MLB Player News

Hancock didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Minnesota, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with no strikeouts over four innings.

Hancock failed to tally a single strikeout Tuesday -- generating just five swinging strikes -- and he yielded all four hits and four runs in the third frame. Hancock couldn't get out of the inning despite retiring the first two batters he faced, allowing a single, walk, RBI single and three-run home run to consecutive batters. Considering Bryan Woo (elbow) just threw five innings in a rehab start and is eligible to come off the injured list Friday, Hancock may be sent to the bullpen or the minors instead of sticking around in the rotation for another start. In seven starts this year, Hancock owns a 5.24 ERA and a 23:11 K:BB over 34.1 innings.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against San Diego, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk across seven innings. He struck out eight.

Imanaga allowed more than five hits for the first time this season and tied his season-high earned-run total, but it was hardly a disappointing start for the rookie, who's arguably been the best starter in baseball. He blanked the Padres through seven innings but allowed an infield single to Luis Arraez and a home run to Jurickson Profar in the eighth before being pulled. Imanaga has fanned seven or more batters in three straight starts, and the Cubs are 7-0 overall in his starts. The lefty is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Tuesday in Atlanta.

Montas (2-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

Montas wound up spending the minimum 15 days on the IL after he was struck by a line drive in his last start, resulting in a bruised forearm. The 31-year-old right-hander was sharp in his return, though he'd ultimately wind up with the loss as the Reds' offense couldn't break through against Zac Gallen. Montas now sports a 3.55 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across his first six starts (25.1 innings) with Cincinnati. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Giants on Sunday in his next outing.

Gallen (4-2) earned the win Tuesday over the Reds, allowing one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Gallen had gone 11 days between starts after suffering a hamstring injury on April 26 against Seattle. He certainly looked healthy Tuesday, holding Cincinnati to one hit en route to his third scoreless outing this season. It's an encouraging effort from Gallen, who'd dropped his previous two starts, allowing eight runs over 10 innings in that span. He lowered his ERA to 2.84 with a 1.13 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB across seven starts (38 innings) this year. Gallen's currently in line for a road start Sunday against the Orioles in his next outing.

Allen did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Tigers, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

It was a brutal night for Allen, with four of Detroit's runs coming on a pair of Andy Ibanez home runs in the first two innings. However, he was spared a third straight loss, as Cleveland answered the Tigers' four-run second inning with five runs in the bottom of the frame. It's been a tough start to Allen's sophomore campaign -- he's 3-2 with a 6.41 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB through 39.1 innings. He's already given up nine home runs after surrendering 16 in 24 starts last season. Allen will look to turn things around in his next outing, currently lined up for Sunday versus the White Sox.

Maeda allowed seven runs on five hits across only two innings of work but did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 11-7 win over the Guardians. He walked three and struck out one.

Maeda wasn't very good in this one, but he escaped his second loss of the season thanks to a ton of run support. The veteran righty is now sitting with a subpar 6.75 ERA across his first seven starts with the Tigers, though he had only allowed one run over 11 innings in his previous two appearances coming into Tuesday, so there were some signs he was turning things around before this dud. Home runs have been a problem, as the 36-year-old has now allowed nine of them in 30.2 innings. Maeda will look to keep the ball in the park and post a better line in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Monday against the Marlins.

Bello (lat) said Tuesday that he will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Nationals, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Bello made a rehab appearance Tuesday at Double-A Portland, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters across 2.2 innings. Despite his unremarkable performance, the right-hander said he came away from the start without any pain and is ready to return to Boston's rotation. Bello holds a 3.04 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 26.2 innings so far this year.

Stripling (1-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing 11 runs (five earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was certainly an outing to forget for Stripling -- after allowing a leadoff homer to Marcus Semien in the first inning, the right-hander allowed the first seven batters to reach in the second as Texas would put up a 10 spot in the frame. Stripling had held opponents to three runs or fewer in four straight starts prior to Wednesday's implosion. His ERA is now up to 5.14 with a 1.57 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through eight starts (42 innings) this year. Stripling will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for this weekend in Seattle.

The Marlins optioned Munoz to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Munoz will head back to the minors after giving up six earned runs in 4.2 innings during Monday's loss to the Dodgers. George Soriano was recalled from Jacksonville to fill Munoz's roster spot, though Jesus Luzardo (elbow) and Braxton Garrett (shoulder) could return from their rehab assignments within the next several days to help fill the open spot in Miami's rotation.

Peterson (hip) struck out four and allowed one hit and no walks over three innings Friday for Single-A St. Lucie in the second start of his rehab assignment.

Peterson has now permitted just one baserunner while striking out nine over his first two rehab starts with St. Lucie and could be ready for a stiffer test with a higher-level affiliate. He built up to 41 pitches (23 strikes) on Friday and will likely need to bring his count up to around 75 before the Mets feel comfortable bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. After opening the season on the shelf while he continued his recovery from left hip surgery, Peterson won't be eligible for activation until late May.