MLB Player News
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Andrew Abbott SP | CIN
Reds' Andrew Abbott: Strong start wasted Wednesday
Abbott came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out four.
A second-inning solo shot by Christian Walker accounted for all the damage off the southpaw, but Brandon Pfaadt was equally effective for Arizona. The quality start was Abbott's third of the season, and he's given up more than two earned runs only once in nine outings to begin the campaign. He'll take a 3.06 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 50 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Padres.
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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Braves' Charlie Morton: Struggles in short start
Morton (3-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Cubs, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.
Morton worked a high pitch count, needing 76 pitches (48 strikes) to get through three frames in his shortest outing of the season. He had pitched into the sixth inning in each of his other seven starts. The 40-year-old's poor start caused his ERA to balloon to 3.52 from 3.14, and he's sporting a 1.15 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB over 46 innings. Assuming there's not an injury at play, Morton is tentatively projected for a road rematch with the Cubs in his next start.
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Joey Lucchesi RP | LAA
Mets' Joey Lucchesi: Struggles in spot start
Lucchesi (0-1) took the loss against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings.
It certainly wasn't an ideal matchup for Lucchesi to make his first start of the season, and he didn't do himself any favors in issuing four free passes. Three of the walks came in the fifth frame, and all three of the recipients came around to score. The left-hander was also tormented by Bryce Harper, who hit a solo homer against him in the first inning and then sent him to the showers with a two-run double in the fifth. Lucchesi may return to the minors in short order with Tylor Megill (shoulder) expected to rejoin New York's rotation Sunday or Monday.
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Ranger Suarez SP | BOS
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Lowers ERA to 1.37
Suarez (8-0) earned the win over the Mets on Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.
Suarez allowed a run in each of the first and third frames, but neither run was earned. The left-hander thus lowered his season ERA to 1.37, third best in the majors among qualified starters. Suarez also leads the league with eight victories and a 0.76 WHIP, and he has yet to take a loss. He's among the early contenders for Cy Young consideration in the National League and has been one of fantasy's most impactful sleepers.
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Michael King SP | SD
Padres' Michael King: Can't contain Colorado
King (3-4) took the loss against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven betters over 5.1 innings.
King fell behind when he yielded three runs in the second inning, and San Diego's offense never put up a fight against Austin Gomber and a trio of Rockies relievers. King had been on a roll coming into Wednesday, putting up 13 scoreless frames over his previous two starts, but he's been very inconsistent this season, giving up at least four runs in four of his 10 appearances. Altogether, he's registered a mediocre 4.31 ERA and 1.36 WHIP along with a 61:26 K:BB through 54.1 innings.
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Austin Gomber SP | TEX
Rockies' Austin Gomber: Breaks into win column
Gomber (1-2) earned the win against San Diego on Wednesday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and walked two batters while striking out five.
The only two hits Gomber allowed were singles that the Padres couldn't cash in. The southpaw completed six innings for the fourth straight game and notched his third consecutive quality start. Wednesday's victory was his first of the campaign, but it was overdue based on how he's been pitching of late. Over his past three outings, Gomber has allowed just one earned run across 18.2 frames despite a mediocre 13:6 K:BB.
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Javier Assad RP | CHC
Cubs' Javier Assad: Continues to shine as starter
Assad (4-0) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against Atlanta. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out seven.
Assad has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in all nine of his starts this season, which has allowed him to compile a stellar 1.49 ERA across 48.1 innings. The young righty was effective as a long reliever last year and it was uncertain in spring training if he'd be able to grab a rotation spot, but at this point, it would seem unlikely that he's moved back to the bullpen given his strong play. Assad will look to keep rolling as a starter in his next scheduled outing, which is penciled in for Tuesday against this same Atlanta squad.
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Jaxon Wiggins P | CHC
Cubs' Jaxon Wiggins: Makes pro debut
Wiggins (elbow) struck out two and allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk over 1.2 innings in his season debut Friday for the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.
The No. 68 overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Wiggins didn't pitch last summer while he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he had earlier in the year. Wiggins was fully cleared ahead of the start of the Arizona Complex League season and tossed 33 pitches Friday in his professional debut. The Cubs will likely be cautious with the 22-year-old right-hander's workload this season coming off a major surgery, but he should report to Single-A Myrtle Beach or High-A South Bend after making another appearance or two in rookie ball.
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Brody McCullough SP | CHC
Cubs' Brody McCullough: Lands on Double-A IL
Double-A Tennessee placed McCullough on its 7-day injured list Sunday with an unspecified injury.
McCullough opened the season on South Bend's 7-day injured list while he completed his recovery from offseason knee surgery, but he was activated April 19 and earned a quick promotion after delivering a 1.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB across 10.2 innings in three outings in the Midwest League. The 24-year-old right-hander impressed in his debut for Tennessee last Friday, striking out seven Chattanooga batters over four innings while allowing one run on three hits and one walk. However, he seems to have suffered another injury coming out of his Double-A debut, and it's unclear when he might be ready to return to the Tennessee rotation.
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Patrick Corbin SP | TOR
Nationals' Patrick Corbin: Gets little help in loss
Corbin (1-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings as the Nationals were downed 2-0 by the White Sox. He failed to strike out a batter.
The veteran southpaw wasn't fooling anyone as he managed only five swinging strikes on 82 pitches, but Corbin was able to minimize the damage against him, coming one out short of his second quality start of the season. He'll take a 5.59 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB through 48.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Twins.