MLB Player News

Priester (wrist) yielded four runs on three walks while recording just two outs in his first rehab start with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

After walking the first hitter of the game, Priester bounced back with consecutive strikeouts. Unfortunately, he then hit the next batter with a pitch before issuing two straight walks, the second of which forced in a run and spelled the end of his night. Three more runs were charged to his line after reliever Peter Strzelecki served up a grand slam. Even more disturbing than Priester's line was his velocity, as he averaged only 91.2 mph with his sinker (down from last year's 93.9 mph) and 88.9 mph with his cutter (down from last year's 92.3 mph). It was Priester's first game action since last October, so it's possible his velocity will rise as he gets ramped up. However, given that he's coming back from thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms, there's a chance the velocity will remain down. Priester will need multiple additional rehab starts before the Brewers consider reinserting him into their rotation.

Canning (Achilles) yielded two earned runs on three hits and two walks across 1.2 innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso. He didn't record a strikeout.

Making the fourth start of his rehab assignment, Canning was expected to get further stretched out after tossing 67 pitches and 2.2 innings his last time out for El Paso on Thursday. The right-hander ended up throwing just 45 pitches (24 strikes) in Wednesday's outing before being lifted midway through the second inning. Canning has now turned in a 5.40 ERA, 2.10 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB in 10 innings for El Paso over his four outings, so in addition to increasing his pitch count, he'll likely need to show improved form with the Triple-A club in order to secure a spot in the San Diego rotation once he returns from the 15-day injured list.

Weaver (2-0) earned the win in relief Wednesday against the Twins, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three across 1.1 innings.

Weaver entered the game in the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and second. He walked Ryan Jeffers to load the bases, but he closed out the inning when Luke Keaschall was retired on a popout in foul territory. Holding a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Weaver recorded consecutive strikeouts of Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis. Weaver then allowed a single to Brooks Lee, but he would close the game out by striking out Byron Buxton, who had homered earlier in the game. This was Weaver's third straight scoreless appearance, and he seems to be leaving behind a woeful stretch when he allowed six runs on 1.2 innings across two outings between April 9 and April 11.

Atlanta placed Dodd on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left thoracic spine inflammation.

Atlanta has not provided a timetable for Dodd's return, but the nature of the injury suggests it could be a longer than minimum stay on the IL for the lefty. Dodd has been effective in two relief outings with the big club this season, allowing one run with a 4:1 K:BB over four innings.

Atlanta selected Carrasco's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Carrasco has been excellent so far this season with Gwinnett, putting up a 1.71 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with an 18:5 K:BB through 21 innings. The 39-year-old is slated to serve in a long-relief role for Atlanta.

Atlanta selected Ritchie's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Ritchie is set to make his major-league debut Thursday versus the Nationals. The 22-year-old has had a dominant run at Gwinnett to begin the 2026 campaign, collecting a 0.99 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB through 27.1 innings spanning five starts. It's likely to be just a spot start for Ritchie, as Spencer Strider (oblique) is due to rejoin the Atlanta rotation next week.

Boyd didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five across 4.2 innings.

The Cubs activated Boyd (biceps) from the 15-day injured list right before Wednesday's start, and the veteran delivered a solid outing before making way for Ben Brown, who earned the win after tossing 2.1 scoreless frames. Boyd couldn't complete five innings and exited after tossing 84 pitches, though he should be ready for a bigger workload in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Padres. Boyd has given up four runs (three earned) on 10.1 innings over his last two outings, which is a clear improvement from an Opening Day start in which he gave up six runs on 3.2 frames against the Nationals.

Brown (1-0) earned the win in relief Wednesday against the Phillies after tossing 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up three hits but striking out five.

Brown tossed 28 of his 37 pitches for strikes, and even though he gave up a double to Trea Turner in his first at-bat, he immediately retired Bryce Harper to close out the fifth inning. Brown also allowed baserunners in the following two innings, but he got the job done after striking out five of the final seven batters he faced. This was Brown's fourth consecutive scoreless outing, a stretch in which he's posted a 9:2 K:BB while allowing seven hits through 8.1 innings.

Walker (1-4) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out one.

Walker pitched in bulk relief after Wednesday's opener, Kyle Backhus, allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning of work. Walker has failed to pitch more than four innings in his last two starts, taking losses to Atlanta and the Cubs while allowing a combined 12 runs (11 earned) on 15 hits and a 5:4 K:BB through eight frames. Walker's next turn in the rotation should come against the Giants at home next week, but it's hard to trust him right now. He's allowed at least four earned runs in four of his five appearances this season while sporting an inflated 9.13 ERA with a 2.07 WHIP through 22.2 innings.

Rodriguez (2-0) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Rodriguez threw 61 of 96 pitches for strikes, but it wasn't a particularly convincing performance. He gave up a pair of solo home runs in this outing, putting him at four homers allowed over five starts this season. Rodriguez is at a 2.89 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB through 28 innings, but he's given up eight runs over his last two starts, so his early luck may be fading fast. The veteran southpaw is projected to make his next start on the road at Milwaukee.