MLB Player News

Taillon didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Pirates, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts across six innings.

Taillon was in line for the loss, but the Cubs rallied back from a three-run deficit to tie it in the eighth before walking off the Pirates in the ninth. Taillon clearly didn't have his best stuff, but when he wasn't serving up home runs to Brandon Lowe, Taillon was piling up the strikeouts. The right-hander fell one short of his career high of 11, which he recorded Sept. 18 of the 2018 season. It was just the fourth time in 226 career regular-season starts that Taillon has recorded double-digit strikeouts. The 34-year-old owns a 4.86 ERA and 17:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings but has served up four home runs over three starts. Taillon is in line to face the Mets at home Saturday.

Pushard (knee) tossed a 20-pitch bullpen session at full intensity Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Pushard threw at about 75 percent effort in his last side session Thursday, so he's taken another marginal step forward in his recovery from right knee patellar tendinitis. The rookie right-hander is expected to throw a live batting practice session in the coming days and could then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment later in the week.

Gallen did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Phillies, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts over five innings.

Gallen opened with five scoreless frames before allowing five straight hits and three runs without recording an out in the sixth. It was a tough finish to an otherwise solid outing, though he generated just four swinging strikes on 84 pitches and yielded 15 hard-hit balls. The 30-year-old owns a 3.60 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB across 20 innings in the early going and lines up for a home matchup against the Blue Jays next weekend.

Abbott (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Angels, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out one.

The left-hander was never quite able to find his footing, holding the Angels scoreless in just one of his three innings on the afternoon. Sunday disrupted a three-start streak with at least five innings to open the new year for Abbott, who gave up a season-high eight knocks as well. Abbott owns a rocky 5.85 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB over 20 frames so far, and he'll also be trying to get into the win column for the first time this year in his next scheduled outing against the Twins.

Sproat underwent an examination on his right knee that came back clean Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sproat landed awkwardly on his right knee on a diving attempt to field a grounder hit by Nationals second baseman Nasim Nunez in the top of the seventh inning Saturday, but he appears to have avoided a long-term injury. The right-hander entered the contest out of the bullpen, delivering 3.2 innings of one-run ball while allowing four hits and three walks. It's unclear if Sproat's next outing will come as a starter or out of the pen again, but the fact that he's healthy is good news.

Alcantara (1-1) took the loss Sunday against the Tigers, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

On the heels of dominating the Rockies, White Sox and Reds in each of his first three starts, respectively, Alcantara floundered in perhaps his toughest test of the season so far. It was the eighth time in the right-hander's career that he was knocked around for double-digit hits, and he surrendered at least seven runs for the eighth time in his career. Despite Sunday's hiccup, Alcantara still boasts a 2.67 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB through 30.1 innings ahead of his next start versus the Brewers.

Harrison (knee/wrist) underwent an MRI that came back clean Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Harrison was dealing with some knee discomfort after tossing 4.1 innings and surrendering two runs on four hits and a walk while punching out four batters in his outing Saturday against Washington. The southpaw took a throw off his knee from teammate Gary Sanchez while trying to cover first base in the first inning, ultimately causing him to take a fall. The team had him undergo additional imaging, and he appears to have avoided any significant damage, though Harrison is still dealing with some soreness in his wrist from the wipeout. The 24-year-old's status will be worth keeping an eye on ahead of his scheduled next start Thursday against Toronto.

Peralta (1-1) took the loss Sunday against the Athletics, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Peralta was touched up for a pair of extra-base hits, with one leaving the yard off the bat of Nick Kurtz in the third inning. It was an otherwise strong outing by the star right-hander, who registered his longest start of the year thus far and has fanned at least five in each of his first four appearances. Peralta owns a quality 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB through 21 frames, and he'll be trying to build off Sunday's performance next weekend versus the Cubs.

Painter struck out seven and allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk across five innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Slated to make his third start of the season heading into Sunday, Painter ended up being scratched less than an hour before opening pitch after developing a migraine. Any headache Painter might have been experiencing wasn't enough to keep him from pitching, as the Phillies instead opted to have him come on in bulk relief behind Zach Pop, who started and worked the first two innings of the game. Painter proceeded to deliver a solid performance out of the bullpen, and the strong effort could help his case for remaining in the rotation on a longer-term basis. The Phillies could get Zack Wheeler (shoulder) back from the injured list as soon as next Sunday, but Painter appears likely to retain the No. 5 starter's role over Taijuan Walker, who has struggled to a 7.36 ERA and 1.91 WHIP through his first three outings.

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander has spent the first few weeks of the season at Triple-A and will now receive his first look in the majors of 2026. Dodd made 28 relief appearances for Atlanta last season and pitched well with a 3.60 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB over 35 innings.