MLB Player News

Littell (2-4) picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out three.

The 30-year-old right-hander put together his best performance of the season on 87 pitches (49 strikes), as Littell lasted at least five innings for the first time since April 22 and didn't serve up a homer for only the third time in nine trips to the mound. After a ghastly April, Littell has found a rhythm in May, posting a 2.13 ERA. 0.95 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB though 12.2 innings over three appearances, two of them as a bulk reliever. He'll look to keep rolling in his next turn through the rotation, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mets.

Nola didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 11-9 extra-inning win over the Pirates, coughing up six runs on six hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

The veteran right-hander labored through 80 pitches (47 strikes) and served up homers to Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna before getting lifted with the Phillies down 6-1, but Nola's offense was able to bail him out. It's the third time in his last five starts that Nola has been tagged for five or more runs, and he'll carry a 5.91 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB through 45.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Reds.

May didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks across six innings. He struck out three.

May has gone winless in his last four starts (0-2), but he's posted a quality start in each of those outings. He's now allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven outings, posting a 2.83 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 41.1 frames over that stretch. May will aim to keep this strong run going in his next start, scheduled to come against the Pirates.

Freeland (1-5) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Diamondbacks, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Freeland had a woeful outing Friday, and by the end of the first inning, he had given up six runs. While Freeland settled down afterward, the damage was already done. The veteran southpaw enjoyed a strong start to the season, but the wheels have fallen off of late. This was the fourth straight outing in which he allowed at least four earned runs, leading to an 11.50 ERA with a 2.17 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB across 18 innings over that dreadful stretch. Freeland is scheduled to make his next start against the Rangers next week.

Ashcraft allowed four runs on one hit and three walks without retiring a batter in the eighth inning of Friday's 7-6 win over Cleveland.

Ashcraft walked the first three batters he faced on 12 pitches before giving up a run-scoring single. His night was done after 15 pitches (three strikes) and more runs were charged to him when Brock Burke walked in two more runs and allowed a third on a sacrifice fly. Ashcraft, who entered Friday with three consecutive scoreless outings, is part of an unsettled closer mix since Emilio Pagan (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Since the injury, Ashcraft has allowed six runs with four walks and a blown save over four innings.

Kelly (3-3) tossed a complete game in Friday's win over the Rockies, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three without a walk over nine innings.

Kelly needed 100 pitches to record 27 outs Friday, and while he didn't overpower hitters, he looked in control all game long. He had outstanding run support, as the Diamondbacks erupted for six runs in the first inning and never looked back. Kelly has won his last two starts, posting a 9:3 K:BB while allowing two runs across 16 innings in that stretch. Kelly will try to extend his run of good results in his next start, scheduled for next week at home against the Giants.

Cabrera didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 10-5 victory over the White Sox, giving up three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters in 4.2 innings.

The Cubs' offense gave Cabrera a 4-1 lead to work with heading into the fifth inning, but the right-hander walked the first two batters he faced, both of whom eventually came around to score. He was taken out of the game after issuing his third free pass of the inning to Sam Antonacci, giving Cabrera his first start of the season with less than five innings pitched. Since starting the campaign with 11.2 consecutive shutout innings, the 28-year-old has surrendered at least three earned runs in each of his last seven starts and owns a 5.26 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in that span. His next chance to right the ship is expected to come at home against the Brewers.

Crow didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Twins, allowing one earned run on three hits and zero walks while striking out three batters across five-plus innings.

Crow excelled at limiting traffic against Minnesota, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The lone blemish against him came after he gave up back-to-back singles to begin the sixth, enabling Brooks Lee to drive in a run while grounding into a double play. Crow now boasts a 2.61 ERA and 0.77 WHIP two starts into his MLB career, and although his outing Friday was likely just another spot start, he's done well enough in a Brewers uniform to remain in consideration for more starts in the future.

Mahle (1-5) allowed five runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings to take the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Mahle did a fair job until the fifth inning, when he allowed a three-run home run to Nick Kurtz and an RBI single to Henry Bolte. This marks the fifth time Mahle has allowed at least four runs this season, though this is the first time all year he's had two poor outings in a row. The 31-year-old is now at a 5.59 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB through 46.2 innings over nine starts. He's projected for a road start versus the Diamondbacks in his next outing.

Abbott (3-2) earned the win against the Guardians on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out two across five innings.

Abbott limited the Guardians to just one run through five frames, and his Reds teammates scored enough runs for him to come away with the win, even with the team's bullpen yielding five runs across the eighth and ninth innings. Abbott had an 0-2 record with a 6.59 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 28.2 innings through his first six starts of the season. In his four starts since, he has a 3-0 record with a 1.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 22.2 innings. He'll look to keep the good times going in his next start, which is slated for next week against the Phillies in Philadelphia.