.1 innings while winning three of his six starts without yet taking a loss.

Woodford earned the save Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits while striking out two over three scoreless innings.

Woodford entered with a large lead following Milwaukee's eight-run sixth inning and provided length out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless innings to finish the game. It was his first save as a Brewer and the fourth of his career. The outing also helped the right-hander stabilize after he had allowed six runs over his previous 7.1 innings. Woodford now owns a 4.61 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and a 9:2 K:BB across 13.2 innings this season.

Kelly (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks while striking out one over five innings.

Kelly came into Tuesday looking to bounce back from a disaster outing in his last start, when he allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings against the White Sox, but his command issues continued to cause him trouble. The right-hander threw just 58 of his 104 pitches for strikes and issued five walks, creating constant traffic on the bases. Those free passes proved costly, as two of Kelly's walks came around to score in the fourth inning on a Joey Ortiz single. Through three starts, Kelly now holds a 9.20 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 9:12 K:BB across 14.2 innings. With a tough matchup against the Cubs looming, it may be difficult for him to turn things around immediately.

Mahle (1-4) took the loss against the Phillies on Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across five innings.

Mahle yielded just one run through the first five innings of Tuesday's start, but he was pulled in the sixth after giving up back-to-back RBI doubles and was tagged for four runs in the frame. It's been an inconsistent start to the season for the veteran right-hander, who has given up two runs or fewer in three of six starts while giving up five or more runs in his other three outings. Mahle will bring a 5.87 ERA and 1.63 WHIP (over 30.2 innings) into his next start, tentatively lined up for this weekend on the road against the Rays.

Luzardo (2-3) earned the win against the Giants on Tuesday, allowing two hits while striking out eight across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

It was a dominant effort from Luzardo, with Tuesday's start highlighted by four consecutive strikeouts from the third to fourth innings before the lefty retired the last 11 batters he faced. This marked the third time in six starts that Luzardo gave up one run or zero, but he has also yielded five runs or more in those other three starts and sits at a 5.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB across 34.1 innings this season. Luzardo's next start is lined up for this weekend against the Marlins in Miami.

Manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Steele's (elbow) setback will keep him sidelined until after the All-Star break, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The Cubs were originally anticipating an early-June return for Steele, but after suffering a setback in his rehab program Tuesday, the 30-year-old southpaw will now have another month-plus added to his time on the IL. A more precise timeline for his return may begin to emerge whenever he is cleared to resume throwing.