MLB Player News

Blanco (4-0) earned the win over the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.

Blanco was a bit shaky with his control, as he threw just 62 of 107 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with four free passes. However, he allowed just one extra-base hit -- an Anthony Volpe two-run homer that accounted for both runs against him. Blanco thus improved his perfect record to 4-0 on the season, and he's allowed three or fewer runs in all seven of his starts. He's also recorded five quality starts on the campaign, falling one out shy in each of his two outings during which he hasn't met that mark. Blanco has cemented his place in Houston's rotation with a 2.23 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 44.1 innings.

Winn (3-5) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 3.2 innings.

Winn actually carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning, but things completely unraveled for him in that frame. The Rockies teed off on the right-hander for six straight hits -- including two doubles, a triple and a homer -- before he was able to record an out, with the damage resulting in six runs. Winn momentarily recovered to retire two batters before Charlie Blackmon ended his outing with another triple. After recording three straight quality starts and victories to end April, Winn has been blown up for 12 runs over 4.1 frames across his past two starts.

Quantrill (2-3) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

The only run and only extra-base hit Quantrill allowed came on a fourth-inning Michael Conforto solo homer. The right-handed hurler was otherwise in control throughout, as no other baserunner reached third base against him. Quantrill picked up his second straight win, and he has five quality starts over his past six appearances. That gives him some fantasy viability, but given his home park, mediocre strikeout numbers and season 3.94 ERA, he's probably still best reserved for deeper leagues.

Greene did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Greene's final line ultimately could've looked a lot worse after he issued a season-high five walks. The 24-year-old Greene has given up nine free passes over his last two starts (10.2 innings), though he's managed to hold opponents to just three runs in that span. Overall, he's 1-2 on the season with a 1.24 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB through eight starts (45.1 innings). Greene's currently slated for a rematch with the Diamondbacks on the road in his next outing.

Cecconi did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

Cecconi was sharp Thursday, blanking the Reds until Jeimer Candelario's solo home run in the fifth inning. It was a nice bounce-back outing from the 24-year-old right-hander after he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings during a loss to San Diego in his previous outing. Overall, Cecconi is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through his first four starts (21.2 innings). He figures to remain in the rotation while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) are sidelined. Cecconi's currently in line for a home rematch with the Reds in his next outing.

Lopez (4-2) earned the win Thursday over the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out 10.

Lopez was excellent Thursday, holding Seattle to a lone second-inning run while recording a season-high 10 strikeouts. After an inconsistent start to the campaign, Lopez looks to be settling in -- he's won his last three starts while holding opponents to one run in back-to-back outings. He lowered his ERA to 3.89 with a 0.98 WHIP and a stellar 55:8 K:BB across eight starts (44 innings) this year. Lopez is currently slated for a home matchup with the Yankees in his next outing.

Gilbert (3-1) took the loss Thursday against the Twins, allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Five of Minnesota's runs came in the first inning, including three on a Manuel Margot double. Gilbert hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in his previous five starts, recording quality starts in six of his previous seven outings. His ERA went from 1.69 to 2.94 after Thursday with a 0.94 WHIP and 54:15 K:BB across 52 innings. Gilbert will look to get back on track in his next turn in the rotation, currently scheduled for next week against Kansas City.

Rom underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder last week, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It sounds as though the operation wound up being less invasive than initially anticipated, with a return before the end of the season for Rom not totally ruled out. The left-hander had been plagued by shoulder issues since mid-March before finally opting for surgery.

Woo (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Athletics, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Woo has been on the injured list all year due to right elbow inflammation, but he has now been given the green light to make his season debut with the Mariners. The 24-year-old righty did not give up a run through 11.1 innings during his three rehab starts at Triple-A Tacoma, and he managed to strikeout 17 batters while walking none. Emerson Hancock is expected to be optioned to Tacoma once Woo is activated.

Gasser will be promoted from Triple-A Nashville to start Friday's game against the Cardinals, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers were forced into a six-man rotation after Freddy Peralta was hit with a five-game suspension, and the team will now call upon one of its top pitching prospects to fill the open spot. The 24-year-old Gasser got off to a late start after a bone spur in his elbow sidelined him for the first several weeks of the season, and he has posted a 5.25 ERA and 1.50 WHIP alongside a 17:6 K:BB through 12 innings in Triple-A since returning. Gasser may be sent back to Nashville after making his MLB debut Friday, though a strong start could allow him to stay in Milwaukee, as the Brewers have struggled with rotation depth to begin the year.