MLB Player News

Civale (hamstring) didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Pirates after striking out three batters and allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks in four innings.

Civale turned in an up-and-down performance in his first start for Milwaukee since March 30 after he had been on the 15-day injured list for nearly two months while recovering from a strained left hamstring. The 29-year-old right-hander has now given up four home runs over only seven innings this season, and he also hit a batter Thursday while throwing just 42 of his 73 pitches for strikes. Civale was operating under a restricted workload in his return, but he should be able to push his pitch count up to the 80-to-90 range in his next start, which will likely come early next week against the Red Sox in MIlwaukee.

Smith-Shawver allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus Washington on Thursday.

Smith-Shawver's start was pushed back a day after Wednesday's rainout, and he didn't pitch well. The right-hander endured his worst start of the season, with the second and fourth innings being particularly troublesome. One silver lining was that he didn't allow a home run, but this start was discouraging after he'd allowed just two runs (one earned) across his first 19.2 innings in May. He's now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 41.2 innings over eight starts this season. Smith-Shawver's next outing is projected to be at Philadelphia, which is a tough matchup but one that will allow fantasy managers to see if he can bounce back effectively.

Williams allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Williams was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, but that day's contest was rained out. The right-hander didn't benefit from the extra rest, struggling out of the gate by allowing first-inning solo home runs to Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna. The Nationals bounced back from that, but Williams was charged with three more runs in the fourth. He's now surrendered at least four runs in five straight starts, with Thursday being his shortest outing of the season. Williams has a 6.39 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB across 49.1 innings over 10 starts. He's tentatively projected for a road start in Seattle next week.

The Rockies are expected to recall Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Friday's game against the Yankees, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Gordon will be taking the place of Chase Dollander (forearm), who landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. The 27-year-old Gordon gave up four earned runs in 6.1 innings during his season debut against the Tigers earlier this month, and he hasn't had much success in Triple-A either, logging a 6.23 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 39 frames. Given his recent body of work and an upcoming matchup against one of the most formidable offenses in the majors, fantasy managers are safe to keep Gordon off their radar.

Marquez (1-7) took the loss Thursday against the Phillies, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

While Colorado failed to provide Marquez with any run support in an eventual shutout loss, it was an encouraging performance from the right-hander, who's now held opponents to just one earned run over seven innings in two of his last three starts. Still, the 30-year-old Marquez remains a risky commodity for fantasy purposes -- his ERA still sits at an ugly 7.66 with a 1.68 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB across 10 starts (47 innings). Marquez currently lines up for a tough road matchup with the Cubs in his next outing.

Suarez (3-0) earned the win Thursday over Colorado, allowing six hits and three walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

After allowing seven runs in just 3.2 innings during his first outing this year, Suarez has responded with three straight wins and quality starts, allowing just three runs over 20.2 frames in that span. Overall, the southpaw sports a 3.70 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB since returning from the back injury that delayed the start of his season. Suarez is currently lined up to face Atlanta at home in his next start.

Kolek did not factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-6 extra-innings loss against the Blue Jays. He went six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts.

After a clean first two starts in which he didn't allow a run, Kolek has now surrendered eight earned runs over his last two starts spanning 11 innings. Regardless, the 28-year-old has certainly delivered all that's been asked of him as the Padres continue to bide time before the return of veteran Yu Darvish (elbow). Kolek's ERA is up to 2.84 following Thursday's quality start.

Rodriguez is expected to enter Thursday's game in Pittsburgh in relief after starting pitcher Aaron Civale (hamstring), Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Previous reports had pegged Rodriguez as likely to make a start this week, but the Brewers have decided to go ahead and activate Civale from the injured list and have Rodriguez come out of the bullpen. Rodriguez is stretched out to provide length, if needed, but Civale is in line to throw 75-to-85 pitches Thursday, so Rodriguez might not be needed for more than an inning or two.

Civale (hamstring) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Civale is slated to throw 75-to-85 pitches in what will be his first start for Milwaukee since he went down with a strained left hamstring in late March. The veteran hurler made two rehab starts with Triple-A Nashville, tossing nine scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB. Carlos Rodriguez is expected to work in long relief once Civale exits the contest.

The Giants placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a right pectoral strain, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Bob Melvin revealed Wednesday that Verlander was bound for the IL and that transaction is now official. The veteran hurler began experiencing pectoral soreness prior to his last start over the weekend against the Athletics and was unable to make enough progress in between outings to avoid the IL. Verlander will be eligible for activation June 3, but it's too soon to know whether he will be ready to go on that date.