MLB Player News

Wentz will serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Will Vest in Sunday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

After making each of his previous 12 appearances as a starter, Wentz will be deployed out of the bullpen for the first time this season. Wentz hasn't completed more than five innings in an outing since May 8 and holds a 7.49 ERA on the season. While coming on in relief should improve his chances of factoring into a decision, Wentz's poor ratios this season make him an unreliable streaming option.

Singer (4-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

Singer was coming off the best outing of his season (5.2 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts versus Colorado), but he struggled to maintain that success Saturday. It was the seventh time this year that the 26-year-old has allowed at least four runs, and he boasts an ugly 6.58 ERA overall. It's been a disappointing start to 2023 for Singer, who finished last year with a 3.23 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 150:35 K:BB across 153.1 innings (all career-best marks). He has shown signs of finding his 2022 form, finishing at least five innings while giving up two or fewer runs six times, but there hasn't been any consistency from the right-hander yet.

Abbott (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing five hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings against St. Louis. He struck out four.

Abbot got himself into jams in the first and fifth innings but managed to work his way out of them unscathed, and the Reds provided him with plenty of early run support. The rookie left-hander was especially effective with his four-seamer in the contest but struggled with the placement of his off-speed pitches throughout, which led to the three walks. Abbot has now won his first two starts for Cincinnati and has yet to allow a run over 11.2 innings despite issuing seven free passes over that stretch.

Kopech did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five hits and one walk over five scoreless innings against the Marlins. He struck out six.

It wasn't an ideal start to the contest for Kopech, as the right-hander beaned the first two hitters he faced to open the game. However, he quickly shook it off and proceeded to strike out the side to get himself out of trouble. Despite shutting out the Marlins over five innings, Kopech was still hit with a no-decision for the second straight start while lowering his ERA to 4.03 on the season. He's now allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, averaging 8.1 strikeouts per game over that stretch.

Alcantara did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings against the White Sox. He struck out four.

Alcantara held the White Sox lineup in check for most of the day and managed to pitch his way out of a few jams, allowing just one run on a leadoff homer to Andrew Vaughn in the fourth inning. The right-hander produced 13 of his outs on groundballs for the second straight start while lowering his ERA from 5.07 to 4.75 on the season, though he was still unable to nab his third victory. It's been a tough road for the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, who's recorded just one win since April 14.

The Dodgers promoted Sheehan from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Josh Thomas of DodgersDigest.com reports.

The hard-throwing right-hander has emerged as the top pitching prospect in the Los Angeles system this season and will be rewarded with a move to the top rung of the minors after he submitted a 1.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 88:23 K:BB across 53.1 innings in the Texas League. The 23-year-old complements his upper-90s fastball with a plus changeup and a slider that flashes as a plus pitch, giving him the sort of repertoire that could give him a chance at becoming a high-end starter in the big leagues if he can keep his walks in check. Though a promotion to the majors didn't seem to be in the cards for Sheehan at the onset of the 2023 season, the myriad injuries to the Dodgers rotation along with his own dominant start to the campaign suddenly make him a name to at least monitor in redraft leagues, if not stash on a roster.

Oviedo (3-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings as the Pirates were downed 5-1 by the Mets. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed 90 pitches (55 strikes) en route to his second straight quality start and sixth of the season, but Pittsburgh's batters provided him with little support and managed only three hits on the night. Oviedo hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last six outings, posting a 2.62 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 30:19 K:BB through 34.1 innings over that stretch. The 25-year-old will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come on the road next week against the Cubs.

Senga (6-3) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-1 victory over the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on two hits and four walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander continues to have trouble getting the ball over the plate -- he's issued at least three walks in 10 of his first 12 MLB starts -- but Senga has been mostly successful lately in making sure the free passes don't come back to bite him. Since the beginning of May, he's posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB while serving up only two homers in 38.2 innings. He's next set to take the mound at home next weekend against the Cardinals.

McKenzie (0-1) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

McKenzie dazzled in his season debut against Minnesota last Sunday, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 batters over five scoreless innings. He looked far more mortal Saturday, surrendering three runs in the first frame and two more in the fourth en route to the loss. On the plus side, McKenzie missed plenty of bats in inducing 15 swinging strikes, so there's evidence to suggest that his previous start wasn't a mirage. The right-hander is tentatively lined up for a road start in Arizona his next time out.

Freeland didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Padres, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw continues to pitch surprisingly well at Coors Field, but the Rockies' bullpen couldn't protect a 2-1 lead and cost Freeland his fifth win. The 30-year-old will carry a 3.91 ERA and 49:19 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, likely to come next week in Atlanta.