MLB Player News

Cease did not factor into the decision in Friday's 11-8 win over the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Despite generating 16 whiffs out of his 98 total pitches, Cease managed to strike out only five, tying a season low also reached May 20 against Atlanta and April 27 against Philadelphia. The Padres ace was cruising through five innings, allowing just two baserunners; however, he unraveled in a 25-pitch sixth inning, allowing four baserunners and departing with just one out. Cease's ERA stands at 3.42 with 87:21 K:BB in 71 innings this season. He is tentatively slated to face the Angels on the road in his next start.

Lopez (3-2) yielded a run on four hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Athletics.

Lopez worked around some trouble throughout the contest and turned in one of his best starts of the year. He recorded a season-high eight strikeouts with 16 whiffs, including nine with his slider. It was the first time he recorded more than five punchouts in a start since April 30. Lopez has produced six quality starts in 10 appearances, resulting in a 1.73 ERA through 57.1 frames. His next start is projected to be in Washington.

Corbin (1-6) yielded two runs on six hits and three walks over six innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against Cleveland.

Corbin coughed up a pair of runs in the third inning but otherwise worked around danger to deliver a quality start. It was his second straight quality start and third in 12 appearances this season. The veteran southpaw forced 13 swinging strikes, marking a new season best and his first time hitting double digits in that category since April 28. Corbin will carry a 5.83 ERA into his next outing, which is lined up for next week at home against the Mets.

Mikolas (3-6) took the loss Friday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

All three of the runs against Mikolas came in the second inning, including a pair on an Edmundo Sosa homer. While Mikolas would blank the Phillies over his final four frames, St. Louis could only muster a pair of runs off Aaron Nola in an eventual 4-2 loss. The 35-year-old Mikolas has started to turn things around after a rough start to the year, delivering quality starts in three of his last four outings. He's lowered his ERA to 5.54 with a 1.32 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB across 65 innings this year. Mikolas is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Astros in his next start.

Nola (7-2) earned the win Friday over the Cardinals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was another strong outing from Nola, who held St. Louis to a pair of solo home runs in a winning effort. The 30-year-old right-hander has held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last four outings. Nola's ERA now sits at 3.03 on the year with a 1.03 WHIP and 71:22 K:BB across 12 starts (77.1 innings). He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week at home against the Brewers.

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

It's the fifth straight start that Ashcraft's failed to record an out in the sixth inning -- he's allowed at least three runs in each of those outings. The 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 on the year with a 4.76 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 47:21 K:BB across 11 starts (58.2 innings). The Reds will look for more length out of Ashcraft in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Colorado.

The Diamondbacks recalled Cecconi from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

With Zac Gallen (hamstring) headed for the 15-day injured list, Cecconi will come up from the minors in order to fill the open spot in Arizona's rotation. The 24-year-old righty has been inconsistent in the majors this season, giving up two runs or less three times but also allowing six earned runs during his other three outings. He threw seven shutout innings while striking out nine batters during his most recent start in the minors, but he remains an extremely risky fantasy option.

The Diamondbacks placed Gallen on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right hamstring strain.

Gallen was pulled from Thursday's start against the Mets after throwing just six pitches without recording an out. He has been dealing with a right hamstring issue since April 26, and the 28-year-old right-hander will now be on the shelf for an extended period of time after aggravating the injury. It's unclear how long Gallen will be sidelined, but if he misses only the minimum, that would put him in line to return June 15 against the White Sox. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Slade Cecconi from Triple-A Reno.

Assad didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Both of the runs charged to Assad came in the fourth inning when the Reds strung together three straight singles. Still, it was a positive effort for Assad overall after he'd given up seven runs (six earned) over 9.2 innings in his previous two outings, though he now has seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB through 63.1 innings this season. Assad's currently in line for a rematch with Cincinnati on the road in his next start.

The Padres are still evaluating Darvish's left hamstring injury and have not ruled out him making his next scheduled start Tuesday versus the Angels, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Darvish had to be lifted from Wednesday's outing against the Marlins after his hamstring tightened up on him. While it's a good sign he hasn't been placed on the 10-day injured list yet, no final determination has been made regarding his status for his next turn or a possible IL stint. More clarity on Darvish's situation should be available in the coming days.