MLB Player News

Cantillo (1-3) earned the win over the White Sox on Monday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out 10 batters over seven innings.

Cantillo made things look easy against an unintimidating White Sox lineup, racking up 14 whiffs and carrying a perfect game into the bottom of the seventh frame. The rookie southpaw faded a bit in that inning, giving up a pair of two-out singles sandwiched around a wild pitch that allowed Chicago to get on the scoreboard, but that took only a tiny bit of shine off what was by far the best performance of his big-league career thus far. Given Cantillo's performance Monday, it wouldn't be surprising if he gets another turn in the rotation, though it's not clear how Cleveland would adjust its rotation to fit him in -- his opportunity Monday came as a result of the struggling Ben Lively having his scheduled start pushed back.

Singer didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out three.

All three runs attributed to Singer came in the fourth inning when Singer yielded a pair of hits -- including a two-run home run to Alex Verdugo -- and a walk. The start pushed Singer's season inning total to a career-high 163.1 and the right-hander holds a 3.42 ERA and a 153:46 K:BB. He's on track to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Rodon didn't factor into the decision Monday against Kansas City, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out nine.

Rodon fanned eight or more batters for a third straight start but gave up his third and fourth home runs of that stretch Monday. Both long balls charged to Rodon were solo shots, coming off the bats of Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe. Still, the left-handed pitcher held on for the quality start. Rodon is tentatively scheduled for a home start against the Red Sox this weekend.

Megill didn't factor into the decision Monday against Toronto, allowing one hit and two walks with nine strikeouts across six scoreless innings.

The 28-year-old made another turn in the rotation Monday with Paul Blackburn (hand) not ready to come off the IL. Megill made his case to remain a starter, fanning nine Blue Jays as part of his second scoreless start of the season. Megill has a 2.35 ERA with an 18:4 K:BB across 15.1 innings during his last three starts. If he makes another start, it would likely come against the Phillies this weekend.

Bello (13-7) picked up the win Monday against Baltimore, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Just 62 of Bello's 101 pitches found the strike zone Monday, and he tied his career high in walks. The right-hander was given an extra day of rest between starts, making an appearance against Baltimore on Monday instead of the lowly White Sox. Through 27 starts, Bello has a 4.70 ERA and a 140:58 K:BB across 147.1 innings. He's one of 12 pitchers to have 13 or more wins. Bello is tentatively scheduled to face the Yankees this weekend.

Povich (2-8) took the loss Monday against Boston, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Three of the five hits Povich allowed went for extra bases, including a two-run home run to Rob Refsnyder and a solo homer to Tyler O'Neill. Povich has surrendered four or more runs in three of his last four starts, though he blanked the White Sox in 7.1 innings during the other outing. Overall, the left-hander has a 5.91 ERA across 64 innings this season. He's tentatively scheduled to close out a two-start week Sunday against the Tigers.

Sanchez came away with a no-decision Monday against the Rays. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings.

Sanchez got through six innings and exited the game with the possibility of picking up his 11th win, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Monday was Sanchez's fourth start this season of six or more innings without allowing a run and his first such start since June. The 27-year-old has followed up his breakout 2023 season with 16 quality starts and a 3.33 ERA through 165 innings.

The Cubs are hopeful Steele will be cleared to throw a bullpen session at some point during the current road trip, which runs until Sunday in Colorado, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Manager Craig Counsell noted that Steele hasn't experienced any issues while playing catch, so the next step will be for the southpaw to resume throwing off a mound. He'll likely be asked to complete a side session or two before getting the green light to face live hitters.

Bellozo (2-3) took the loss Monday against the Pirates. He allowed three runs (one earned) over 5.1 innings with six hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

Bellozo battled Monday but was on the wrong end of another dominating performance by Paul Skenes. Bellozo threw six shutout innings in a no-decision his last time out following back-to-back starts of six or more runs, so Monday's start is another positive sign. The rookie right-hander has allowed two runs or less in seven of his 10 starts this season, but in his other three starts he's allowed 17 runs. Bellozo's 15.4 percent strikeout rate would be the worst mark among qualified big-league starters if he'd thrown enough innings to qualify.

Skenes (10-2) got the win Monday over the Marlins, giving up one run on six hits and one walk while striking out nine over six innings.

Skenes was sharp yet again Monday, holding the Marlins to one run through six innings. Skenes recorded nine strikeouts and surpassed Cy Blanton in 1935 for the most strikeouts by a Pirates rookie in franchise history. Skenes now has 151 strikeouts this season, making him the fifth pitcher since 1920 with 150 or more strikeouts in his first 20 pitching appearances. The 22-year-old lowered his ERA to 2.10, and he now has 14 quality starts in his first 20 big-league appearances.