MLB Player News

Ray (7-6) allowed one unearned run on four hits and a walk while striking out two over eight innings to earn the win over Atlanta on Sunday.

Ray has not allowed an earned run in his last three games, giving up just two unearned runs on eight hits and seven walks over his last 22.1 innings. He's won all three of those outings, and he gave up just seven runs (five earned) across 33 innings in June. For the season, the southpaw has a 3.39 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 82:43 K:BB across 95.2 innings through 17 appearances (16 starts). Ray's next outing is projected to be on the road in Colorado. He gave up three runs (one earned) over just four innings May 31 at Coors Field.

Kelly (5-8) took the loss Sunday against the Rays, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out three.

Kelly struggled to find a rhythm Sunday, tossing just two scoreless innings on the afternoon. The month of June wasn't particularly kind to the 37-year-old right-hander, who has now coughed up 23 runs to go along with a concerning 14:11 K:BB across his last 28.1 frames. Kelly has also taken a loss in each of his past five starts, so he'll be hoping to turn the page when he brings a 5.84 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 47:33 K:BB over 81.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Brewers.

Sears will start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sears will receive a second turn through the rotation after coming up from Triple-A El Paso and submitting a strong effort in his 2026 MLB debut last Wednesday. In a home matchup with Atlanta, Sears struck out five batters and yielded two earned runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings en route to claiming a win. Sears' numbers at the Triple-A level this season (7.92 ERA, 1.84 WHIP in 63.2 innings) have been less than stellar, however, so fantasy managers may want to tread carefully while he heads into a two-start week against a pair of tough opponents on the road. After Tuesday's outing, Sears will line up for a second start versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Littell (7-6) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The O's took an early lead off Littell on Sunday thanks to Pete Alonso's two-run homer in the first inning. However, the right-hander held Baltimore scoreless over his final four frames while the Nats rallied for an eventual 6-4 victory. Littell, who worked as a traditional starter Sunday after appearing in bulk relief in his last outing against the Phillies, sports a 5.29 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 49:25 K:BB across 80 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Pirates at home his next time out.

Williamson (shoulder) injured his finger while working out, and his rehab program has been pushed back by about 10 days as a result, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

The shoulder injury that sent Williamson to the injured list April 30 remains the primary concern. By the time Williamson completes a rehab assignment and is ready to return from the 60-day IL, the Reds likely won't have a rotation spot available to him, as Hunter Greene (elbow) is expected back from the shelf during the upcoming week.

The Cubs recalled Wicks from Triple-A Iowa, and he's expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Ryan Rolison during Sunday's game against the Brewers, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The left-hander made two starts for Chicago in late May and gave up 11 earned runs across 6.1 innings before being returned to Iowa. Wicks will now get another look in the majors, this time following an opener. In four starts at Triple-A since that brief stint in the big leagues, the 26-year-old surrendered 18 earned runs over 15.2 frames.

Holmes allowed one hit and no walks while striking out four across four scoreless innings out of the bullpen during Saturday's 5-0 loss to the Giants.

Manager Walt Weiss indicated that Holmes would be available as a reliever this weekend if needed, and the skipper called upon the right-hander after starter Bryce Elder surrendered five runs across four innings. Holmes lasted fewer than five frames in each of his last three starts and had a 6.10 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 8:10 K:BB across 10.1 innings during those appearances, but the strong showing out of the bullpen could help him to get back on track. The 30-year-old was expected to make his usual turn through the starting rotation this week if he went unused in relief, so he should slot back into the rotation next weekend versus the Mets after the bullpen appearance.

Pallante (9-5) took the loss against Miami on Saturday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 6.2 innings.

The 11 knocks allowed by Pallante marked a season-worst total, though only two of those hits -- both doubles -- went for extra bases. The right-hander was unable to navigate around the steady flow of traffic, as Miami scored in four of the seven innings during which he pitched. It wasn't all bad news for Pallante though, as he gave St. Louis 6.2 innings, and he's now completed at least six frames in four straight starts. Pallante entered Saturday having logged five wins, a 2.68 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP across his previous seven starts, so the setback against the red-hot Marlins shouldn't impact his strong grip on a rotation spot. He's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Cubs.

Gusto surrendered three hits and issued one walk while striking out four batters over 3.1 scoreless innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Saturday.

Gusto continues to be held to a throttled workload -- over five starts, he's yet to complete more than 4.2 innings and has gone beyond 70 pitches just once. Though the right-hander was limited to 63 pitches Saturday, he pitched quite well, throwing 41 of those offerings for strikes and limiting the Cardinals to three singles, a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Gusto was rocked for five runs over 4.2 frames against Philadelphia on June 15, but he's rebounded nicely by giving up just one run across 7.2 innings while registering a 10:3 K:BB over his subsequent two starts. That should earn him continued turns in the rotation -- at least until Janson Junk (shin) is ready to return -- but Gusto's fantasy value will be limited until he's able to start pitching deeper into games.

Vasquez (6-6) allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Dodgers.

Kyle Hart allowed one run over two innings as the opener. For a while, the plan to have Vasquez work in bulk relief was on track, but the Dodgers' bats came alive in the sixth inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing to spark the rally. Vasquez has had a poor June, allowing 22 runs (19 earned) over 20.2 innings across five appearances. He's now at a 4.56 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 81 innings over 16 outings (15 starts) this season. He's projected to make his next appearance in a rematch with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so it may be best to avoid Vasquez for that outing.