MLB Player News

King did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's loss to the Yankees. He allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings while striking out two.

The only damage against King came in the fourth inning when he served up a solo shot to Aaron Judge and an RBI single to Jasson Dominguez. King tied season lows with just two punchouts and five whiffs. He completed six innings for the first time since firing a complete game against the Rockies on April 13 and was in line for the victory before San Diego's bullpen gave up 10 runs in the seventh inning. King is sporting an impressive 2.22 ERA with a 48:14 K:BB through eight starts. He's currently in line to face the Angels at home next week.

Lord will move back to the bullpen after starting the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. The right-hander was the pitcher of record in the Nationals' 9-1 loss to the Guardians in Game 2, dropping to 1-4 after allowing three earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings.

With Michael Soroka (biceps) due to return from the injured list Wednesday, Lord will be squeezed out of the rotation and will shift to a relief role. After taking the loss Tuesday despite delivering a quality start, the 25-year-old righty has a 4.45 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 28.1 innings over nine appearances (six starts). He'll likely be first in line to join the rotation the next time an opening emerges.

Soroka (biceps) will be activated from the injured list and start Wednesday against the Guardians, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Manager Dave Martinez said Soroka will claim the fifth spot in the Nationals' rotation upon returning, which will force Brad Lord to move back to the bullpen. Soroka has been on the injured list since early April after suffering a biceps strain during his first start of the season. He has since made three rehab starts in the minors, most recently striking out 11 batters across five innings of one-run ball at Triple-A Rochester.

Liberatore (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday against the Pirates after allowing one run on three hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.

During what's already been a promising start to the year for Liberatore, he delivered perhaps his finest performance of the campaign so far. The 2018 first-rounder set season highs in innings and punchouts, generating 17 whiffs in the process. Although his three walks did mark a season worst, Liberatore threw at least six frames and surrendered two runs or fewer for the fourth time in his past five outings. The left-hander owns an outstanding 3.07 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 38:6 K:BB over 41 innings in 2025, but he's in line for a tough test in his next scheduled appearance against the Phillies next week.

Skenes (3-4) took the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals after allowing two runs on three hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out six.

While Skenes matched a season high in walks, he also tied a season best with just three hits allowed. After issuing only four free passes through his first six starts in 2025, Skenes has now given up eight walks in his past two outings. On a positive note, the star right-hander has lasted at least five innings in each of his eight appearances this season. He'll take an excellent 2.77 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB over 48.2 frames into his scheduled next start, which lines up for next week in a difficult assignment against the Mets.

Burnes (shoulder) remains on track to make his next start Saturday against the Dodgers in Arizona, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Burnes was initially slated to make his seventh start of the season Monday, but the Diamondbacks ended up skipping his turn after he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation following an MRI late last week. Following the MRI, Burnes received a cortisone shot to address the shoulder issue, and the injection appears to have had the desired effect. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and if all goes well, the Diamondbacks will lock him in for a start this weekend.

The Diamondbacks recalled Mena from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

With Tommy Henry headed back to the minors, the Diamondbacks will call upon Mena to presumably serve as a long reliever for the big-league squad. The 22-year-old righty gave up four earned runs in three innings during his MLB debut last season, and he's turned in a 5.76 ERA through 29.2 innings in Triple-A this year.

Knack is scheduled to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to pitch in Wednesday's game against the Marlins, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The right-hander joined the Dodgers as a member of the taxi squad Tuesday and will make his fourth MLB appearance of the season a day later. Manager Dave Roberts said a decision has yet to be made on whether Knack will start the contest or follow an opener. The 27-year-old has given up seven earned runs with a 7:6 K:BB across 8.2 big-league frames this year.

Dollander will not start Tuesday versus the Tigers after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday. Dollander will likely be simply pushed back a day to start Wednesday. However, he did exit his last outing with a split fingernail, so the Rockies might elect to give him extra rest.

Ashby (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate on Tuesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby has been out since early March with a right oblique strain but has finally been cleared to appear in a game. The left-hander's rehab assignment figures to be a lengthy one given how much time he's missed, but he could be back before the end of May. Ashby was competing for a spot in the Brewers' rotation before he got hurt, but it's not clear whether they'll bring him back as a starter or reliever.