MLB Player News

Wheeler (8-4) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

It was a long day for Wheeler, who allowed four homers after having previously allowed only six long balls over his first 14 starts this season. The eight earned runs allowed matched a career high for Wheeler, who hadn't given up that many in a start since 2018. Sunday's poor effort raised his ERA from 2.16 to 2.84. Wheeler had won his previous eight decisions prior to Sunday's loss, which dropped him to 8-4 on the season. He'll look to get back on track during his next start, currently slated to take place next weekend when the Diamondbacks come to Philly for a rematch of last season's NLCS.

Kershaw (shoulder) will begin his rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw came out well from a series of recent simulated games and is now set to take the final step toward a return from offseason shoulder surgery. The left-hander is said to be ahead of progress in his recovery, though he'll almost certainly need several rehab outings before he's ready to come off the 60-day injured list and make his season debut for the big club. Kershaw remains in line to return around the All-Star break.

Taillon (3-3) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings against the Cardinals. He struck out three.

Taillon scattered baserunners throughout, completing only a single 1-2-3 inning, but was able to limit the damage with the only runs coming on a second-inning two-run homer by Pedro Pages. However, Taillon was given no run support and left the game after six still facing that same two-run deficit. It was the second consecutive quality start for Taillon, who has allowed just two runs in 12 innings over those two starts after having allowed 14 runs over 21.1 innings in his previous four. He'll look to keep things rolling the next time he toes the rubber, which is likely to be next weekend when the Mets roll into the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

Montgomery (5-4) picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

Sunday's start was Montgomery's best as a Diamondback, as he tied his season high in strikeouts while yielding no earned runs for the first time this year. The lone run scored while Montgomery was on the mound came in the third inning, when Danny Mendick came around to score after reaching on a throwing error by Montgomery. Montgomery has had a rollercoaster 2024 season, surrendering three or fewer runs in seven of his 11 appearances but giving up six or more runs three times. Overall, the 31-year-old owns a 6.00 ERA with a 39:21 K:BB across 57.0 innings. He's on track to face the Phillies next weekend.

Mikolas (5-6) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on four hits against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Mikolas held the Cubs scoreless through six, then was pulled following a one-out double by Ian Happ in the seventh. Happ later came around to score, but the Cardinals held the Cubs scoreless the rest of the way to secure the fifth win of the season for Mikolas. It was the second straight start Mikolas entered the seventh having allowed zero runs and the fifth straight quality start for Mikolas, who holds a 2.58 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over 31.1 innings during that stretch. The 35-year-old veteran will look to continue to turn back the clock in his next start, currently slated to take place next weekend when the Giants make their way to St. Louis.

Yamamoto was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain Sunday following an MRI, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Yamamoto was lifted after two innings in his start during Saturday's win over the Royals with what the Dodgers had termed as right tricep tightness. As expected, Yamamoto was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, but the Dodgers didn't provide an updated diagnosis on his injury until after the results of his MRI were read. Manager Dave Roberts said that while the injury is not "season ending," Yamamoto Is "not going to throw for a couple of weeks, then we'll see where we go from there." Fortunately for the Dodgers, they'll be getting some reinforcement to their rotation in the form of right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder), who is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week. After he was roughed up for five runs over one inning in his MLB debut March 21 against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, Yamamoto had been as good as advertised over his subsequent 13 starts, ringing up a 6-1 record, 2.34 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 82:16 K:BB over 73 innings.

Cease (6-6) took the loss as he went 3.2 innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits and three walks Sunday versus the Mets.

From the jump, Cease just didn't have his best stuff Sunday, as he allowed the first four hitters to score after serving up homers to Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. The 28-year-old gave up a season-high seven runs in what was his shortest outing of the campaign. After pitching to a 2.19 ERA over his first eight starts, the righty has run into a rough patch, giving up at least three runs in six of his last seven starts and seeing his ERA climb to 3.95 in the process.

Megill (2-3) pitched five innings to get the win Sunday vs the Padres. He gave up two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five.

Megill worked around jams in the first and fifth innings to pick up his second win in his last three starts. The 28-year-old righty has struggled getting deep into games, as he's pitched more than five innings in only one of his six starts this season. Despite this, he's been a steadying presence in the Mets' rotation with a 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Parker (5-3) picked up the win Sunday against Miami, allowing one earned run on six hits and zero walks while striking out four over six innings.

Parker's excellent rookie season continued as he turned in another quality start, his fourth over his past six games. During that span, the southpaw has pitched to a 3.03 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and a 25:8 K:BB across 35.2 innings. While Parker doesn't typically post high strikeout totals, he has been remarkably consistent all season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in all 12 of his starts. He will look to keep the success going in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend at Coors Field.

Luzardo (3-6) took the loss Sunday against Washington, allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings pitched.

The two runs charged to Luzardo were both solo home runs -- a first-inning shot by Lane Thomas followed by a fifth-inning blast courtesy of Jacob Young. While he yielded only two earned runs, Luzardo allowed baserunners in all five innings and mustered just two strikeouts. The hard-throwing southpaw has seen a steep drop-off in his strikeout rate compared to last year, his numbers plummeting from 10.48 K/9 to 7.83 K/9 this season. Overall, Luzardo has compiled a disappointing 5.00 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and a 58:22 K:BB across 66.2 innings. He will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend versus Seattle.