MLB Player News

Freeland (0-3) took the loss Sunday at San Diego, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out two.

The veteran southpaw is now three starts from the record for most games started in Rockies franchise history, currently held by Aaron Cook at 206. Freeland stumbled out of the gate in this appearance, allowing four runs on four hits in the first inning. The 31-year-old has had a tough beginning to the season, sporting a 4.88 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 24 innings; however, better things may be around the bend for Freeland, as he's pitched to a solid 2.49 FIP with 17:2 K:BB. He currently lines up to make his next start at home against the Nationals this weekend.

Quantrill didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Nationals. He allowed three runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out two over five innings.

Quantrill gave up one walk over his first two starts, but his command of the strike zone was off Sunday as he issued five free passes. He managed to limit the damage to three runs despite allowing 12 baserunners but came away with a no-decision. Quantrill has begun the season with a 5.79 ERA and 1.79 WHIP across 14 innings, and his next start is slated for next weekend on the road against the Phillies.

Gore (1-2) took the loss against the Marlins on Sunday. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out seven across six innings.

Gore needed 105 pitches (of which 64 were strikes, including 11 whiffs) to reach six innings Sunday, and while he fanned seven batters for a second consecutive game, he wasn't able to get enough run support to avoid the loss. Gore leads the National League with 32 strikeouts, and through four starts he's registered a 3.52 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 23 innings. He'll look to get back into the win column in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next weekend on the road against the Rockies.

Mlodzinski (1-2) took the loss against the Reds on Sunday. He allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

Mlodzinski got through the first two innings without issue, but he gave up a two-run single to Santiago Espinal in the third frame. Mlodzinski found himself in trouble again in the fifth frame and was tagged for two more runs, and he wasn't able to get enough run support to avoid his second loss of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander generated only eight whiffs and has started the season with a 6.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 13 innings. Mlodzinski will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Guardians.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Sunday that Steele will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his flexor tendon and address UCL damage in his left elbow, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Counsell didn't go into specifics regarding the extent of the UCL damage, but if Steele requires a Tommy John surgery or internal brace procedure, his availability for the start of the 2026 season would also be affected. Steele was initially hopeful for a minimum-length stay on the 15-day injured list after he was deactivated Wednesday due to what the Cubs termed as left elbow tendinitis, but a more significant injury was detected after he received two medical opinions on his arm. With Steele now done for the rest of the 2025 season, the Cubs should have permanent spots in the rotation available for both Ben Brown and Colin Rea, at least until Javier Assad (oblique) is back from the IL.

Greene (2-1) earned the win against the Pirates on Sunday. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out eight across seven scoreless innings.

Greene got off to a bit of a rocky start after allowing a double and a walk in the first inning, but he was able to escape the frame without allowing a run. He yielded one more hit in the second inning, but he proceeded to retire the next 17 batters he faced and extended his scoreless streak to 18.2 innings in the process. Greene generated 18 first-pitch strikes and 16 whiffs across 98 pitches (71 strikes), and the 25-year-old right-hander has started the season with a 0.98 ERA and 0.58 WHIP across 27.2 innings, with his 31 strikeouts ranking second in the National League behind MacKenzie Gore (32). Greene is tentatively slated to face the Orioles on the road next weekend, when he'll look to earn his third straight win.

Sproat gave up one run on two hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Saturday's start for Triple-A Syracuse.

After a bumpy first outing this season, Sproat has bounced back to post an 8:2 K:BB over his last two starts and 8.1 innings for Syracuse. The 24-year-old righty tossed 75 pitches (51 strikes) in Saturday's appearance, and while he'll need to be more efficient before he'll be a real option for a spot start with the Mets, he's making progress toward his big-league debut.

Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Though Atlanta won't welcome Spencer Strider (elbow) back from the 15-day injured list until next week, Smith-Shawver will head to the minors now, with the team electing to proceed with Bryce Elder as its No. 5 starter. Smith-Shawver went 0-2 with a 4.61 ERA and 1.98 WHIP while issuing eight walks and striking out 17 over 13.2 innings, but an elevated .447 BABIP and 16.7 HR/FB% suggest that he likely would have been due for some positive regression. The 22-year-old could be back in the majors quickly if Elder struggles, or another rotation spot opens up due to injury.

Sasaki (0-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Sasaki continues to be a work in progress, and his stat line would have looked a lot different had center fielder Andy Pages not brought back what looked to be a grand slam off the bat of Michael Busch in the third inning. Still, Saturday was another step forward for the young hurler, as he completed five frames for the first time in his big-league career. Sasaki also showed much better control than he did earlier in the campaign, as he threw 50 of his 81 pitches for strikes. The right-hander's 12:13 K:BB through 13.2 frames remains ugly, but Sasaki has at least been better with a 7:4 K:BB across his past two starts. Despite his inconsistencies so far, Sasaki has managed a 3.29 ERA, and Los Angeles appears comfortable letting him work through his growing pains with the big club rather than in the minors.

Brown (2-1) earned the win over the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing five hits and striking out five batters over six scoreless innings.

Brown cruised through six, as Los Angeles didn't manage any extra-base hits against him. The right-hander came into the contest having issued nine free passes over 11.2 innings, but he had outstanding control Saturday, throwing 59 of 84 pitches for strikes and finishing the outing without issuing a walk. Brown has pitched in four games this season -- three times as a starter and once in relief -- and has posted a 5.09 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB over 17.2 frames. His next start lines up to be against Arizona at home.