MLB Player News

Civale (hamstring) didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Pirates after striking out three batters and allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks in four innings.

Civale turned in an up-and-down performance in his first start for Milwaukee since March 30 after he had been on the 15-day injured list for nearly two months while recovering from a strained left hamstring. The 29-year-old right-hander has now given up four home runs over only seven innings this season, and he also hit a batter Thursday while throwing just 42 of his 73 pitches for strikes. Civale was operating under a restricted workload in his return, but he should be able to push his pitch count up to the 80-to-90 range in his next start, which will likely come early next week against the Red Sox in MIlwaukee.

Flaherty (2-6) allowed three runs on three hits across 6.2 innings and took the loss Thursday against the Guardians. He walked three and struck out eight.

Flaherty logged his first quality start since April 22 but still sustained his sixth loss over his last seven starts. The righty has struggled to keep the ball in the park recently, as he allowed a home run Thursday and has now served up 10 long balls across 36.2 innings during those seven appearances. Overall, Flaherty is sitting with a 4.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 53.1 innings this season, and he'll look to get back into the win column in his next outing, which is tentatively penciled in for Tuesday against the Giants.

Smith-Shawver allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus Washington on Thursday.

Smith-Shawver's start was pushed back a day after Wednesday's rainout, and he didn't pitch well. The right-hander endured his worst start of the season, with the second and fourth innings being particularly troublesome. One silver lining was that he didn't allow a home run, but this start was discouraging after he'd allowed just two runs (one earned) across his first 19.2 innings in May. He's now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 41.2 innings over eight starts this season. Smith-Shawver's next outing is projected to be at Philadelphia, which is a tough matchup but one that will allow fantasy managers to see if he can bounce back effectively.

Williams allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Williams was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, but that day's contest was rained out. The right-hander didn't benefit from the extra rest, struggling out of the gate by allowing first-inning solo home runs to Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna. The Nationals bounced back from that, but Williams was charged with three more runs in the fourth. He's now surrendered at least four runs in five straight starts, with Thursday being his shortest outing of the season. Williams has a 6.39 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB across 49.1 innings over 10 starts. He's tentatively projected for a road start in Seattle next week.

Gilbert (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game ahead of Friday's game against the Astros, Tim Booth of the Seattle Times reports.

Gilbert threw his first up-and-down bullpen session last Saturday, and he's now set to advance in his throwing progression. The right-hander is working his way back from a right elbow flexor strain, and he still has a chance to return to the Mariners' rotation before the end of May if all continues to go well. That said, Seattle's plans for Gilbert remain undecided as it relates to a possible rehab assignment, but the righty's next steps should become clearer following Friday's session.

Anderson allowed five runs on seven hits and six walks across 4.2 innings in a no-decision Thursday against the A's. He didn't record a strikeout.

It was a rough day for Anderson, who issued a season-high six walks, including a pair with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. After pitching to a 2.58 ERA in his first eight outings, Anderson's now allowed nine runs on 14 hits across 9.2 innings in his last two starts. The veteran left-hander's ERA now sits at 3.60 through 10 starts (55 innings) this season with a 1.24 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB. It won't get easier for Anderson in his next outing -- he's currently lined up for a tough home matchup with the Yankees.

Severino did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Angels. He allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out five across six innings.

It's the second straight quality start for Severino, though the right-hander still doesn't have a win since April 19, as the A's bullpen would cough up eight runs after Severino departed. Overall, the 31-year-old is 1-4 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB through 11 starts (65.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up to face the Astros on the road in his next outing.

The Rockies are expected to recall Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Friday's game against the Yankees, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Gordon will be taking the place of Chase Dollander (forearm), who landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. The 27-year-old Gordon gave up four earned runs in 6.1 innings during his season debut against the Tigers earlier this month, and he hasn't had much success in Triple-A either, logging a 6.23 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 39 frames. Given his recent body of work and an upcoming matchup against one of the most formidable offenses in the majors, fantasy managers are safe to keep Gordon off their radar.

Francis took a no-decision in Thursday's 7-6 victory over the Padres, throwing four innings and allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Francis was lifted from the ballgame after four solid innings of work Thursday, but he's now failed to last five frames in five of his past six starts. The right-hander's struggle to keep the ball in the yard continued as he has now allowed a home run in eight of his 10 starts this season, bringing his total up to a staggering 15 on the year.

Marquez (1-7) took the loss Thursday against the Phillies, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

While Colorado failed to provide Marquez with any run support in an eventual shutout loss, it was an encouraging performance from the right-hander, who's now held opponents to just one earned run over seven innings in two of his last three starts. Still, the 30-year-old Marquez remains a risky commodity for fantasy purposes -- his ERA still sits at an ugly 7.66 with a 1.68 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB across 10 starts (47 innings). Marquez currently lines up for a tough road matchup with the Cubs in his next outing.