MLB Player News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Henderson might not make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals due to back tightness, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Henderson went five scoreless frames versus the Dodgers his last time out, despite his back tightening up on him after the second inning. Murphy said Monday of Henderson's back issue that "there's reason for concern," adding that the club will "keep a really close eye on it" before determining the righty's readiness for Wednesday's contest. It's unclear who might draw the start Wednesday if Henderson is unable to go, as it could depend on which pitchers are needed in relief in the first two games of the series.

Wicks will start for the Cubs during Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday to take the roster spot vacated by the injured Edward Cabrera (finger) and will also slide into Cabrera's open rotation slot. The left-handed Wicks allowed a total of just one run over his last three starts at Iowa, though that came with a 12:8 K:BB over 15 innings. Wicks is likely to get at least one additional start this weekend in St. Louis, though that could change if he fares poorly Tuesday.

Littell is slated to follow an opener in Monday's game against the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Left-hander PJ Poulin will open things for the Nationals before Littell carries the bulk of the workload. Littell had a rough April but has settled in in May, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 17.2 frames covering two starts and two bulk-relief appearances.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Petty was up as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, getting charged with four runs over five frames as a spot starter in the night cap of the twin bill. He's permitted seven earned runs across 10.2 frames during his brief time with the Reds this season. Petty will now rejoin the rotation at Louisville.

Bubic (elbow) started a full throwing program Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Bubic landed on the injured list Monday due to left elbow soreness, though it didn't take long for the southpaw to ramp up his throwing activity. While he's likely to remain shelved beyond the minimum 15 days and may require a rehab assignment, the early progress is an encouraging sign for the 28-year-old. Prior to the injury, Bubic posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

Gore did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on a hit and two walks over six innings against the Angels. He struck out seven.

Gore was stellar on the mound, allowing just three Angels to reach base as part of a superb pitcher's duel with Reid Detmers. It was an incredibly encouraging outing for Gore, particularly considering he was pulled after just one inning in his previous start due to left lat tightness. It has been an up-and-down start to the 27-year-old's first season with the Rangers, as he owns a 4.42 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 62:26 K:BB across 55 innings (11 starts). Gore is tentatively slated to make his next start Friday against the Royals.

Detmers did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on a hit and no walks over eight innings against Texas. He struck out 14.

Detmers was utterly dominant, logging a season high in innings while matching Emerson Hancock for the highest single-game strikeout total in MLB this season. His lone blemish was a Jake Burger solo homer in the second inning, as otherwise Detmers carved through the Rangers' lineup while impressively issuing no walks. Though the southpaw was unable to pick up the win, Sunday marked a massive bounce-back effort after he posted a 6.33 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 21.1 innings over his previous four outings. The 26-year-old will carry a 1-5 record with a 4.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB across 63 innings (11 starts) into his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against Tampa Bay.

Woo (4-3) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Sunday's start broke up a string of four consecutive outings with six innings for Woo, who yielded his second-most runs of the season as well. It was just the second time this year that the 26-year-old right-hander failed to pitch at least five innings, as he had been cruising along until Kansas City torched him for four runs in the fifth frame. Woo will bring a 3.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 59:14 K:BB over 63.2 innings into his next scheduled outing at home against Arizona.

Lugo (2-4) earned the win Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out three.

Lugo served up a rare home run, his third allowed this year, but otherwise provided a solid performance Sunday. Although it was his seventh quality start already this season, the 36-year-old right-hander has surrendered at least three runs in four of his past six outings after yielding two or fewer in his previous five appearances. Lugo will carry a decent 3.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:23 K:BB over 65 innings into his next scheduled start in Texas against the Rangers.

Nelson (2-3) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over eight innings against the Rockies. He struck out three.

Nelson was locked in and efficient, holding the Rockies to just one run while completing eight innings for the first time in his career. The right-hander has logged seven-plus innings in each of his past three starts and owns a 2.36 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 34.1 innings (five starts) in May. He'll look to stay in the win column next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Mariners.