MLB Player News

Hicks (4-7) took the loss Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing four runs on three hits and five walks while striking out seven over 3.2 innings.

Hicks began the game by striking out Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith but then a hit-by-pitch, a walk and a two-out double from Gavin Lux gave the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead. Hicks was able to get through the next two innings scoreless despite walking three more batters. The Dodgers would then tack on two more runs in the fourth on a double from Ohtani, which would end Hicks' day at 92 pitches. Walks have been a problem for Hicks throughout his career, but his five free passes Tuesday were a season high. He hasn't pitched past the fifth since May 31 and hasn't picked up a win since May 19. Hicks now owns a 4.01 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 90:41 K:BB in 98.2 innings. Robbie Ray (elbow) is set to return to the rotation Wednesday and Alex Cobb (hip) is not far behind, leaving Hicks as the potential odd man out of the rotation. For now, the right-hander is scheduled to make his next start at home versus Colorado this weekend.

The Reds recalled Richardson from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Richardson was recalled ahead of Tuesday's game against Atlanta before being optioned to Triple-A after the contest was postponed. However, he never actually left the club and now will be temporarily added back to the active roster as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader in Atlanta. Richardson is a good bet to eat some innings after Nick Martinez in the second game of the twin bill before the Reds send him back to Louisville.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that McDermott will be called up from Triple-A Norfolk to start Wednesday against the Marlins, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

McDermott's promotion already appeared imminent after he joined the Orioles' taxi squad in Miami on Tuesday, and Hyde confirmed that the 25-year-old righty would fill the opening in the rotation created by Cade Povich's demotion to Triple-A shortly before the All-Star break. Over 20 appearances (19 starts) at Norfolk this season, McDermott posted a 3.96 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while piling up 129 strikeouts over 91 innings. Though McDermott should be able to continue generating swings and misses in the big leagues on the back of his mid-to-upper 90s fastball and a sharp slider, control remains a concern for the young righty, who has walked 13.5 percent of the batters he's faced in the minors this season. A matchup with a weak Miami lineup at least offers McDermott a soft landing spot in his MLB debut.

Atlanta recalled Winans from Triple-A Gwinnett. He'll start the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Reds at Truist Park.

Left-hander Dylan Dodd was sent out to Triple-A Gwinnett to open up room on the roster for Winans, who is back with Atlanta for the first time since April 11, when he gave up seven runs (six earned) over five innings in a spot start versus the Mets. Winans could have the opportunity to stick around with Atlanta on a more permanent basis this time around, as the club has an opening in the rotation while Max Fried (forearm) is on the shelf. The right-hander will first need to acquit himself well in Wednesday's start before putting himself in consideration for additional turns through the rotation.

Berrios (8-8) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on three hits and six walks over 4.2 innings as the Blue Jays fell 4-2 to the Rays. He struck out five.

The six free passes were a season worst for Berrios, topping the four he'd issued in his last start July 13. The right-hander also served up a solo shot to Brandon Lowe, and in his last nine outings dating back to the beginning of June, he's been taken deep 12 times while stumbling to a 6.02 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 34:21 K:BB through 49.1 innings. Berrios will try to get back on track in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Rangers.

Woods Richardson didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Philadelphia, allowing three hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six scoreless innings.

Woods Richardson was locked into a pitchers' duel with Zack Wheeler, with no runs scored until the ninth inning Tuesday. The performance marked Woods Richardson's first scoreless start since May and extended his streak of starts allowing three or fewer runs to six. The 23-year-old holds a 3.27 ERA with 76 strikeouts across 88 innings this season. He's on track to face the Mets at Citi Field early next week.

The Twins recalled Festa from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Festa started in his two appearances with the Twins earlier this season back on June 27 and July 3, giving up 12 earned runs while striking out eight batters over 10 innings. Though the Twins have an opening in the rotation for Wednesday's game against the Phillies after Chris Paddack (forearm) landed on the injured list, Festa looks set to work as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Reliever Steven Okert will start the contest and likely work an inning or two before giving way to Festa, who owns a 4.06 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 93:28 K:BB over 64.1 innings at Triple-A this season.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across seven scoreless innings against Minnesota.

Wheeler was removed from his July 9 start with back spasms and missed a turn in the rotation due to the issue. He took the mound Tuesday for the first time since and didn't skip a beat. Wheeler struck out seven batters for a third consecutive start and garnered his 15th quality start of the year. The 34-year-old has a 2.55 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to pair with a 133:37 K:BB across 123.3 innings this season. He lines up to face the Yankees early next week.

Alexander (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing three hits over three scoreless innings of relief in a 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The southpaw entered the game in the third inning after Shawn Armstrong gave the Rays two scoreless innings as the opener, and Alexander kept the goose eggs coming to lower his ERA on the season to 5.88. It was his first appearance in the majors since May 30, but Alexander's latest stint as a bulk reliever figures to be a short one with both Jeffrey Springs (elbow) and Ryan Pepiot (knee) expected to rejoin the rotation in late July or early August. Alexander will likely get one more turn, however, and lines up for an outing at home against the Reds this weekend.

Gilbert (6-6) took the loss to the Angels on Tuesday, allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out eight over 6.2 innings.

Gilbert retired the first 12 batters he faced before things completely unraveled in the fifth. He allowed three base hits in the inning, and two throwing errors played a part in the Angels tacking on all five of their runs in the frame. Still, it was his third straight start of more than six innings, a span during which he's compiled a 24:2 K:BB in 21.1 innings. Gilbert only has one win over his last five starts despite posting four quality starts over that timeframe. He now has a 2.72 ERA (fifth lowest in MLB) and an 0.86 WHIP (lowest in MLB) to complement a 132:26 K:BB in 139 innings and lines up to face the Red Sox on the road to begin next week.