MLB Player News

Knack covered just 3.1 innings Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out one during a 6-5 win against the Mets. He didn't factor in the decision.

It was a tough outing for a pitcher who looked like he was turning a corner after back-to-back quality starts. Of Knack's 86 pitches Thursday, 40 of them were balls, leading to a season-high five walks. He also surrendered a season-high three home runs, though the fact all three were solo shots limited the damage. Knack has given up nine home runs in his past five outings, partially leading to his 5.12 ERA on the season. He isn't guaranteed to stick in the rotation, but the right-hander is tentatively scheduled to make his next start on the road at San Diego.

Peterson didn't factor into the decision Thursday after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six in seven innings during a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Peterson continues to pitch well in 2025, with the three earned runs given up Thursday tying his season high through 12 outings. He's been up to the challenge in his two starts against the Dodgers with five runs allowed across 14.2 innings. The 29-year-old has thrown at least six innings in five of his last six starts and sports a 2.58 ERA over that timeframe. Peterson is next slated to start at home against the Nationals next week.

Rea (4-2) picked up the win Thursday against the Nationals, allowing five hits and one walk with no strikeouts over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Drew Pomeranz handled the first inning before handing the ball off to Rea, who held Washington scoreless despite not recording a strikeout. It was a much-needed bounce-back outing for Rea, who allowed 12 runs and four homers across his previous two appearances. It was also Rea's first outing with fewer than two walks since April 18. He'll look to keep the ball rolling next time out, but he's tentatively scheduled to face a potent Phillies offense.

Irvin (5-2) took the loss Thursday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings.

Irvin added a tally in the loss column for the first time in six starts and failed to complete six innings for a second straight outing. Before that, Irvin had tossed six innings in seven of his previous eight appearances. Through 13 starts this season, Irvin owns a 4.02 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and a 50:22 K:BB over 78.1 innings. He's on track to face the Mets on the road next time out.

Liberatore exited Thursday's start in the second game of a doubleheader against the Royals due to fatigue, Jim Hayes reports.

Liberatore labored through four innings, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and a walk. His velocity was also down to 89.8 mph in his final at-bat, so fatigue is seemingly the best news possible. It's unclear if Liberatore will require further testing or whether he will make his next turn through the rotation.

Woodford signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday.

The Yankees released Woodford on Sunday, but he found a new opportunity quickly. He'll be a candidate to provide depth out of the Cubs' bullpen but has yet to appear in a major-league game in 2025.

Liberatore exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Cardinals' head athletic trainer, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports

Liberatore struggled across four innings prior to his exit, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and one walk. The exact nature of the injury is unclear, but his velocity dipped to 89.5 mph against the final batter he faced, per John Denton of MLB.com.

Cease (1-5) took the loss Thursday against the Giants, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

All three of the runs charged to Cease came in the third inning. After he allowed two walks and a single to load the bases, Willy Adames drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Cease surrendered a two-run double to Dominic Smith with two outs. The 29-year-old Cease has now gone 11 straight starts without a win. His ERA sits at 4.72 with a 1.31 WHIP and 85:24 K:BB across 13 starts (68.2 innings) this season. He's currently scheduled to face the Dodgers at home in his next outing.

Wrobleski is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Friday against the Cardinals, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

The Dodgers continue to shuffle the back end of their rotation, giving Wrobleski his first chance to start in the majors since May 15. He's had mixed results in two starts, though he completed four shutout innings with a 4:0 K:BB in his last opportunity with Los Angeles on May 15 versus the Athletics. Wrobleski has worked as a traditional starter with Oklahoma City, so he should be able to handle a relatively large workload Friday if he's efficient and effective.

Ray (8-1) earned the win Thursday over the Padres, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out nine.

Ray gave up a two-run homer to Manny Machado in the third inning, but he'd stop the damage there, blanking San Diego over his final four frames en route to his eighth win, tying Hunter Brown and Carlos Rodon for the MLB lead. Ray has been a revelation in San Francisco so far this year -- the southpaw has gone seven innings in three of his last four outings, lowering his ERA to 2.44 with a 1.07 WHIP and 87:31 K:BB across 13 starts (77.1 innings). Ray is currently slated to face the Rockies on the road in his next start.